ATI's All-in-Wonder 9200, 9600, and 9600 XT - Wal-Mart dabbles in a bit of ATI
by Andrew Ku on May 17, 2004 12:05 PM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Final Words
Basically, things are similar to the situation back when ATI had the All-in-Wonder 8500 duo out, though there are two gamer targeted AIW cards out now (All-in-Wonder 9700 Pro and 9800 Pro). With a little bit for everybody, ATI is hitting all the highs and lows of the market that they can, similar to their desktop line.The odd thing is that ATI isn't selling the All-in-Wonder 9200, but still is selling the All-in-Wonder 9000 Pro, despite the fact that they have the same MSRP. Apparently, the All-in-Wonder 9200 is reserved for Wal-Mart for the moment, so ATI has to reserve the All-in-Wonder 9000 Pro as their value solution. From what ATI tells us, eventually they plan on selling the All-in-Wonder 9200 off their website, which will kill off the All-in-Wonder 9000 Pro.
Since it has been some time since ATI released the All-in-Wonder 9200, the price has already gone down at Wal-Mart and last time we checked, it was at $130.94, making it a cheaper card than the All-in-Wonder 9000 Pro, ironically. Keep in mind, though, that the All-in-Wonder 9200 doesn't come with a remote, but rather a coupon for 50% off the Remote Wonder that is limited to ATI's website. This means that you are going to have to shell out at least $25 (plus shipping) for it if you really want that remote.
But for those looking for a cheap, but decent, video card with a TV tuner, the All-in-Wonder 9600 hits the spot at $199. And for those more gamer prone, but still wanting a full range of multimedia features, the All-in-Wonder 9600 XT ($299) fits the niche nicely with dual VGA, a GPU faster than Radeon 9600 XT, and FM tuner.
As for us, we will stick with the All-in-Wonder 9600 XT, a new favorite here. And if there is one All-in-Wonder card that we are going to have to recommend, it is the AIW 9600 XT. A great tweaked graphics card, TV and FM tuning, as well as dual VGA make it a good one-size-fits-all-choice for just about anyone in the market for a multimedia card.
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PerfMan - Thursday, May 20, 2004 - link
Article says 9200 is not DirectX 9... but Walmart link says it is DirectX 9... So which is it?vedin - Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - link
Oh, and I agree with the other guys..Wally World blows chunks for trying to buy anything for a computer other than if you REALLY need to have a CD/DVD drive or something RIGHT THEN. Well, they're decently priced on media too. umm...that's about it.vedin - Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - link
I hate to nitpick but..I just saw this..."Yes, it is on red PCB, but this is one of those aesthetics that helps give the allusion that it is worth more than..."
You guys mean "Illusion" right? I ask because I didn't find a story that was meant to compare or explain anything in the article.
Revolutionary - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - link
bpt8056 said:But one thing that bothers me about Wal-Mart is that the consumer actually believe that they are buying computer components at a value price when they're not. I just walked into a Wal-mart nearby and they were still charging $178 for a GFX 5200 Ultra. The Radeon 9200 AIW was going at $149.
It's not just Walmart that pulls that crap. Almost every brick-and-mortar is up to that game. Go to Staples sometimes, ostensibly a purveyor of technology products, and look at their selection. The local here in Fairfax, VA (not small-town-USA) still sells Rad8500s for $159. The same is true of OfficeMax and Office Depot, and most Circuit City and CompUSA stores although the latter 2 usually offer the latest tech, just at huge premiums. (rant: BTW, CompUSA is for tools. They haven't offered a good deal, ever.)
bpt8056 - Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - link
I understand that the average joe at Wal-mart probably never understands computer components. But one thing that bothers me about Wal-Mart is that the consumer actually believe that they are buying computer components at a value price when they're not. I just walked into a Wal-mart nearby and they were still charging $178 for a GFX 5200 Ultra. The Radeon 9200 AIW was going at $149. Ouch!ChuckvB - Monday, May 17, 2004 - link
How about a little more information on the "HDTV addin" We've all heard about the HDTV addin card coming from ATI but why will it only work with 9600 and above. I assume this is a pass through setup like other HDTV cards so why would the main card matter?darkjedi1066 - Monday, May 17, 2004 - link
as far as windows in packaging goes, EVGA puts windows in theirs and Visiontek makes transparent plastic boxes, EVGA's are for content verification and Visiontek's are just cool to look at.It was a light slap at 5200 Ultras, Asylum was singled out because it was once (still is?) a Wal Mart Vendor...however, I had a Visiontek Radeon 9100 that would run neck and neck with a 5200U and cost 30% less...
WalMart doesn't always get it's way with vendors' pricing, either....ever noticed your favorite Coke or Pepsi product is usually cheaper at the local 7-11?
BTW, was there any criticism of BFG when they were a walmart vendor? I've seen 3DFx VooDoo5500s, PNY gf4ti4200's, 5200s and 5600s by BFG...XFX is selling low-end GF2MX400s and GF4MX4000's at the Wal Mart's in Tennessee ...they have windows in the boxes, too.
Oglethorpe - Monday, May 17, 2004 - link
Sorry about the duplication. Still learning the login process.It is valid to bash Wal Mart I think. Wal Mart makes demands on its vendors. Asking ATI to put a window on the packaging is not the end of Wal Mart's special requirements. They are known to demand cheaper prices, which initially makes the vendor more efficient, but later makes them cut into their quality.
ATI might have to turn into a two tier operation, one tier to compete on quality against Nvidia, the other tier to produce cut rate for Walmart.
Oglethorpe - Monday, May 17, 2004 - link
nserra - Monday, May 17, 2004 - link
Here is another ATI market. Multimedia Card's.Graphics chips market:
Multimedia - Best Ati.
Notebook - Best Ati.
Desktop Low end - Best Ati/Nvidia.
Desktop Middle end - Best Ati.
Desktop High end - Best Ati/Nvidia.
Professional/Workstation - Best Nvidia.