The Hindu Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006
Intel unveils Centrino dual-core technology
Karthik Subramanian
Core components designed by the Bangalore centre
MUMBAI: Just when you thought it could not get any better, it actually did. Or so claims Intel, the semiconductor chip giant, which launched its dual-core mobile technology platform for laptops in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Intel's Centrino Duo is tipped to deliver both dramatic computing performance improvements and cuts in power consumption.
It will feature the dual core processors that pack two processors in a single CPU (central processing unit) and is expected to deliver advancements in multi-tasking, enabling the user to operate several programs. The technology also shrinks the size of the chipsets, translating into sleeker laptops.
A major chunk of the design development of Centrino duo has been carried out by Intel's development centre in Bangalore.
Anand Chandrasekar, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of sales and marketing group, Intel Corporation, who launched the technology in the presence of Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister for Information and Technology, termed it as a major contribution to the world from India. "We view it as the second major leap forward for the company since the launch of the Pentium processors in 1993. In the context of mobility, the technology is nothing short of a revolution,'' Mr. Anand said. Lavish in praise for the development team from Bangalore, he said that by the year 2007, almost every laptop being sold would have a component designed by Intel India. Intel will start phasing out its second generation Centrino processors and by the end of this year, completely replace it with Centrino Duo.
In his address, Mr. Maran appealed to Intel to consider setting up a semiconductor chip fabrication unit in India. "It is the dream of every country to have a semiconductor fabrication unit. You (Intel) have realised the potential of our engineers in design development. Now it is your turn to set up a fabrication unit here. We would love to have semiconductor chips with the `made in India' tag. The government is ready to help you.''
At the launch, Intel also unveiled a new range of laptops sporting the Centrino Duo platform from ACER, Toshiba, HCL and IBM Thinkpad.
Others from Intel present at the launch included Frank Jones, president, Intel India, Ram Vasantharam, Director, Mobility Group, Intel India Development Centre and Amar Babu, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing (South Asia).