Intel has launched its first laptop platform with dual-core processor chips. The technology is designed to boost performance without compromising battery life, and will enable lighter laptops, Intel said.
The Centrino Duo mobile platform features the Core Duo processor, the successor to Intel's Pentium M mobile chip. There is also a single-core version called Core Solo, aimed at value laptops.
Core Duo has been designed from the ground up as a dual-core chip, fitting two processor units on a single piece of silicon. The design enables higher performance than the previous platform while using 30 percent less power, Intel said.
"Laptops traditionally gained greater performance at the expense of battery life, but not on this platform," said Intel's Alistair Kemp.
Key features are a new Pro/Wireless 3945ABG wireless LAN adapter that adds 802.11e quality of service (QoS) support for apps such as voice over IP, plus Active Management Technology (AMT), which enables enhanced discovery and recovery capabilities when a laptop is connected to a LAN.
While AMT currently requires a wired connection, Intel said it is working to extend its capabilities across wireless networks as well.
Other features of Centrino Duo include a new chipset, the Mobile 945 Express, with support for 667MHz dual-channel DDR-2 memory. Intel also said the platform will have the firm's Virtualisation Technology (VT) in the first half of 2006. Intel has also introduced a new identification scheme for the chips, with a letter denoting power class followed by four digits indicating performance-related features.
In the mainstream chip range, the top model at launch is the Core Duo T2600 clocked at 2.16GHz, while the lowest chip is the T2300 at 1.66GHz. Two low-voltage versions, the L2400 and L2300 are clocked at 1.66GHz and 1.5GHz, while a single processor Core Solo version of the chip is labelled T1300 and r uns at 1.66GHz.
Fujitsu Siemens said that it will ship its Lifebook E8110 based on Centrino Duo in February, with prices starting at £1,149.
The Centrino Duo mobile platform features the Core Duo processor, the successor to Intel's Pentium M mobile chip. There is also a single-core version called Core Solo, aimed at value laptops.
Core Duo has been designed from the ground up as a dual-core chip, fitting two processor units on a single piece of silicon. The design enables higher performance than the previous platform while using 30 percent less power, Intel said.
"Laptops traditionally gained greater performance at the expense of battery life, but not on this platform," said Intel's Alistair Kemp.
Key features are a new Pro/Wireless 3945ABG wireless LAN adapter that adds 802.11e quality of service (QoS) support for apps such as voice over IP, plus Active Management Technology (AMT), which enables enhanced discovery and recovery capabilities when a laptop is connected to a LAN.
While AMT currently requires a wired connection, Intel said it is working to extend its capabilities across wireless networks as well.
Other features of Centrino Duo include a new chipset, the Mobile 945 Express, with support for 667MHz dual-channel DDR-2 memory. Intel also said the platform will have the firm's Virtualisation Technology (VT) in the first half of 2006. Intel has also introduced a new identification scheme for the chips, with a letter denoting power class followed by four digits indicating performance-related features.
In the mainstream chip range, the top model at launch is the Core Duo T2600 clocked at 2.16GHz, while the lowest chip is the T2300 at 1.66GHz. Two low-voltage versions, the L2400 and L2300 are clocked at 1.66GHz and 1.5GHz, while a single processor Core Solo version of the chip is labelled T1300 and r uns at 1.66GHz.
Fujitsu Siemens said that it will ship its Lifebook E8110 based on Centrino Duo in February, with prices starting at £1,149.