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Centrino posts

Intel rebrands: Core i3, i5, i7 are in, Centrino on the outs

by Ross Miller posted Jun 17th 2009 at 8:09PM

Intel's doing some spring cleaning on its branding structure, adding new Cores on the block. Joining the high-level Core i7 series will be the mid range Core i5 in the coming months and the lower-end Core i3's early next year. To be more specific, the Lynnfield chipsets will be either i5 or i7 depending on the feature set, Clarkfield mobile chips will be i7, and the 32nm Arrandale will at least at first fall under i3. Of course, with the new gang in town, some older monikers will be going wayside, and getting the slow fade out are Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, and Centrino, the latter being eventually marginalized for WiMAX and WiFi products only. Making the cut are Celeron, Pentium, and the ever-resilient Atom names. We're a bit sad to know there will never be a Core 2 Dodeca, but hey, it's only a name, right?. Hit up the read link for more details, including a video interview with Intel's VP of Marketing Deborah Conrad.

[Via CNET]

Read - Intel's New Brand Structure Explained
Read - Fewer Brands, Greater Impact

Samsung's Centrino 2-powered Q320 and R522 caught on display

by Ross Miller posted Apr 14th 2009 at 9:33PM

Dutch-based portablegear has managed to get a close-up look at Samsung's Intel Centrino 2-packing laptops, the 13.4-inch Q320 and 15.6-inch R522, and boy are they a beaut. The former's sporting an NVIDIA GeForce G105M and three USB ports, while the latter uses an unknown graphics card, four USB ports, and an USB/eSata combo. Both feature Intel Windows Vista Home Premium and six-cell batteries. While UK site Register Hardware pegged the release date for sometime this month, pg says they're due out sometime in May or June, and neither give any indication of a release window for US. We've also got a mention here of laptops R620 and R720, but unfortunately we've got no information on the models beyond that.

Read - On display
Read - Official specs

Fujitsu keeps the Centrino 2 party going with six new LifeBooks

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 15th 2008 at 12:56PM

It looks like the Centrino 2 train just keeps on rolling, and Fujitsu's now hopped on board with six new LifeBooks in tow, including a pair of convertible tablets. That latter duo consists of the enterprise class LifeBook T5010, the successor to Fujitsu's T4220, and the slightly less security minded LifeBook T1010, both of which boast 13.3-inch displays and all the usual Centrino 2-related goodies. On the non-convertible front, Fujitsu has the 15.4-inch LifeBook A6210 (pictured above), the Centrino 2 vPro-supporting LifeBook E8420, and a pair of thin-and-light 14-inchers, the LifeBook S6520 and LifeBook S7220, each of which weigh in around four pounds. From the looks of it, the whole lot is available now, with the exception of the vPro editions of the LifeBook T5010 and LifeBook E8420, which are set to follow in 30 days.

Gateway updates bevy of laptops / desktops in one fell swoop

by Darren Murph posted Jun 30th 2008 at 12:31PM

Merely months after Gateway thrilled your soul with the introduction of all sorts of new desktops, the outfit has apparently received the upgrade bug. Starting right now, the 17-inch P-Series, 15.4-inch M-Series and 14.1-inch T-series laptops can be ordered with Intel's latest Core 2 Duo chips, more spacious hard drives and dual-layer DVD writers. For those eying a tower, the FX Series, DX Series and GT Series now provide (up to) a Core 2 Quad Q9300 CPU, 6GB of RAM, an overclocked NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT and price tags starting as low as $549.99. For more on these absolutely riveting upgrades, hit the read link and try not to fall out of your seat.

Packard Bell busts out new Puma laptops, trio of new desktop lines

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Jun 10th 2008 at 10:48AM

Packard Bell unleashed a big ol' set of machines in Italy today. Among the new laptops, the EasyNote RS65 13.3-incher cued some unusual design elements like red and chrome highlights and circular touchpad. It packs an Intel Centrino 2 and dedicated video card with DVI and HDMI. Other machines include the multimedia-friend ML (15.4-inch) and SL (17-inch) based on the Puma platform. Also of note are the MT (15.4-inch) and ST (17-inch) laptops, which include a "Battery Boost" button that allows you to switch between dedicated video and integrated Intel GMA chipsets in order to conserve unwired time. Finally, the TN line (pictured above) is set to appeal to a younger audience with low prices and multimedia features. In the desktop category, Packard Bell intro'd new i-Media, family-Extreme, and i-Max machines that run the gamut from diminutive budget boxes to gamer-friendly powerhouses. Peep the read link (in Italian) to get a deeper scoop.

Demand for Intel's Atom already outstripping supply?

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 30th 2008 at 11:58PM

There's a ton of upcoming laptops and devices based around Intel's Atom processor, and it looks like all the early interest is causing that best of all possible problems for the chipmaker: it's gotten too many orders. Intel told the WSJ that it's planning on producing "millions" of Atom chips this year, but that it's "seeing better-than-expected demand" as production begins and that it's "we are working quickly to address it." Still, it looks like manufacturers are expecting a shortage to last for a while -- ASUS predicted that supply would be constrained until the third quarter during its quarterly conference call, for example -- and various Chinese trade publications have reported the same. That's definitely not encouraging news, and with AMD's Puma and VIA's Isaiah nipping at Atom's heels, Intel might want to kick things into a higher gear.

Intel lays out roadmap for Montevina-based Centrino 2 platform

by Donald Melanson posted Feb 27th 2008 at 5:46PM

We've already gotten wind of Intel's not-so-surprising branding choice for its Montevina platform, but it looks like the company's just now gotten a whole lot more specific about things, with it laying out its roadmap for the newly-named Centrino 2 product line. As Daily Tech reports, the new platform will make its debut in June of this year, and will include separate "Performance" and "Small Form Factor" lines. On that former front, you can expect processors ranging form 2.26GHz to 2.8GHz, with a TDP rating of either 25W or 35W and prices from $209 to $530. The Small Form Factor line, on the other hand, is considerably more over the map, boasting processor speeds from 1.2GHz all the way up to 2.2GHz, and TDP ratings ranging from a mere 5.5W to 25W (prices will be between $262 to $316). Needless to say, this bit of news has also already set the latest MacBook rumor mill into full swing, with DailyTech reporting that "Apple insiders" say the company will refresh its laptop line alongside the platform's launch in June, not that you likely needed "insiders" to tell you that.

[Via MacRumors]

Intel branding Montevina platform Centrino 2?

by Thomas Ricker posted Feb 18th 2008 at 1:54AM

Think you've mastered Intel speak? Impressive, it's no easy task keeping Intel's brand names and in-house silicon language straight. Now rumor has it that Intel's Montevina will carry a new Centrino 2 branding in hopes of clearing up any confusing amongst consumers. Probably a good idea what with Centrino providing the catch-all since the launch of those Carmel, Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa platforms running Pentium M, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo branded ~~Banisa~~ Banias, Donthan, Yonah/Merom and Merom/Penryn processors. If true, a Centrino 2 sticker would indicate 5th generation, Montevina-class Centrino with support for 45-nm, Core 2 Duo Penryn CPUs, a 1066MHz FSB, DDR3 memory, and mobile WiMax. Still not clear? No worries, try the handy table after break.

Continue reading Intel branding Montevina platform Centrino 2?

Intel's Centrino Duo and Centrino Pro Santa Rosa chipsets go live

by Paul Miller posted May 9th 2007 at 1:35PM

If you haven't noticed by now, the laptop industry is going Santa Rosa crazy today, and for good reason: Intel's next-gen chipset is officially "out" as of now, following up the Napa / Yonah combo of last year. Intel is sticking with the Core 2 Duo "Merom" processor for the time being, but is releasing new, faster versions that take advantage of Santa Rosa's faster front-side bus, which is up at 800MHz, compared to 667MHz of prior versions. The new processors are odd-numbered to set them apart, and include the 1.8GHz T7100, 2GHz T7300, 2.2GHz T7500, 2.4GHz T7700, 1.4GHz L7300 and 1.6GHz L7500 -- with the latter two being low-voltage versions. As seen on many of the models announced today, or leaked in the recent weeks, the new Intel 965 Express Chipset includes more than the FSB goodies, with support for the new DirectX 10 and Vista-friendly Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics and the Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN 802.11n chip. That's the gist of the consumer-oriented Centrino Duo, while the Centrino Pro adds in a Gigabit Network Connection that supports remote wake-up over WiFi. Unfortunately, while the processors and front-side bus are all ready to go, laptop memory is still stuck at 667MHz, and Intel hasn't made it clear whether the Santa Rosa platforms will be able to handle the 800MHz memory due to launch later this year.

Sony's VAIO FZ series: Blu-ray action in your lap

by Darren Murph posted May 9th 2007 at 12:55PM

Nah, it shouldn't surprise you one bit that Sony's officially squeezing in yet another option in the VAIO laptop lineup, but this 15.4-incher packs a media-centric attitude into a (debatably) lightweight package, and moreover, sports a pricetag that's very un-VAIO-like. Aside from the typical black / silver motif, you'll notice a widescreen XBRITE display, a bevy of multimedia controls atop the keyboard, Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M graphics card, support for 802.11n, HDMI out, audio in / out, USB 2.0, VGA and S-Video outs, 4-pin FireWire, and the obligatory Blu-ray drive for watching HD flicks on the go. Additionally, the FZ will include an integrated webcam, LocationFree placeshifting niceties, an ExpressCard slot, and a Memory Stick reader. Fortunately for you, this fairly well appointed machine won't break the bank as you may expect, as the non-BD-equipped rendition will start at $1,400, while the "Premium" flavor comes in just $2,000.

Forget Santa Rosa, how about a quad-core Penryn?

by Darren Murph posted Apr 17th 2007 at 7:46AM

Honestly, we don't exactly know how to take the news that Intel's already looking beyond next month's Santa Rosa release to a reported quad-core Penryn mobile processor. On one hand, our eyes relish the opportunity to play the latest titles at the highest resolutions whilst bragging aimlessly to our online pals, but then again, we don't look forward to the presumed third-degree burns that could likely develop from tossing these in such tight quarters. Nevertheless, Intel managed to drop a few more details in regard to its mobile CPU plans, and noted that Santa Rosa's successor would likely be based on the 45-nanometer Penryn design and offer high-end gaming notebooks a ridiculous amount of power. Additionally, an Intel exec showcased the future chip's ability to be user-overclocked, suggesting that it would be "your responsibility to take care of cooling." Of course, if Intel could buddy up with IBM's miracle-working cooling solutions, the forthcoming chip could manage to breathe a bit easier, but we've got until "the first half of 2008" to see about all that.

Intel gets official on Centrino Pro, adds vPro

by Paul Miller posted Apr 4th 2007 at 6:49PM

Things are shaping up nicely for prospective laptop buyers holding out for Santa Rosa systems before they make the plunge. Intel just confirmed that the platform will be making its way into laptops in the second quarter of this year, and clarified that Centrino Pro is only part of the action, not the whole dealio. Intel also has come forward with a welcome feature addition for enterprise types: vPro, which Intel unleashed on the desktop side last year, will be included in Centrino Pro, allowing for remote management and upgrades of systems by IT folks, and improved virtualization. Of course, it'll also involve signing up for a smorgasbord of Intel-only parts, such as the 802.11n MIMO WiFi, but that's just the way Intel rolls.

[Via Laptoping]

Intel's built-in 802.11n Mini PCI card gets official

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2007 at 5:12PM

We realize that Intel has probably waited about as long as it possibly can on this not-yet-ratified 802.11n deal, but on the very day we see some rare signs of life in the 802.11 task force, Intel is making its own draft-spec 802.11n Mini PCI card official. While we've known that Intel would be backing the protocol for some time now, the company has just announced that the 4965agn card (backwards compatible with a/b/g networks) will be replacing the existing 3945abg card and should be shipping on most Vista-equipped laptops. Intel claims that its new card will offer up "five times the performance, twice the range, and greater battery life" than its predecessor. Additionally, the firm launched the "Connect with Centrino" campaign, which will force vendors such as Asus, Belkin, Buffalo, D-Link, and Netgear to pass Intel's own line of testing in order to receive its coveted seal of approval, which is just begging to cause inoperability problems whenever 802.11n goes final. Users interested in getting the latest WiFi chip in their Centrino package can look for that (probably large) palm rest sticker signifying that it's certified starting this week, and if you're ~~completely bored~~ interested, you can click on through to see a demonstration video on how Intel tests its own Connect with Centrino program.

Continue reading Intel's built-in 802.11n Mini PCI card gets official

Intel gets behind pre-802.11n, adding to Centrino

by Paul Miller posted Nov 30th 2006 at 7:40PM

Well, it doesn't look like there's any turning back now. After waiting for what feels like the better part of a century for an official stamp of approval on 802.11n, draft-n and pre-n products just got a whole lot of legitimacy from Intel, who has now announced it will be stuffing the pre-standard WiFi spec into its Centrino chipsets as early as next year. Along with the usual user benefits of added speed and supposed range improvements over 802.11g -- Intel is claiming 50 percent greater, but we'll believe that when we see it -- the inclusion of pre-n by Intel will most likely create a de-facto standard for 802.11n which could prove difficult for the IEEE Standards Committee to screw with when they finally get around to finalizing the 802.11n spec in 2008. Sounds like a win for consumers for now, but we could all be hurting come mid-2008 when we find out those fancy laptops we sprung for in 2007 are suddenly obsolete.

[Via Ars Technica]

Intel's Santa Rosa platform officially dubbed Centrino Pro

by Darren Murph posted Oct 20th 2006 at 2:45PM

While the Mac faithful are still twiddling their thumbs waiting for Apple to finally bump those sexy MacBook Pros to Merom status, Intel's not wasting any time officially dubbing its next generation notebook platform. The company unveiled the Santa Rosa chipset, complete with integrated HSDPA, at this year's Intel Developer's Forum, but we've now learned that it will not only be built "around the 64-bit dual-core Merom" processor, but it'll carry a "Centrino Pro" nametag to boot. Although specific speeds weren't announced, the chip giant did say that next year's Core 2 Duo lineup would include "T7300, T7500 and T7700 models," which boast an "800MHz front side bus and 4MB L2 cache," while the low-end T7100 gets it on-die cache halved. Simultaneously, Intel's "GM965/PM965 chipsets and 82566MM Gigabit Network/Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN network chips" will be unveiled to complete the Centrino Pro trifecta. Intel's planning on having these expeditious goodies ready by "Q2 2007," and the $300 million its throwing down for "promotion purposes" should keep us all very informed on its progress.

[Via Laptoping]