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-- Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC and SEHK: 4335) released Centrino 2,
next generation mobile platform for laptops, in Beijing on July 15,
2008.
The release was put off for more than half a month due to failure of
integrated graphics cards and certification of wireless access
technology.
Centrino 2, codenamed as Montevina, is the most advanced laptop
platform released by the world's largest semiconductor company, which
promises higher integrated graphic performance as well as less power
consumption.
The platform provides clearer 3D observation and high-
definition (HD) viewing for Blu-ray playback in consumer laptops. Users
can watch a two-hour HD movie with a single charge of laptop batteries.
Moreover, the platform makes business laptops securer and easier to
use.
Nearly 250 models of consumer and business laptops will soon
come into the market, revealed Ian Yang, vice president of Intel
Corporation, Intel's Sales and Marketing Group, and general manager of
Intel China. Eight models of refreshed processors will also be promoted
within the next three months, including the first model of four-core
laptop processor.
Intel is said to fight Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD)
in the laptop field with Centrino 2. Last month, the latter released
Puma, its next-generation laptop platform, which is a complete mobile
platform with the help of third-party Internet access cards. After
acquiring ATI Technologies, a manufacturer of chipsets and video cards
for use in desktops, laptops, and TVs, AMD is able to add
differentiated advantage to Puma.
Centrino 2's producers include Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: Dell), HP,
Toshiba Corporation, while AMD teams up with Acer Inc., Fujifilm
Holdings Corporation, NEC Corporation, Panasonic, and ASUSTeK Computer
Inc. in the production of Puma.
Intel announced that Centrino 2 focused on HD capability, which
is oppugned by insiders, because graphic processing has been AMD's long
suit. In on-spot demonstrations of HD video playback, Centrino 2's CPU
usage rate is around 30%, while AMD's mobile platform only has a rate
of 10%.
In both independent and integrated graphics cards, Intel is
facing challenges. The company relies on archrival AMD, and NVIDIA, a
world leader in visual computing technologies, for technology support.
AMD's 780G chipsets have monopolized the desktop market.
Moreover, Centrino 2 is unable to support WiMAX technology in a
short term. Wireless modules bundled with the platform are not superior
to those of Puma, which are produced by professional communications
companies.
In 2008, the competition in the laptop market will focus on HD
video and 3D games. Intel still has a long way to go in graphic
processing.
(USD 1 = CNY 6.83)
