Vowing to stretch its Centrino mobile computing brand from executive laptops to a full range of both business and consumer portables, Intel Corp. has launched a second generation of Pentium M processors, chipsets, and wireless network adapters under the Centrino label. The updated platform, formerly codenamed "Sonoma," boosts the Pentium M's front-side bus from 400MHz to 533MHz and adds support for dual-channel DDR-2 memory, PCI Express graphics and future ExpressCard peripherals, and Serial ATA storage. In addition to the faster bus, the 90-nanometer-process Pentium M 770 (2.13GHz), 760 (2.0GHz), 750 (1.86GHz), 740 (1.73GHz), and 730 (1.6GHz) processors all feature 2MB of Level 2 cache and the "execute disable bit" function that helps Windows XP Service Pack 2 reduce virus attacks. Intel's also introduced Low Voltage Pentium M 758 (1.5GHz) and Ultra Low Voltage Pentium M 753 (1.2GHz) CPUs with the 400MHz bus, as well as a Pro/Wireless 2915ABG (802.11a/b/g) wireless controller to join the Pro/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g).

The new 915PM Express, 915GM Express, and 915GMS Express (400MHz bus) mobile chipsets share many technologies with Intel's current 915 desktop series, including High Definition Audio and -- for the latter two -- Graphics Media Accelerator 900 integrated graphics. They support DDR-2/400 and /533 memory and both Serial and Parallel ATA storage devices. The mobile graphics engine offers faster performance than the original Centrino 855GM/GME plus dual independent displays and dynamic screen-backlight management to help stretch laptop battery life. Intel says PC makers will introduce over 150 "Sonoma" notebook designs this year, from surround-sound desktop replacements to sub-three-pound slimlines. OEM (1,000-unit) prices for the new Pentium M processors range from $270 to $705. Rival AMD announced last week it will challenge the Centrino marketing blitz with a new line of power-optimized Turion 64 mobile processors later in the first half of 2005, repositioning its Mobile Athlon 64 chips for laptop buyers who want top performance for the most demanding applications.