If you haven’t yet heard the name Centrino, Intel wants to make sure that you hear it soon. They are spending $300 million to market this new technology.
Intel is known for producing processor chips, and this is the first time that Intel has branded a combination of technologies under one name. The technologies include the Pentium M chip, a newly designed microprocessor, the integrated 802.11b wireless capability provided by the Intel Pro/Wireless 2100 Network Connection, and a new 855 chipset. These components are designed, optimized and validated by Intel to maximize the wireless mobile computing experience.
The mainstay of the Centrino technology is the Pentium M chip. The M obviously stands for mobile, since this technology will be used in portable computers. (It is, however, a confusing nomenclature because Intel has a previous chip called the Pentium 4-M which uses an entirely different technology.) Initial testing shows the Pentium M chip to have outstanding performance. This chip running at 1.6Ghz is outperforming other comparable chips, even those running at higher speeds. Since this chip runs cooler and has reduced power needs, notebook users will also find that the Pentium M extends battery life considerably. Some tests show Pentium M laptops getting as much as four hours battery power on a singe charge.
The Pentium M chip is now available in laptops by many different manufacturers. A Pentium M chip portable computer can only be called Centrino if manufacturers use all three parts of the Centrino technology, including the wireless conductivity.
Intel is so focused on the new Centrino mobile technology brand name that they have developed a new Centrino logo which incorporates the famous “Intel Inside” trademark in a new shape logo with a striking magenta color. If you haven’t seen this yet, you are sure to see it soon. And if you will be purchasing a new notebook computer, you will also see the increased performance and battery life that both Centrino notebooks and Pentium M–class notebooks are now offering.
