Intel recently released Centrino 2, its latest mobile platform, which it claims will increase laptop battery life while delivering speedier performance and faster wireless connectivity. Codenamed Montevina, Centrino 2 will include a second-generation Core 2 Duo processor, codenamed Penryn.
The chip, which is expected to have clock speeds ranging from 2.26 GHz to 3.06 GHz, is built using Intel's latest manufacturing process that multiplies the number of transistors on a die by shrinking them to 45 nanometers. The 45-nanometer chips will run at 25 watts, versus the usual 35 watts, meaning these notebooks should run longer at considerably cooler temperatures, according to Intel’s Web site.
The Penryn Core 2 Duo is coupled with 802.11n Wi-Fi and an integrated graphics chipset. The wireless component will be augmented later this year with built-in WiMax, but Intel claims that the current 802.11n antenna can manage 450Mbps data rates. The Centrino 2 will also be the first mobile platform to utilize DDR3 memory, the latest and fastest type of SDRAM.
The laptops will be able to handle 3D graphics and high-definition content through the new GMA X4500MHD integrated graphics processor. The chipset supports DirectX 10 and is capable of off-loading the processor by taking on heavier graphics loads by hardware-based decoding. Users will be able to watch a two-hour Blu-ray movie on a single six-cell battery charge, Intel officials said.
“Some users spend more time with their laptops than their wives, so it was important to include better entertainment options on Centrino 2 laptops,” said Mooly Eden vice president of mobile platforms at Intel.
Intel also announced Centrino 2 for vPro, which has security management features allowing remote fixes. This allows system administrators remote access to laptops via wireless even if the laptop is in sleep mode.
The latest Intel platform is expected to be used by the major computer makers, including Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Toshiba. Manufacturers that have lined up to use AMD's Puma include Acer, Asus, Fujitsu, HP, NEC, and Toshiba.
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