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Centrino 2 has been talked about for a while now, and was actually supposed to be announced at Computex last month, but for whatever reason was slightly delayed - until today.

As hinted by the name, Centrino 2 is set to continue what Intel started with Centrino. Kicking off the launch are five new processors, with further chips coming out later in the year - within the next 90 days to be precise. All of these run on 1,066MHz FSBs, pack 6MB of L2 cache and three of them have impressively low 25W TDPs. Along with improved power state management this should lead to marked improvements in battery life.


Centrino 2 isn't just about processors, though. The new Mobile Intel 45 Express Chipset will sit inside every certified notebook, bringing with it the 4500-series integrated graphics solution. As well as improving gaming performance (although not to the extent that it'll rival a discrete solution), it features hardware Blu-ray decode acceleration and switchable graphics, allowing users to swap between integrated and discrete solutions as desired.

Also sported by this chipset is Intel's latest WiFi module, offering Draft-N connectivity, as well as improved range and throughput performance, WiMAX (of use to about three people in the UK) and enhancements to Intel's vPro platform.

All told, Centrino 2 looks to be a great continuation of the revolution Intel started with Centrino. As Mooley Eden, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the company's Mobile Platforms Group, says:

"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' only referred to weight goals and desktop PCs outsold notebooks by a very wide margin. 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."

Obviously a new platform is nothing without products built around it. To that effect Various notebook manufacturers should be detailing their Centrino 2 platform-based ranges later today, and over the coming week - so check back soon for more information.

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