Intel Centrino Duo: new-generation mobility

For new generations of Intel mobile PC platforms under the common name Centrino , the first quarter has traditionally become the time of official emergence to the world. It seems like just the first month of year will be traditionally the time for that. In 2005, January became the month for announcement of another version of Intel Centrino codenamed Sonoma, and this January – of version Napa. I won't be surprised if the next generation of Centrino – the Santa Rosa, will also take its official launch also in January, but in 2007.

Announcement of a new Centrino version is always the largest event in the industry, but this year Intel decides to merge a number of no less important events concurrently with that announcement. Above all, it is the first official emergence of the innovative technology Intel Viiv for home-based PCs (Entertainment PC).

We will certainly devote one of our further materials to the "entertainment" PCs based on the new Intel Viiv technologywhich allows to view, control and jointly use digital entertainment media for all the family members. Of course, we will introduce our readers to both the technical points of the Intel Viiv architecture and its specific implementation details - the volume of materials on the subject and specific examples has finally reached a sufficient level. There aren't any doubts that among all other facts the Intel Viiv is obliged to the thrilling success of the mobile Centrino platform for its emergence. In fact, mentioning the Intel Viiv in this article doesn't mean an "abstract talk" because today the following is known for sure: chips of the Intel Core Duo family will operate not only as part of the mobile PC of the Intel Centrino Duo platform, but also in some models based on the Intel Viiv technology.

Inspired by successful sales of Centrino kits for many years, Intel last year decided to re-use the experience of delivering finished and mutually certified base components for building reliable computer systems (not just standalone components) in other sectors – servers, desktop PCs, smart-phones, and communicators. We will see very soon what will come of the idea of turning a desktop computer into an item of household electronics together with TV-sets, audio/video systems, vacuum cleaners, because deliveries of systems based on the Intel Viiv have already started. But that is a matter of another material.

Another event that accompanied the announcement of the new generation of the Centrino platform is Intel's complete rebranding. Putting it in a human, not marketing talk, Intel has started this year with a mass replacement of its slogans and trademark names, as well as changes to the exterior of numerous logos - corporate, branding, product-related.

For those who are used to finding their ways in the PC world by the word "Pentium" heard over the TV are in for uneasy times: they will have to learn new unknown terms which will now be used in combination with the company name.

For reference: Intel's current rebranding is merely the third for the whole history the company has been around. Of the previous versions, we can now recall the Intel Memory brand introduced in 1985, then the Intel Pentium which was introduced in 1987 and further commercialized in 1988, as well as Intel Centrino which was the first try of Intel's in the field of platforms that came into being in March 2003. Try memorizing the below logos: while today they still can be seen on various products, they will be a museum exhibits in quite a short time.

In the solid residue - the way the inscription of the company name has been changed, the delineation started looking absolutely different, and new brands have come into being. Today, we are talking about introductions for the mobile platform, which are not only for image-making.