Intel Centrino 2 lives

Following a technical stumble which allowed AMD to gain a lead, Intel has now released the long awaited Centrino 2 notebook platform.

The platform, code-named "Montevina" was due for release last month but a technical hitch meant that the launch had to be delayed and that gave the edge to AMD and the Puma platform.

Intel Centrino 2 gallery

The Centrino 2 notebook platform is build around an Intel CPU, an Intel chipset and an Intel WiFi card and it promises improved performance, increased battery life and faster WiFi experience.

At launch the Centrino 2 will offer five new Core 2 processors:

• 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

Other highlights:

• All processors are based on 45nm manufacturing process.
• Processors come with a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache
• Deep Power Down Technology powers off processing components such as core clocks and cache memory when the laptop is idle
• Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series provides 802.11 draft-N support

Within the next 90 days Intel will release eight more processors, including the first quad-core part, which is expected to be the 2.53GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9300 which is already available through some channels.

"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' referred to personal 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."