Centrino

File:Centrino2.png

Centrino (also called Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology) is a platform marketing initiative from Intel for a particular combination of CPU, mainboard chipset and wireless network interface in the design of a laptop personal computer.

Carmel Platform

Carmel was the code name for the first generation Centrino platform launched in March 2003. Carmel consisted of a Pentium M processor, an Intel 855 series chipset, and an Intel PRO/Wireless 2100(IEEE 802.11b) or dual band 2100a(IEEE 802.11ab) WiFi adapter.

Industry watchers initially criticized the Carmel platform for its lack of of an (IEEE 802.11g) solution because many independent WiFi chip makers like Broadcom and Atheros were already shipping 802.11g products. Intel responded that the IEEE had not finalized the 802.11g standard at the time of Carmel's launch, and that it did not want to launch products not based on a finalized standard.

Despite criticisms, the Carmel platform won quick acceptance among OEMs and consumers. Carmel was able to attain or exceed the performance of older Pentium 4-M platforms, while allowing for notebooks to opperate 4-5 hours on a 48 Wh battery. Carmel also allowed notebook manufacturers to create thinner and lighter notebooks because its components did not dissipate much heat, and thus did not require large cooling systems.

In early 2004, after the finalization of the 802.11g standard, Intel added the option of a PRO/Wireless 2200 (IEEE 802.11bg) to the Centrino lineup.

Sonoma Platform

Sonoma is Intel's second generation Centrino platform. Launched in January 2005, it consists of a faster Pentium M processor boasting a 133 MHz (quad-pumped, 533 MHz effective) Front Side Bus, the Intel Mobile 915 Express chipset family, and an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 (IEEE 802.11bg) or PRO/Wireless 2915 (IEEE 802.11abg) WiFi adapter. The Mobile 915, like its desktop version, supports many new features such as DDR2, PCI Express, Intel High Definition Audio, and SATA.

Unfortunately, the introduction of PCI Express and faster Pentium M processors causes notebooks built around the Sonoma platform to have lesser battery life than their Carmel counterparts. Sonoma notebooks typically achieve between 3.5-4.5 hours of battery life on a 53 Wh battery.

Napa Platform

Napa is slated to replace Sonoma as the basis for the Centrino platform in January 2006. A dual core Pentium M processor code named Yonah, the Intel Mobile 945 Express chipset family, and a PCI Express wireless adapter will make up the Napa platform.

Marketing

The name Centrino is a blend of the words centre and neutrino. Curiously in Italian this word means doily.

Intel has reportedly invested $300 million in Centrino advertising. Because of the ubiquity of the marketing campaign, many consumers mistakenly refer to the Pentium M processor as Centrino. Some consumers have received the impression that Centrino is the only way to get wireless connectivity in a notebook. The net result is increased demand for Intel's PRO/Wireless chipsets.

External links

• Information from Intel.
• Linspire CEO attacks Intel's Centrino Linux lockout, March 20, 2003.
• Intel's Centrino operating system support page.
• Linux on Centrino based laptops and notebooks.
• Homepage of the software "Centrino Hardware Control"