Intel describes performance, innovation and roadmap updates for client products

Intel Corporation today disclosed performance capabilities and technical details for the upcoming Intel Centrino mobile technology to be used in laptop PCs. The company also described key technical features for Intel`s next-generation desktop PC microprocessor, codenamed Prescott, and outlined plans for upcoming desktop chipsets, while highlighting several products based on Intel XScale technology.

The disclosures were made today at the Intel Developer Forum, Spring 2003 where Intel representatives also described how the company`s technology advancements integrating computing and communications functions, would benefit consumers and businesses.

Anand Chandrasekher, vice-president and co-general manager of Intel`s Mobile Platforms Group, said the upcoming Intel Centrino mobile technology will be introduced on 12 March at speeds up to 1.6 GHz.

Intel Centrino mobile technology-based notebook PCs running at 1.6 GHz deliver higher performance and enable longer battery life than comparable 2.4GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M notebooks, according to tests running commonly used PC software applications. Intel Centrino mobile technology includes an Intel Pentium M processor, an Intel 855 chipset and an Intel Pro/Wireless 2100 network connection.

"The new architectural design enables Intel Centrino mobile technology to deliver a higher level of performance, at lower frequencies because the design innovations deliver performance in a power-friendly way," said Chandraskeher. "These design innovations enable the delivery of cutting-edge performance, longer battery life and wireless connectivity that mobile users need."

Intel will continue increasing its desktop and mobile processor performance leadership later this year by introducing products built using Intel`s advanced 90-nanometer (nm) manufacturing technology, enabling higher performance chips with lower operating voltages at a lower cost per unit. In the second half of this year, Prescott and the second-generation microprocessor for the Intel Centrino mobile technology family will be manufactured on 90-nm technology.

Prescott will feature enhancements to Intel`s Hyper-Threading Technology and the Intel NetBurst microarchitecture. In addition, new features include an 800MHz front side bus and a 1MB L2 cache. The second-generation microprocessor for the Intel Centrino mobile technology family will offer higher frequencies than its predecessor and incorporate several architectural advances, boosting overall system performance as Intel quickens the pace of innovation.

In addition to delivering high performance microprocessors, Intel will introduce two chipsets, codenamed Springdale and Canterwood, during the first half of the year. These new chipsets are designed to deliver a balanced platform with innovative features valued by home and office PC users. The Canterwood chipset will support Hyper-Threading Technology and have new features such as dual channel DDR400 memory support, a fast 800MHz system bus, AGP8X and integrated Serial ATA/RAID. Canterwood-based platforms will enable the highest levels of performance for Intel Pentium 4 processor-based desktop PCs.

The Springdale chipset is designed to deliver improved productivity, stability and reliability for corporations` desktop PCs. Features include Intel`s next generation integrated graphics, soft RAID, a new architecture designed to increase Gigabit Ethernet networking performance, dual channel DDR400 memory and Intel Stable Driver Technology.

Intel also announced a new program called Granite Peak where Intel chipsets will be compatible with Intel`s leading-edge desktop and mobile microprocessors for six quarters. This will help corporate IT organisations deploy standardised hardware and software configurations over longer periods of time.

"Standardised computing equipment helps corporate IT managers decrease the complexity of managing a diverse PC base, saving them time and money," said Louis Burns, vice-president and co-general manager of Intel`s Desktop Platforms Group. "Our new Granite Peak program, combined with our high performance Pentium 4 processors with Hyper-Threading Technology and the Springdale chipset will enable corporations to improve employee productivity and reduce the IT support burden by providing a stable platform."

Burns showed several Intel Digital Home building blocks, including a new reference platform, codenamed Statesboro, with a Linksys Digital Media Adapter based on an Intel reference design, which allows wireless distribution of digital media throughout the home. He also showed Intel`s new 2004 concept platform, codenamed Powersville, which provided end-user valued features for both the digital home and office.

Intel also discussed several industry-enabling programs in place to provide a better mobile experience for Intel Centrino mobile technology-based notebook users.

Chandrasekher said that the Intel Communications Fund already has invested $25 million in more than 15 wireless networking companies in order to help accelerate wireless network deployment worldwide. Intel also is working with hotel chains, telecommunications service providers and retail outlets and conducting extensive verification of public WiFi network access points, commonly called hotspots, for use with Intel Centrino mobile technology. Several thousand hotspots will be verified by year-end.

Intel also is focused on further integrating computing and communications functions in wireless handheld devices including cell phones. The company`s efforts to develop high performance, integrated wireless silicon products are accelerating the transition from voice-only phones to advanced devices that combine voice and data.

"The past week marked several significant milestones for us," said Gadi Singer, vice-president of the Wireless Computing and Communications Group and general manager of Intel`s PCA Components Group. "We introduced a cellular processor that combines advanced processing, leading communications technologies and flash memory into a single chip, announced several new design wins, and unveiled industry-enabling efforts with several wireless carriers."

In addition, top phone makers, including Maxon Telecom, Co, Ltd, MiTAC International Corporation and Hitachi Ltd have selected Intel processors based on the Intel XScale technology for upcoming data-enabled cell phones. Intel and Microsoft also announced the immediate availability of the Intel PXA262 cellular phone reference design running the Windows Smartphone* operating system and featuring Intel XScale technology and integrated Intel On-Chip Flash memory that utilises Intel`s advanced MCP stacking technology.