Intel unveils Centrino 2

Intel has launched the latest Centrino processors for laptops, powered by five Intel Core 2 Duo processors. It has also introduced the highest performing dual core mobile processor – Core 2 Extreme – running at 3.06GHz. Intel said it also plans to unveil a further eight processors in the near future, including the first quad core devices for mobile applications. Codenamed Montevina, the Centrino 2 processors are said to improve laptop performance and battery life through new processor cores and chipsets and faster wireless. WiMAX functionality is expected to be added later this year. Intel is introducing five dual core processors based on high K metal gate transistors and 45nm manufacturing. The processors have a 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6Mbyte of L2 cache. Meanwhile, three versions reduce processor power consumption to 25W. Intel also unveiled its Mobile Intel 45 Express chipset and wireless Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000 series (pictured). Said to deliver 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 for data rates of up to 450Mbit/s.