Centrino officially emerges

 

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Posted on 12 Mar 2003 at 10:39

Today Intel officially unveils its much trailed Centrino technology, a ground-up redesign of its mobile processor technology

As well as wireless networking, the new technology is designed to extend battery life for notebooks and support thinner and lighter notebooks.

To read PC Pro reviews of Centrino-based machines from Toshiba and Acer, click here:
Toshiba Tecra M1 - 1.6GHz Pentium-M Notebook
Acer TravelMate 800 - 1.6GHz Pentium-M Notebook

For an in-depth look at the technology, click here: Intel Centrino mobile technology

Centrino is the overall 'brand' for Intel's new approach to mobile processing. It includes three components: a 'Pentium-M' processor (which was codenamed Banias), an Intel 855PM or 855GM motherboard chipset, and on-board Intel Pro Wireless LAN support. These components will be available separately, but only when together do they represent the Centrino brand.

For example, notebooks fitted with the new Pentium-M processors might appear but such a machine could not be described as a Centrino model.

The reason for this branding constraint is that Intel is trying to guarantee the experience users have of wireless computing. It has been putting in a lot of effort - as we recently reported - verifying the new Centrino technology against Wi-Fi hot spots around the world. A more cynical perspective, however, would be that the Centrino brand helps Intel to better control the market for processors and chipsets

As of the launch of Centrino, there are six versions of the Pentium-M processors. As well as 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, and 1.3GHz versions (priced at $720, $506, $377, $292 respectively based on 1,000 unit quantities) there is a 1.1GHz low-voltage processor and an ultra-low-voltage processor operating at 900 MHz (these are priced at $345 and $324 respectively).

The two Centrino-approved chipsets are the 855GM with built-in Intel Extreme Graphics 2 technology, and the 855PM supporting separate graphics processing.

The wireless component of Centrino is the Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection, which works with 802.11b Wi-Fi certified access points.

'Unwiring the PC will change the way people use computers, allowing them to communicate, be productive or be entertained wherever and whenever they want," said Craig Barrett, Intel's CEO. 'Our focus on integrating all the elements of mobility allows Intel Centrino mobile technology to deliver an outstanding wireless computing experience and marks the first time we've put a combination of technologies under a single brand.'

Author: Alun Williams