This may soon be a familiar logo.
Though the Centrino branding has remained essentially unchanged since it was introduced in 2003, it doesn't mean the platform technology has been stagnant.
From Carmel to Sonoma, Napa and Santa Rosa, advanced manufacturing techniques have made processors and chipsets faster yet consume less juice. Though the Napa era was the start of the multicore, it still wasn't deemed worthy as the next-generation Centrino. The only inkling to the end user that things were different was that the tag "Duo" had been added to the Centrino label.
All this has changed with the new Montevina platform, which is based on 45nm manufacturing technology. Instead of mere performance improvements, Centrino 2 offers a range of features which take into account the changes in computing usage patterns, particularly in the area of videos. As Mooly Eden, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel's Mobile Platforms Group, puts it: "When we first introduced Intel Centrino back in 2003, there were very few Wi-Fi hotspots, YouTube videos and social media didn't really exist." Centrino 2 systems are designed with connectivity and HD entertainment in mind.
But should you ditch your old system and jump onto the new bandwagon without a thought? Have a look at what Centrino 2 has to offer before deciding.
Computing performance
Using the latest 45nm chips, the Penryn Core 2 Duo processors are said to be faster while consuming less power. According to Intel, the 2.8GHz Penryn chip takes 30 seconds less to perform a specific task compared with the previous-gen 2.33GHz model, while, at the same time, uses 60 percent less power.
The Intel Turbo Memory feature has also been given a boost, with the maximum RAM upped to 2GB. This component is supposed to reduce boot times while increasing battery life and performance. However, its previous iteration didn't really impress reviewers all that much, so we'll have to wait and see if the new implementation has improved.
Graphics
Integrated graphics has finally entered the DirectX 10 era. The GM45 and GM47 mainboards hold Intel's X4500HD video chips which are capable of decoding both H.264 and VC-1 codecs without having to resort to CPU power — meaning Blu-ray playback should be smooth and uninterrupted. The GM47 version has slightly better performance in this area, thanks to its 640MHz GPU, compared with the 533MHz model in GM45. With more and more LCD TVs being found in homes, it's also timely that HDMI ports are part of the Centrino 2 standard, as is DisplayPort should it ever take off. The GM45 and 47 models however have been delayed for a while — the laptops you'll find on the shelves today all contain the PM45 chipset, which is paired with discrete graphics from NVIDIA or ATI.
Another interesting twist to this story is that there is now an optional feature which allows the user to switch between the integrated GPU and discrete video card. Though this functionality has existed on Sony VAIO SZ series notebooks, the Centrino 2 implementation kicks in automatically and does not require the system to reboot. Unfortunately, unlike AMD's Puma platform which lets the system use both integrated and discrete solutions simultaneously, Intel's version is an either-or model.
Connectivity
Anticipating more prevalent HD video downloads as well as greater penetration of home media networks, Centrino 2 laptops will come with Gigabit Ethernet ports and 802.11n radios as standard. Moreover, as one of its primary supporters, Intel is offering WiMAX connectivity as an option on the new platform — Australia is not expected to see this until 2009, although that assumes WiMax manages widespread adoption by then. Another interesting adoption is native eSATA support, and we can't wait to see more of these ports included by default on laptops.
Intel has also offered it's X9100 mobile processor, which comes with "overspeed protection" removed, meaning overclockers can get in and run the chip faster than intended, assuming the manufacturer has offered support through the BIOS. While we doubt potential overclockers would care greatly due to the massively increased thermal constraints, it shows that Intel is serious about opening up the mobile market to gamers.
Security
This one is for the cubicle warrior. The latest Centrino 2 with vPro machines hold all the advantages of the vPro platform, but now include an anti-theft component. When the stolen PC is connected to the Internet, the system administrator can wipe out the encryption key on the hardware remotely, thereby rendering the data on the harddisk useless.
Models are already on sale, with the Toshiba A300, HP DV5-1010TX and ASUS M51VA available immediately, and other models expected to hit the shelves within the next month, in particular Sony's refresh slated for August 1. You can find information on at least the early release models here, on Intel's website.
While Centrino 2 isn't a revolution, by enforcing a decent standard it certainly looks to improve your day to day computing and if you're out looking for a new laptop, we'd certainly recommend keeping an eye out for the new Centrino 2 badge.
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