Intel outlines changes to Core CPU branding
updated 04:00 pm EDT, Wed June 17, 2009
Intel announces rebranding
Intel's corporate communications manager Bill Calder, in a Wednesday post on the company's corporate blog, informed readers of forthcoming changes in the chipmaker's brand structure. Calder admits Intel's current complex structure has too many platform brands, and product names and brands, which confuses customers. This will start with leading with Intel and what it has done for technology, with Calder pointing to the company's Sponsors of Tomorrow ad campaign.
Intel will also simplify its Intel Core range of products, getting rid of confusing Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and similar names in favor of simpler Core i3 and Core i5 designations joining the recently unveiled Core i7 chips. These will not be brands but rather modifiers that will have different features and benefits. As an example, Calder cites upcoming codenamed Lynnfield CPUs will carry the Intel Core brand but be available as either Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 depending on their features and capabilities. The mobile Clarksfield processors, its most advanced, will go under the Core i7 name.
Core i3 will be reserved for entry-level products, Core i5 for mid-range products and i7 for flagship offerings. Celeron will be retained for affordable, entry-level PCs, Pentiums will relate to basic computer and Atoms will remain tied to netbooks, smartphones and other handheld devices. The hierarchy will flow from Celeron at the bottom end, through Pentium, to Core.
As the third way of rebranding itself, Intel will change and transition its platform brands over time. Intel vPro will remain as the top-of-the-line security and manageability technology and be teamed with Intel Core i5 or Core i7 chips. Starting in 2010, Calder promises Intel's business client systems will be called either Intel Core i7 vPro or Intel Core i5 vPro. This will result in a send-off for the Centrino processor brand, though it will remain in place for Wi-Fi and WiMAX-enabled products in 2010.
Calder points out the transition will take time, and during this time, some of the older brands will remain even through next year.











clear as mud
06/17, 04:14pm reply
How does this make any sense? All I can think it that they are taking a page from BMW (3-series, 5-series, etc.). Otherwise, where the heck does 3i, 5i, 7i come from? 1,2,3 was too straightforward? What if I want a 9i or 11i (for the Spinal Tap afficionados)? And using the word CORE is rather stupid too, since how many cores a particular CPU has is still relevant. "My Intel CORE 3i has one core, and my CORE 7i has 8 cores. Cool, eh?"
malax
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
Pretty Straightforward
06/17, 06:22pm reply
It all makes sense now! Good thing they are doing this, because I was confused before...
jbwith84
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2008
Not bad
06/17, 07:19pm reply
Honestly it's not that bad Core 2 Duo was the worst name idea ever!
Salty
Professional Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
Not bad
06/17, 07:19pm reply
Sorry wait I meant behind 3G S :P
Salty
Professional Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
too bad
06/17, 07:28pm reply
I have a much better idea, why don't they just differentiate all their products on clock speed, now that really would clear things up, and demonstrate that they have the fastest chips...
chucker
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2007
Harrumph!
06/17, 07:59pm reply
This stupidity makes Microsoft's multiple versions of Vista look intelligent and logical.
SlimGem
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Joined: Jul 2008
Marketing Department
06/17, 11:34pm reply
Intel's Marketing Department is full of idiots.
fahlman
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Joined: Jun 2003
Almost Had Me
06/18, 08:15am reply
OK simplification I can understand, and they need.
But retaining, Celeron, Pentium ect does not remove any confusion for the average consumer.
Atom i? for net-books and Cell Phones and Core i? for everything else makes more sense, where i? indicates capability.
jstephe
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
I agree
06/18, 08:16am reply
with all the comments above, particularly "clear as mud." :)
Intel -- why are you so afraid of giving the chips NAMES? You know, names that make it clear that chip A is different than chip B?
Example: without knowing, I could easily tell you that the MacBook Pro is a more advanced model than a MacBook. Duh.
chas_m
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001