Friday, May 11, 2007

 

What Else Is New

Inside Intel's New Centrino Duo and Centrino Pro

(Santa Rosa)
What Else Is New

The Intel Graphics Meda Accelerator X3100 integrated graphics now offer DirectX10 support and improved gaming performance. Still, this integrated solution is no match for discrete options from the likes of nVidia (as seen in the ThinkPad T61) and ATI (as seen in the E-265M and HDX9000). Intel has also upped the maximum amount of allocated video memory to 384MB (from 224MB), allowing Windows Vista to process its translucent interface and redraw high-resolution screens without hiccups. The bump up to 384MB also means that the graphics core has a bigger appetite for memory. Our suggestion is to boost system memory to 2GB whenever possible, in order to leave enough memory for other functions. Intel's 4965AGN chip is the next generation of Wi-Fi, supporting the draft 802.11n standard. You'll be able to get realistic throughput speeds of 130 Mbps, provided that you have a compatible 802.11n router. The 4965AGN chipset will not, however, have the support for the WiMAX standard that many had anticipated.


NAND Flash or Solid State memory will soon replace the spinning hard drive. For now, many OEMs will be looking into Intel's Turbo Memory, an optional feature in the new Centrino platforms. Intel Turbo Memory consists of Intel's NAND Flash and Intel software drivers. This additional flash component can benefit a laptop in several ways. Flash memory reduces the amount of time it takes for a PC to power up and access programs by a process called caching. Intel Turbo Memory is available in either a 512MB or a 1GB configuration. PC makers can integrate either solution by soldering it separately onto the motherboard or via a plug-in PCI-E module. The ThinkPad T61 takes advantage of this feature by incorporating a 512MB module.

Intel's new Centrino Duo and Pro chipsets are a promising platform. Improvements include faster processors to accompany the speedier FSB, draft 802.11n support, a more powerful graphics core, and the Turbo Memory feature. The Santa Rosa platform has already set the stage for this year's laptops. It's up to you to take advantage of it.

Benchmark Test Results
Check out the details of the benchmark test results for the laptops with the new Centrino platform.

Labels: centrino

by dayatna at 8:20 PM |