Intel's Centrino platform has received its first major update since it was launched in 2003.
The Centrino 2 platform combines a Core 2 Duo processor runing between 2.26GHz and 3.06GHz, a graphics chipset capable of handling high-definition graphics and a wireless chipset. All that adds up to longer battery life, better performance and faster wireless Internet but it's the better graphics that should mean most to consumers.
Kaz YOSHIDA,
The new Centrino 2 technology allows consumer users to be able to play high-definition contents and that's very important ... and not only in the house, where your PC is connected to the AC plug, but you take it out and enjoy high-def content and that's probably the number one benefit for consumer users."
At least 16 companies have announced Centrino 2 laptops.
Among them Lenovo's SL series targeted at small and medium-sized businesses. With 13, 14 and 15-inch screen models, the new laptops roll-out from this month and come with business-friendly features like an optional online backup service and LoJack technology to track down stolen machines. There are also consumer touches, such as an HDMI-output for hooking up to a high-def TV.
Fujitsu has released six new Centrino 2 notebooks, including an ultramobile that the company claims is "one of the thinnest and lightest in the 14-inch class."
Sony launched several Centrino 2 machines including the Vaio Z. It has a 13.1-inch widescreen display and comes with an optional Blu-ray Disc drive. While the screen's 1,600 pixel by 900 pixel resolution can't support Blu-ray Disc at full high-definition there's an HDMI connector for hooking the laptop up to a high-def TV. A model with 128G-byte SSD (solid-state disk) is also available.
The first rugged Centrino 2 laptop is coming later this year from Panasonic. The Toughbook CF-52 has a full high-def 15-inch screen and can be dropped from waist-height without any problems.
A second version of the Centrino 2 platform, called vPro, is aimed at corporate users and has features to help companies more easily manage employees' laptops and perform remote maintenance on the machines. There's also an anti-theft system that allows hard-disk access to be remotely switched off. The latter could be useful is a laptop is stolen but requires an Internet connection to switch it on.
Toshiba's Satellite K30 is one machine with vPro. The 15.4-incher has a single port on the rear for connecting either USB2 or eSATA hard-disk drives. It will be available from next month.
In Tokyo this is Martyn Williams, IDG News Service.
