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Yes, the next line of the Centrino, the Intel Centrino 2 CPU, is arriving. Laptop lovers around the world will be extremely happy when this technology arrives on their shelves very soon. It will be even more advanced, promises Core 2 Duo performance with WiFi-N or WiMax wireless capability and faster speeds.


The Centrino 2 specs are very promising. It features an upgraded Intel graphics processor, Intel CPU with chipset and Integated Graphics. It includes WiFi-N (the fastest) adapter with optional WiMAX wireless networking adapter and Gigabit Ethernet (vPro model only). It will also support HDMI, Blu-Ray, DisplayPort and CrossFire Dual GPUs for laptops. However, it is not mentioned with what types of GPUs, NVIDIA or XTi will it be compatible. The WiFi capability will come courtesy of a 300Mbps Intel Wi-Fi Link 5150 or 450Mbps Intel Wi-Fi Link 5350.

It is also now clear that the first quad-core mobile processor, the Core 2 Extreme QX9300, will likely launch in September at a clock speed of 2.53GHz and be priced at just over $1,000. This chip will also boast a massive 12MB cache and have a Thermal Design Power (TDP or thermal envelope) of 45 watts, rivaling desktop quad-core processors.

This new technology will mostly influence laptop users, because it is targeted at increased power managing features. With Intel Centrino 2 inside, specs promise the ability to watch a full-length Blu-Ray movie without need of an AC adapter. This was made possible by hundreds of power management improvements, such as Low-power CPU, DDR3 RAM and many more features, which lowers laptop's power needs by 25%.

The September installment of processors will be centered on low-power models such as the SL9400 and SU9400, running at 1.86GHz and 1.4GHz with a TDP of 17W and 10W respectively. One processor, the SU3300, will have a TDP of 5.5W. This is a class of processors that will appear in ultra-light, ultra-thin notebooks such as Apple's MacBook Air and Lenovo's ThinkPad X300.

Now rumor has it that Intel's Montevina will carry a new Centrino 2 branding in hopes of clearing up any confusing amongst consumers. Probably a good idea what with Centrino providing the catch-all since the launch of those Carmel, Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa platforms running Pentium M, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo branded Banisa Banias, Donthan, Yonah/Merom and Merom/Penryn processors. If true, a Centrino 2 sticker would indicate 5th generation, Montevina-class Centrino with support for 45-nm, Core 2 Duo Penryn CPUs, a 1066MHz FSB, DDR3 memory, and mobile WiMax.

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