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    Intel Officially Announces New Centrino Platform

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Andrew Baxter, Jan 19, 2005.

  1. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    Intel has announcedanew version of its Centrino platform for notebook computers on this Wednesday January 19. The new platform, known by its development code-name Sonoma,will provide enhanced graphics, processing and sound capabilities fornotebooks carrying this chip.

    [​IMG]

    The Centrino platform got its start in early 2003, it is aimed at notebook computers and consists of three components: the processor, chip set, and a wireless board. The new Centrino platform released today by Intel includes improved versions of all threepieces of this architecture. Thenew chip set, called 915 Express, sits at the heart of these changes.

    The 915 Express chip set providessupport for the PCI Express interconnect technology, whichwill eventually allow people toeasily addmore powerful graphics cards or hard drives to their notebooks. The chipset also supports DDR2 (double data rate 2) memory,the next-generation memory that allows memory chips to run faster. A faster 533MHz front-side bus is also provided by the new chip set,this will increase the speed at which data flows between the processor and the memory. Multimedia improvements include support for Dolby Digital and Dolby 7.1-channel surround sound.

    Wireless Upgrades to Centrino

    Changes have also been made to the wireless side of the package. There is improved networking software, both within the chip set and a new client application, that Intel says will make it easier for users to connect to Wi-Fi access points and several security enhancements aimed at enterprise users.

    Seven new Pentium M processors are available as part of the new Centrino package. Below is a listing and some specs on each processor being released today by Intel:

    1. Intel Pentium M 770 - 2.13GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90nm Architecture - $640
    2. Intel Pentium M 760 - 2.0 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90nm Architecture - $420
    3. Intel Pentium M 750 - 1.86 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90 nm Architecture - $295
    4. Intel Pentium M 740 - 1.73 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90nm Architecture - $240
    5. Intel Pentium M 730 - 1.60 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90nm Architecture - $210
    6. Intel Pentium M 758 (Low Voltage) - 1.50 GHz, 400MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90 nm Architecture - $285
    7. Intel Pentium M 753 (Ultra Low Voltage) - 1.20GHz, 400MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache, 90 nm Architecture - Price Unknown

    Intel presented benchmark tests that it had compiled that showed a notebook PC with a 1.6-GHz processor running the new Centrino platform would deliver a 5% increase in performance with no impact on battery life compared to a similar PC running at the same speed based on the old platform. The difference in graphics performance between the same two PCs is even greater with the new Centrino platform delivering a 91% increase in graphics performance.

    [​IMG]

    New Dell Inspiron 6000 can be configured with the latest Intel Centrino Package

    Several vendors will be releasing notebooks that support the new Intel Centrino platform. Below are some of the notebooks so far announced and available, or soon to be available.

  2. Dell Inspiron 6000 (January)
  3. Dell Inspiron 9300 (?)
  4. Dell Lattitude D610 (?)
  5. Toshiba Dynabook VX 470LS (January)
  6. Toshiba Dynabook SS (MX & LX) (January)
  7. Toshiba Tecra A3 (January)
  8. Toshiba Tecra A4 (January)
  9. Sony VAIO FS Series (see picture below) (February)
  10. Sony VAIO A Series (February)
  11. Samsung X20, X25, X50(February)
  12. Asus Z71A (February)
  13. IBM ThinkPad T43 (March)
  14. IBM ThinkPad R53 (March)
  15. IBM ThinkPad X41 (April)
  16. Fujitsu S6000 Series (March)
  17. Fujitsu S7000 Series (March)
  18. Toshiba Satellite M45 (January)
  19. HP ZT4000 (?)
  20. Compaq Presario V4000 (?)
  21. Acer TravelMate 8100 (January)
  22. BenQ JoyBook S52, S72, A82 (January)
  23. HP Compaq nx6120 (January)
  24. Gateway (February)

    25. [​IMG]

    The new Sony VAIO FS 15.4" widescreennotebook will feature Intel's latest Sonoma chip

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    Andrew Baxter, Jan 19, 2005
    #1
  25. skeg8

    skeg8 Newbie

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    Does that mean that I should cancel my NC6000 order? Is this new NX6120 going to replace it?? What should I do???
     
    skeg8, Jan 19, 2005
    #2
  26. dock44

    dock44 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I wonder if anyone has the scoop on if the 9300 will be RELEASED in January, or is it just the announcement/specs that we've already all seen?

    -Kevin
     
    dock44, Jan 19, 2005
    #3
  27. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    All current PM machines will be replaced in the next few months. As for returning or cancelling, in most cases you're going to have to wait another month or two. I think the updates are pretty significant though and anyone who can cancel probably should. If nothing else than to take advantage of price cuts of the current models.

    Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com
     
    Brian, Jan 19, 2005
    #4
  28. ivanillich

    ivanillich Newbie

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    Specs for the T43:

    http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=8797772&storeId=1&langId=-1&catalogId=-840

    Looks like this too will initially ship with the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900. Is this merely a new shared graphics memory card, or is this a true graphics card? If not, how does the new platform take advantage of the PCI express architecture?
     
    ivanillich, Jan 19, 2005
    #5
  29. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    the T43 is for the first time eing offered with an integrated graphics card as one of the config options, so it is not dedicated no. The ATI X300 and X600 dedicated cards will also be offered though, but will boost the price of the T43.
     
    Andrew Baxter, Jan 19, 2005
    #6
  30. dextius

    dextius Notebook Enthusiast

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    Awesome news on the T43...

    So, now it's down to two systems.. (depending on which one has a better graphics card)...

    The T43, or the Inspiron 6000, as they both have port replication..

    Can't wait..

    inevitable
     
    dextius, Jan 19, 2005
    #7
  31. Viper

    Viper Newbie

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    Where are Sonoma nobebooks with X800/6800go on MXM? Still havent heard anything about them.
     
    Viper, Jan 19, 2005
    #8
  32. Chadorr

    Chadorr Newbie

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    There wont be I9300 for another six months according to Dell
     
    Chadorr, Jan 19, 2005
    #9
  33. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    Add to the list Gateway. They're announcing on Feb 10th.

    Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com
     
    Brian, Jan 19, 2005
    #10
  34. dock44

    dock44 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brian or Abaxter, do either of ya'll have Dell connections to find the true scoop behind the Dell 9300. One guy just posted that he just took delivery of his 9200 and under system properties it showed the model as an i9300. Sounds like they may just convert the 9200 to the sonoma mobo/chipset. Are they going to change the name? Are they going with PCI express? Well hopefully this stuff gets squared away soon enough. :)

    -Kevin
     
    dock44, Jan 19, 2005
    #11
  35. beq

    beq Notebook Guru

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    Shoot, I was hoping the T43 would come out January (which was the estimate last time around). Needing to buy now for my situation, not sure I can wait 2 months...

    Is anyone also excited about the X41?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 5, 2015
    beq, Jan 19, 2005
    #12
  36. beq

    beq Notebook Guru

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    The photo alone is a beauty (not that it looks any different than previously [ :)]):
    http://news.com.com/Photo+Going+mobile/2009-1040_3-5542103.html

    From the accompanying article:
    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>IBM has also added the new chips to its ThinkPad line. It will offer a ThinkPad T43 model, which incorporates the chips along with IBM tools such as Rescue and Recovery 2.0 for recovering from viruses or retrieving lost data. The T43, which IBM says will begin shipping next month, offers a range of Pentium M processors, Intel wireless modules and hard drives up to 80GB for a price starting at $1,499, the company said in a statement.<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    beq, Jan 19, 2005
    #13
  37. aamsel

    aamsel Notebook Evangelist

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    So...
    How quick do you think we will see price cuts on the current models???
    I am about 10 days away from having to keep the T42 I just received, or returning it and re-ordering or waiting.
    IBM had a few price cuts on the website, but most of them were in the $100 range. Do you think that it won't be until they are shipping the T43's that the T42 prices will really fall???

    Andrew
    Austin, TX


    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Brian
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    aamsel, Jan 19, 2005
    #14
  38. TempleGuy

    TempleGuy Newbie

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    Dell is full of SH!T, the Inspiron 9300 should be out next week.

    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Chadorr
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    TempleGuy, Jan 19, 2005
    #15
  39. davids

    davids Notebook Consultant

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    but but but... the release dates for the good stuff is just __soooo___ far away. 80 was cut down to like 2.

    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Brian
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    davids, Jan 19, 2005
    #16
  40. joeld100

    joeld100 Notebook Guru

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    Any news on what models will be released with the X700 video card besides the Travelmate 8100's? Also, does acer only sell preconfigured models, or can you configure one before you buy? I'd like the model w/ 1gb of ram, but I don't need the way faster cpu or 100gb hard drive...or windows...
     
    joeld100, Jan 20, 2005
    #17
  41. golfkwesi

    golfkwesi Notebook Guru

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by joeld100
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    golfkwesi, Jan 20, 2005
    #18
  42. jherber

    jherber Notebook Consultant

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by dock44
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    jherber, Jan 20, 2005
    #19
  43. dock44

    dock44 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It started with this link http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=59676

    May of just been the wrong install disc by Dell but may be proof of a 9300 in some form or fashion being announced soon.

    -Kevin
     
    dock44, Jan 20, 2005
    #20
  44. davids

    davids Notebook Consultant

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    what does this implicate about how 'neato' the new technology is. we can't even identify it yet!

    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jherber
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    davids, Jan 20, 2005
    #21
  45. jherber

    jherber Notebook Consultant

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by dock44
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    jherber, Jan 20, 2005
    #22
  46. bent

    bent Notebook Enthusiast

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    *prays for Inspiron 700M update with good PCI-E graphics*
     
    bent, Jan 20, 2005
    #23
  47. canadaguy

    canadaguy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I don't think you'll see an update in the 700m for PCIe support, more likely you'll see a newer model out from Dell.
     
    canadaguy, Jan 21, 2005
    #24
  48. bent

    bent Notebook Enthusiast

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    I trust you're right. What I really mean is that I want a lappie with low weight, small bright widescreen, and good graphics hardware. The 700m wins in two out of three of those, but the graphics are a sticking point. My wait continues!
     
    bent, Jan 21, 2005
    #25
  49. jherber

    jherber Notebook Consultant

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by bent
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    jherber, Jan 21, 2005
    #26
  50. bent

    bent Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's definitely getting close! Sony's premium prices are a killer, though, and I'd like to get an even newer video card (that has ATI 9700).

    Yeah, I may be dreamin' here, but I don't have to buy until May or so. Let's see what comes out.
     
    bent, Jan 21, 2005
    #27
  51. Terrapin

    Terrapin Newbie

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    Why can't someone make my ideal notebook: 14 inch widescreen SXGA+ ; 1.86-2 GHz Pent. M 533Mhz FSB, 1 GB 533Mhz ram; 60 GB 7200 rpm; 128mb pci express video card ; CDRW
     
    Terrapin, Jan 21, 2005
    #28
  52. joeld100

    joeld100 Notebook Guru

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    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Terrapin
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    joeld100, Jan 21, 2005
    #29
  53. Terrapin

    Terrapin Newbie

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    yeah i could do with a 15 inch screen, but 15.4 wide is just too big to be considered a notebook.
     
    Terrapin, Jan 21, 2005
    #30
  54. canadaguy

    canadaguy Notebook Enthusiast

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    it will take a few months...the sonoma release was delayed as it was, but i think intel felt a bit of pressure to at least place preliminary focus on sonoma at CES. Thus, even though the "grand entrance" of sonoma occured this week, it'll be several months before you see the major manufacturers taking full advantage of sonoma's capabilities and producing the current chip sets that are offered.
     
    canadaguy, Jan 22, 2005
    #31