Intel lifts the lid on Centrino 2 laptops - update

Intel has finally unveiled Centrino 2, the latest version of its laptop platform. The new hardware includes more power-efficient dual-core processors and faster draft 802.11n Wi-Fi support. However, improved management features in Intel's embedded Active Management Technology (AMT) are likely to be the key selling point for enterprises.

Available immediately, Centrino 2 brings further advances in performance and battery life, enough for a user to watch an entire Blu-Ray movie on battery power for the first time, according to Intel.

"The Centrino 2 value proposition is a balance between performance and power consumption," said Intel European mobile marketing manager Kris Rodolf.

New Core 2 Duo processors feature clock speeds of 2.8GHz to 2.26GHz. These have a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache, with Deep Power Down technology to turn off parts of the chip when not needed. Three of the chips have a thermal envelope of 25W, down from the previous 35W standard.