Intel launches Santa Rosa, promises better performance, battery life and Wi-Fi
Intel has officially launched its new Intel Centrino processor platform, otherwise known as ”Santa Rosa”. The company has announced a new faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor, as well as a raft of new technologies that it says will give notebook users better performance, longer battery life and improved wireless networking.
The so-called next-generation Intel Core 2 Duo processor features an 800 MHz front size bus (FSB). The onboard cache has been doubled from 2 MB to 4 MB, and a new feature, Enhanced Dynamic Acceleration, is said to speed up certain tasks by allowing one core to operate faster by slowing down its sister core.
According to Intel, raw floating point calculations have been improved by a factor of two, when compared to the previous generation of processors.
The new Core 2 Duo processor is manufactured using a 65 nm process, although Intel hinted that it would move to a 45 nm process for new products later in the year.
“The consumer experience of games and video will be made better with our new technology platform,” said Intel spokesperson, Tim Bailey.
Bailey was not able to quantify the improvement in battery life, but he did say that over the past four years there had been a vast increase in the capabilities offered by notebook, while battery life had also been getting longer, despite the extra demands.
Other technologies launched by Intel include:
Mobile Intel 965 Express mobile chipset, which features integrated graphics for better 3D games and video performance. The chipset has been optimized for Microsoft Vista.
Intel Wireless WWII Link 4965AGN, which incorporates ”next-gen” Wireless-N. Intel says this is five times faster and offers twice the range of standard Wi-Fi. Wi-Max won’t be introduced as an integrated option until 2008, according to Intel.
Intel Turbo Memory is an optional module that allows software applications to load twice as fast. It is also said to offer up to 20% faster boot time, and provide power savings through reduced HDD spins.
Centrino Pro Processor Technology is a mobile technology platform that is optimized for business, and includes built-in management and proactive technology. For example this platform allows system administrators to remotely help users with problems, and do things such as detect whether an anti-virus program has been disabled.
Intel says it expects around 230 Intel Centrino Duo and Intel Centrino Pro processor models to appear in the coming 12 months.
Intel also revealed that it expects notebook sales to continue to enjoy double-digit sales growth in coming years, and that it expects that notebook/desktop sales will be evenly split by 2009.
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