Intel Corporation President and CEO Paul Otellini has unveiled, in a keynote speech held at CES 2006, two new platforms and several content alliances that provide the foundation for new experiences from digital entertainment and wireless laptops, and include the new high–performance, low–power Intel Core Duo processor.
Besides the entertainment-oriented Viiv platform, Otellini also introduced the Centrino Duo Mobile Technology. According to CNETNews, the centrepiece of the Duo Mobile chipset, previously code-named Napa, is Intel’s Core Duo chip, which places two mobile processing cores on one chip. Two other components, Intel’s Mobile 945 chipset and Pro/Wireless 3945a/b/g chip, are also part of the new chipset. A single-core version of the new technology is called Core Solo. In addition to powering the next generation of laptops, Duo will be at the centre of Intel’s new Viiv platform, which will seek to firmly place PCs at the centre of home entertainment.
Otellini also pointed out a number of features that can make Centrino Duo mobile technology the ultimate on–the–go entertainment system. In addition to performance, battery life and wireless connectivity options, systems will be available in a variety of sizes from thin and light laptops to more powerful ones with 17–inch plus widescreens –– and surround sound, enhanced graphics and high–definition TV support depending on the model.
Among an array of expected benefits for consumers using dual-core-equipped laptops are improved gaming and multitasking performance. In a Quake 4 demo run by Intel executives, a dual-core laptop delivered approximately 50 percent more frames per second than a single-core laptop. Unlike Quake 4, which is multithreaded, most of today’s software applications are not optimized to take advantage of dual-core processing.
Intel executives said that Core Duo’s more efficient power consumption will mean that users can expect to get 5 hours of battery life from a standard battery and 10 hours from an extended cell
Dual-core architecture will also influence computer design, allowing for smaller, quieter laptops and desktop PCs. Intel expects Core Duo to make its way into 230 different notebook designs in the first half of 2006.
Intel also stated that the Core Duo platform will support the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista.
“With our new platforms, we’re not only boosting wireless computing, but also advancing digital entertainment a few steps closer to effortless,” said Otellini. “Just as we enabled exciting new norms with wireless broadband laptops, we’re working with computer, CE and entertainment companies to make home entertainment easier. Our unique processors, tailored platform features and joint work with these industries exemplify our push to advance on–demand delivery of movies, TV, music, games and photos to any home on virtually any screen.”