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Centrino 2 hits Asia

By Darius Chang
Jul 16, 2008

Editors' note:

The list of upcoming Centrino 2 laptops have been updated with new models.

According to an Intel representative, the initial batch of Centrino 2 notebooks will have a slight premium of around 10 percent compared with previous-generation machines.


SINGAPORE--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 are different was that the tag Duo had been added to the Centrino label.


This may soon be a familiar logo.
All these 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, particular 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 single task compared with the previous-gen 2.33GHz model, while, at the same time, using 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 HD movies natively without the use of third-party software. The GM47 version has slightly better performance in this area, thanks to its 640MHz GPU, compared with the 533MHz model in GM45. PM45 chipsets are reserved for machines which hold discrete GPUs. With more and more LCD TVs being found in homes, it's also timely that HDMI ports are part of the Centrino 2 standard.

However, an 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.

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.

According to vendors, Centrino 2 laptops should hit retails shelves from this month. We take a look at what to expect in the coming months from the various brands.

 

 
Acer »

    Talkback
miruotoko says...
T5010's 15.4" would be a big jump from current 12.1"
More likely to be 13.3" considering this model is geared toward mobile users.

Jul 16, 2008 20:54
 
 
Codet says...
Good thing I didn't buy a laptop at the PC Show. Would have been a big mistake. I think I can wait for Acer 5930G... sweet NVidia 9600GT!!!

Jul 17, 2008 15:33
 
 
MingQing says...
www.acer.com.sg... is out but the price... $1,898 (after $1,000 Off with Trade-In) without trade in is $2898

me too want a Centrino 2 laptop but hor so far only Acer have them and the price is too high for my budget :(

Jul 18, 2008 14:20
      Report offensive
 
 
Brainiac says...
i really hope ACER decides to put this in the new Gemstone 2.0 laptops specially the 18.4" one.. cuz i really want to get that...

Jul 17, 2008 17:34
 
 
Brainiac says...
this is the one i was talking about.... www.acer.com.sg...

cnet pplz.. any ideas if it will be avail with centrino 2?

btw wats all this graphics card non-sense.. i thought they already had seperate graphics cards?? my current acer has a ATI Rad. x700

Jul 18, 2008 16:55
 
 
jackie025 says...
SWEet hardwares... i need to wait for the CEntrino 2 to be available, so that i could upgrade my pc, HP all the WAy!!

Aug 16, 2008 07:28
 
 
jackie025 says...
My hp dv1000 had been with me for 4yrs since i sec 1 and it has been good to me..... i should reward this com with centrino 2 upgrades.....

Aug 20, 2008 17:37
 
 
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