Con il comunicato stampa di seguito allegato, Intel Corporation ha annunciato ufficialmente la tecnologia Intel Centrino 2, che sarà alla base dei notebook di nuova generazione, e cinque nuovi processori mobile di classe Core 2 Duo "Centrino 2 Ready". Il primato delle prestazioni deve essere attribuito al nuovo Core 2 Extreme, un dual-core mobile capace di vantare una frequenza di clock per core pari a 3.06 GHz. Tutti i nuovi processori sono fabbricati in tecnologia a 45nm con la metodologia proprietaria "high-k metal gate", esibiscono una frequenza di FSB pari a 1066MHz, fino a 6Mb di cache L2 e un TDP che in tre casi è pari a soli 25W (ovvero al 30% in meno rispetto a quello della precedente generazione di dual-core mobile by Intel, ndr).

Intel Core 2 Duo

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Ma il mondo Centrino 2 include anche un nuovo chipset, intorno al quale sono realizzate le motherboard dei notebook di nuova generazione: si tratta del Mobile Intel 45 Express e di una nuova gamma di controller wireless, la Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000, capace di assicurare connettività senza fili compliant con 802.11N e data rate fino a 450 Mbps.

Mobile Intel 45 Express

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I primi notebook Centrino 2 Ready sono attesi sul mercato tra fine Luglio e inizio Agosto: tra i primi produttori in grado di fornire questa tipologia di soluzioni Intel ha segnato Lenovo, HP, Sony, Toshiba e Fujitsu.

Fujitsu Lifebook S7220

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Rounding out a mobile-focused summer for the company, Intel said it also plans to unveil eight processors within 90 days that will include first-ever mobile quad-core products and second-generation products for ultra-thin and light notebooks. In total, Intel will bring 14 diverse new processors into the marketplace as laptop sales continue to outpace desktop PCs.

Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and Intel Centrino 2 with vPro Technology improve upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless (with WiMAX arriving later this year), and new business-class manageability capabilities.

"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, ‘thin and light' only referred to weight goals and desktop PCs outsold notebooks by a very wide margin," said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the company's Mobile Platforms Group. "Today, notebooks outsell desktops in the U.S, and we're paving the way to HD entertainment, rich online gaming, faster broadband wireless speeds and an easier and more secure way for businesses to manage, update and repair their notebook fleets."

Intel is introducing five dual core processors based on Intel's reinvented transistors (high-k metal gate formula) and advanced 45-nanometer manufacturing process. These processors come with a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache, and three versions reduce laptop processor wattage about 30 percent, down to just 25 watts. Also featured is Deep Power Down Technology that turns off processing components such as core clocks and cache memory when the laptop is idle for greater energy savings.

Intel also unveiled its Mobile Intel 45 Express Chipset and wireless Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series that is shipping to customers now, with laptops arriving later in July and August. Delivering five times the speed and twice the range of older 802.11a/g technology, the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series provides 802.11 draft-N support that delivers the fastest data rates possible today -- up to 450 Mbps.

Switchable graphics, a new optional power-saving feature available on Intel Centrino 2-based notebooks, provides both integrated and discrete graphics on a single notebook, enabling users to easily switch between the two options. Switchable graphics delivers greater 3-D performance when needed while providing the option for greater power savings for the best of both worlds.

For consumers, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology delivers the horsepower and battery life to enjoy a typical full-length, Blu-ray* high-definition video on a single battery charge for the first time, plus the ability to play a variety of online games, download music or post videos faster than before.

For businesses, Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology offers enhanced manageability and security options. This is increasingly important as companies replace desktops with notebooks and need to remotely diagnose, update and repair systems over a wireless network. Improved manageability with AMT 4.0 has also been added that provides wireless manageability during system sleep states, ongoing remote configuration capabilities, support for next-generation management standards (WS-MAN and DASH 1.0) and the ability for an employee to initiate communications to IT from outside a company's firewall.

OEMs and Channel system builders will deliver close to 250 systems to market. For more information including Intel product pricing, visit www.intel.com/go/processor_pricing. For a full media version of this release including photos, videos, related blogs and other information, visit www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080715comp_sm.htm and the Intel Centrino 2 technology...