Intel Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer of computer processors, has ended a flurry of related launch date speculation by slapping a large ‘delayed’ sign onto its new Centrino 2 mobile technology, which the California-based company is now positioning for an official rollout on July 14.
Intel pushes back the release of its Centrino 2 mobile platform. Image: Intel Corp.
According to Intel, its new Centrino 2 technology, which is around 40 percent smaller that its predecessor, is expected to deliver enhanced performance, native high-definition Blu-ray support, and prolonged battery life to its host mobile devices.
While Centrino 2’s physical size decrease potentially opens the platform for inclusion into diminutive sub-notebook hardware such as Intel’s own Classmate PC, it is also notable as the first processing platform to offer mobile users integrated Wi-Fi and WiMAX wireless access.
The Centrino 2 technology has been made possible by applying Intel’s latest 45nm (nanometer) manufacturing technique, which reduces transistor size and enables single processors to push out improved performance thanks to the comfortable housing of more transistors. Advantages associated with the 45nm process are now replacing Intel’s previous reliance on 65nm manufacturing.
Intel’s focus on 45nm and the laptop market is becoming steadily more evident based on the continuing increase of mobile computer sales. Specifically, analyst expectations for the laptop market suggest that shipments for 2008 will jump some 26 percent to around 136 million units, while desktop shipments are expected to fall approximately 1.3 percent to 143 million units.
In shifting back the prior launch window, Intel has now said that July 14 will see Centrino 2 unleashed via Core and Extreme mobile processor chipsets, with the Extreme option catering specifically for those on-the-go users looking to enjoy high-end gaming.
The entire Centrino 2 range is likely to be available by the first week of August, with Intel doing all it can to ensure that its products are ready and able to meet the “critical back-to-school” retail window.
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