Centrino is a platform-marketing initiative from Intel. It is not a mobile CPU - rather, the term covers a particular combination of mainboard chipset, mobile CPU and wireless network interface in the design of a laptop. Intel claims systems equipped with these technologies deliver better performance, longer battery life and broad wireless network interoperability.
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Centrino is a platform-marketing initiative from Intel. It is not a mobile CPU - rather, the term covers a particular combination of mainboard chipset, mobile CPU and wireless network interface in the design of a laptop. Intel claims systems equipped with these technologies deliver better performance, longer battery life and broad wireless network interoperability.
Marketing
Intel has reportedly invested US$300 million in Centrino advertising. The Centrino marketing program has been widely assumed to be responsible for the success of Intel-based laptop PCs which promote wireless network. Because of the ubiquity of the marketing campaign, many consumers mistakenly refer to Pentium M and Intel Core processors as Centrino processor.
- Many consumers have received the impression that only Centrino provides wireless connectivity in a laptop.
- There is also some confusion with Core 2 Duo and Centrino Duo. Centrino Duo is the combination of Core 2 Duo and Intel Next Gen Wireless Systems. Core 2 Duo however is referring to the mobile CPU directly. Hence this lead to new Centrino branding in 2008.
In order to qualify for a Centrino label, laptop vendors must use all three Intel-qualified parts under each platform. Using only the processor and mobile chipset will carry the Pentium M, Pentium Dual-Core, Celeron, Intel Core or Intel Core 2 label instead. Intel issues the logo sticker as part of the package deal for qualifying their products.
Although Apple uses Intel laptop components (e.g. in MacBooks), they cannot advertise as Centrino because the Intel wireless chipset is not used. Hence Apple's laptops are marketed as featuring Core 2 Duo processors with a special Apple-designed logo instead. See Apple-Intel architecture.
Centrino branding
In order for a smooth platform transition over Centrino 2, and current confusion over the Centrino logo, Intel had started to have brand names and logos changed for Napa and Santa Rosa notebook platforms in the Q2 2008 onwards. Intel had announced the new processor ratings together with new Centrino logo in the Q3 2009 onwards.
Carmel platform (2003)
Intel used Carmel as the codename for the first-generation Centrino platform, introduced in March 2003.
Industry-watchers initially criticized the Carmel platform for its lack of an IEEE 802.11g-solution, because many independent Wi-Fi chip-makers like Broadcom and Atheros had already started shipping 802.11g products. Intel responded that the IEEE had not finalized the 802.11g standard at the time of Carmel's launch, and that it only wanted to launch products based on a finalized standard. In early 2004, after the finalization of the 802.11g standard, Intel permitted an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG to substitute for the 2100. At the same time, they permitted the new Dothan Pentium M to substitute for the Banias Pentium M. Initially, Intel permitted only the 855GM chipset, which did not support external graphics. Later , Intel allowed the 855GME and 855PM chips, which did support external graphics, in Centrino laptops.
