Intel unveils new Centrino processorsAt a press briefing held in Singapore yesterday, Intel announced the launch of three new Pentium M processors for the mobile computing platform. The key improvements on the new processors (codenamed Dothan) include faster processor speeds of up to 2GHz, and a 2MB L2 cache--double that of the current Pentium M chips (codenamed Banias). The new processors are also the first Intel mobile chips to be fabricated using the 90nm manufacturing process. Currently, the other 90nm-based Intel processor is the Prescott desktop chip.
 Check out the new Dothan-powered notebooks here.
In addition to the faster MHz rating and improved L2 cache, the Dothan chips are the first processors to adopt Intel's new naming convention for its CPUs. For instance, the top-of-the-line chip in this launch, which comes with a 2GHz speed rating, is called Pentium M Processor 755 (US$637 in quantities of 1,000), while the 1.8GHz and 1.7GHz versions are named 745 (US$423) and 735 (US$294), respectively. The first batch of the Pentium M chips (codenamed Banias) are currently labeled according to their processor speeds. The 1.7GHz chip, for example, is known as the Pentium M 1.7GHz and so on. Intel claimed there is no price difference between the Pentium M 1.7GHz and the Pentium M Processor 735. Expect, however, to see a 10 percent gain in performance from the new chip, although battery life should remain similar based on MobileMark2002 results released by Intel. Overall, the Pentium M Processor 755 is estimated to be 17 percent faster than the Pentium M 1.7GHz processor. More Dothan chips are expected in the coming months. Here's a complete list of what's in the pipeline as well as what's already been announced. (Note: The compiled information is collected from various hardware sources. Some of these processors may be labeled under a different name or may not be available.)
Intel also revealed at the launch event plans to introduce the next generation mobile chipset. Codenamed Alviso, the new chipset is expected in the second-half of 2004 and will feature support for 533MHz front side bus, DDR2 memory as well as PCI Express. Alviso is slated to come with integrated high-definition audio for a 7.1 surround speaker system, 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN and enhanced support for USB and TV-out ports. Also included in the feature lineup for Alviso will be Intel's Display Power Saving Technology, which the chipmaker claimed can reduce power consumption by up to 25 percent, using an algorithm to manage display brightness and contrast with the backlight. Together with the announcement of the Dothan processors, six notebook vendors have also unveiled laptops based on the new chips. We've highlighted some of the new notebooks you can expect to see in the next couple of months. Read our news report on the Intel Dothan launch here. Upcoming Dothan notebooks lineup
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