Intel's New Wireless Platform: Centrino

The chipset allows for wireless Internet access on laptop PCs. Throughout a day-long launch event in Manhattan, the world's largest maker of microprocessors is showcasing its Centrino mobile technology, which is embedded in the latest generation of smaller, lightweight laptops from manufacturers such as Dell, Gateway and HP. Embedded with "smart" technology that powers itself down in order to consume less battery juice, the Centrino platform also comes with an 802.11b, or Wi-Fi networking card embedded in the laptops' mini-PCI system. Add it all up and Centrino represents the sum of Intel's new line of products: processors as platforms that build wireless Internet access into laptop computers. The new Centrino module represents another bold step toward wireless networking for Intel, which has already put its money and market position behind Cometa, the company it launched in December along with AT&T and IBM. Cometa is building wireless access networks for businesses to resell to consumers. Centrino is a combination of Intel's Pentium M processor, the Intel 855 chipset family and its PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection card that is built into the laptop near the motherboard. Intel said all the components are optimized, validated and tested to work together with mobility in mind.