Intel: 25-watt mobile chips the "new norm"

Intel expects to make notebook processors running at 25 watts an everyday occurrence, the company said today. The firm now expects most future systems based on its upcoming Centrino 2 mobile platform to consume less power, dropping significantly from the 35 watts of today's Core 2 Duo processors. The shift should both extend battery life as well as cool down the systems themselves, letting PC designers offer slimmer and potentially quieter notebooks without giving up performance.

Intel's statement makes clear that it now considers 35W chips high-performance options reserved for bigger and thicker notebooks; the company has typically reserved that sort of limitation for 44W and higher Core 2 Extreme processors used in very large desktop replacement notebooks.

The semiconductor firm is cautious on details but confirms that at least three of the processors in the Centrino 2 launch will meet the 25W target. Numerous past leaks have confirmed that these will include 2.26GHz, 2.4GHz, and 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processors that offer the same performance as more power-hungry processors.

Besides the greater power efficiency, the new processors will also support a faster 1,066MHz system bus and have the option of using DDR3 memory.

Intel is poised to formally announce Centrino 2 next week and will likely see notebook manufacturers announce new systems immediately afterwards, including new Sony VAIO models; however, the company has also warned that some Centrino 2 notebook chipsets and 802.11n Wi-Fi hardware won't be available until early August. Some systems at both the high and low ends are believed to be affected by the delay, including Apple's new MacBooks.

Filed under: computers, Apple
Other story tags: Intel, sony, MacBook, Core 2, Centrino, VAIO