Conclusion

It is indeed a great day for notebook enthusiasts. If you were impressed when Intel launched the Core 2 Duo (Merom) mobile processors, you will be further impressed with the new Centrino Duo and Centrino Pro platforms.

The new chipset is not only a much better match for the Core 2 Duo processor, it also offers new features and technologies like a new WiFi module and support for Windows Vista's ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive features.

Although we have yet to test a Santa Rosa notebook yet, these new notebooks will undoubtedly be much faster, thanks to the faster front side bus speed of 800MHz and the new Dynamic Acceleration feature. The Dynamic Acceleration feature alone will ensure faster performance for single-threaded applications.

For those who have long suffered from the lacklustre performance of Intel's previous integrated graphics solutions, you may be relieved to know that the new GMA X3100 is reputedly about 3X faster than the GMA950. While that may not allow you to play Crysis or S.T.A.L.K.E.R., it should allow you to play less stressful games like Doom 3 or Quake 4 when in the past, you may only be able to render the scenes frame by painful frame.

While Intel is offering support for their Draft-N WiFi module, it's still not yet a ratified standard. It might be a good idea to hold off on that module until 802.11n is a standard. It's unfortunate that Intel will reportedly not add support for WiMAX until the next platform, Montevina, is launched in 2008. However, there are rumours that Intel may still introduce WiMAX later this year. We will just have to wait and see.

The Intel Turbo Memory is an interesting feature. Although its performance and cost-effectiveness cannot yet be ascertain, when compared to potentially cheaper USB flash memory drives or hybrid hard drives, it at least offers an integrated flash memory option for those who prefer that. It will certainly gives us much food for thought.. and some interesting test opportunities.

Overall, we are very enthusiastic about this new platform. It will serve well as the new mobile platform for Intel. Even if its performance and features do not impress you, Intel's marketing efforts certainly will.

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