Intel to demonstrate Centrino processor in March

Taipei, Jan. 30, 2003 (CENS)--Several major notebook PC makers in Taiwan are ready to push new models with Intel's latest Centrino mobile technology solution, which is scheduled to debut in March.

Industry sources said that Intel plans to pour over US$60 million in promoting the Centrino technology and cooperate with major notebook PC makers to jointly develop the market.

Intel claims that its Centrino delivers cutting-edge system performance and low-power enhancements to extend battery life in notebook PCs, combined with integrated wireless connectivity and standards-based security support. The technologies represented by the Intel Centrino brand will include a microprocessor (formerly code-named "Banias"), related chipsets and 802.11 (Wi-Fi) wireless networking capability.

Major notebook PC makers in Taiwan have been informed by Intel that a series of Centrino product campaigns would start in March 12. At least two local notebook PC makers, including Acer Inc. and Asustek Computer Inc., are scheduled to begin delivery of Centrino processor-equipped models in late February.

The Centrino processors are expected to be priced higher than Pentium 4 (P4) processors. Notebook PC makers expect that Centrino-equipped models to account for about 30% of their shipments this year, with the ratio rising significantly next year.

Acer president J.T. Wang expressed confidence about the sales prospects of Centrino-equipped notebook PC models. He said that the new technology will lead to the biggest generational change in the notebook PC industry in the past three to five years.

According to Wang, the outstanding power-saving technology and integrated wireless networking capability of the Centrino will help the notebook PC industry push the so-called "Desknote" models (notebook PCs with desktop PC components) out of the mobile computing market.

Delivering five to six hours of computing, Centrino-equipped notebook PC models will usher in true "mobile computing," Wang said.