Notebooks geeks everywhere are rejoicing as today marks the official launch of Intel’s Centrino 2. We’ve known about this for a long time but the day is finally here. There were a few delays, but the kinks were worked out and in finally Montevina is available along with a number of new notebooks. Any upgrade this big comes long with a slew of new notebooks from all the big players.
The Centrino 2 platform is built on three components: the processor, wireless module, and chipset, all provided by Intel. This release brings along upgrades to each aspect so while the typical consumer may not be excited about a new platform there is a lot to gain from the update.
The most noticeable change is the new set of processors, all of which are 45nm products with a 1066MHz FSB. They are:
– X9100 Core 2 Extreme, 3.06GHz, 6MB cache, 44W TDP
– T9600 Core 2 Duo, 2.80GHz, 6MB cache, 35W TDP
– T9400 Core 2 Duo, 2.53GHz, 6MB cache, 35W TDP
– P9500 Core 2 Duo, 2.53GHz, 6MB cache, 25W TDP
– P8600 Core 2 Duo, 2.40GHz, 3MB cache, 25W TDP
– P8400 Core 2 Duo, 2.26GHz, 3MB cache, 25W TDP
More processors are on the way, but today we are also seeing upgraded graphics and improved WiFi. These tend to be evolutionary changes from the last generation (Santa Rosa) but they are enough that you’ll want to stronger consider spending Centrino if you are looking for a new system (as opposed to saving a bit and getting something older). The graphics package moves to X4500 with Deep Power Down switchable technology, RAM is upgraded from DDR2 to DDR3, and the wireless component gets the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 802.11 draft-n wireless module. Basically there are a lot of incremental changes, with some cool new technology sprinkled about.
Thanks to Centrino 2’s arrival just about every notebook manufacturer is refreshing their product line. We already highlighted the ThinkPad X200 (and the news of the other ThinkPads leaked earlier) but that is just the start. There are new models (and killed old models) from a number of companies including, Sony, Toshiba, HP, Fujitsu, and Acer.
Read more at Intel’s Press Room. Geek.com will have reviews up of as many of these notebooks as soon as we get our hands on them. So keep checking in and post any requests in the comments.
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