New Intel Centrino 2 processor technology brings ‘HD-to-Go,’ more
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jul 15, 2008 at 11:52am
Intel has unveiled its Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology products for laptops today, powered by five new Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Doubtless they’re headed for Macs sooner rather than later.
Intel has also introduced what it says is the world’s highest-performing dual-core mobile processor, the Intel Core 2 Extreme processor running at a 3.06GHz. What’s more, the company says it also plans to unveil eight processors within 90 days that will include first-ever mobile quad-core products and second-generation products for ultra-thin and light notebooks. In total, Intel will bring 14 new processors into the marketplace as laptop sales continue to outpace desktop computer sales.
Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology improve upon every facet of a laptop’s main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless (with WiMAX arriving later this year), and new business-class manageability capabilities, says Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the company’s Mobile Platforms Group.
Intel is introducing five dual core processors based on Intel’s reinvented transistors (high-k metal gate formula) and advanced 45-nanometer manufacturing process. These processors come with a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache; three versions reduce laptop processor wattage about 30 percent, down to just 25 watts. Also featured is Deep Power Down Technology that turns off processing components such as core clocks and cache memory when the laptop is idle for greater energy savings.
Intel also unveiled its Mobile Intel 45 Express Chipset and wireless Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series that’s shipping to customers now, with laptops arriving later in July and August. Delivering five times the speed and twice the range of older 802.11a/g technology, the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series provides 802.11 draft-N support that delivers the fastest data rates possible today—up to 450 Mbps, according to Eden.
Switchable graphics, a new optional power-saving feature available on Intel Centrino 2-based notebooks, provides both integrated and discrete graphics on a single notebook, enabling users to switch between the two options. Eden says that switchable graphics delivers greater 3-D performance when needed while providing the option for greater power savings for the best of both worlds.
For consumers, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology delivers the horsepower and battery life to enjoy a typical full-length, Blu-ray high-definition video on a single battery charge for the first time, plus the ability to play a variety of online games, download music or post videos faster than before, he adds. For businesses, Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology offers enhanced manageability and security options.
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 10,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
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