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As notebook shipments have begun to significantly outpace the sales of desktop computers, each new notebook platform launched by Intel becomes more important to the company. This Monday July 14 marks the launch of Intel’s Centrino 2 platform, previously known by the code-name Montevina. The launch comes weeks after Intel had planned due to a problem with Intel’s own integrated graphics for the platform.

In fact, the Centrino 2 notebooks running Intel’s own integrated graphics will not be available on Monday. Only Centrino 2 systems running discrete graphics from NVIDIA or ATI will be available on Monday.

According to eWeek, the Centrino 2 platform is aimed at enterprise users, but it will find its way into consumer focused notebooks as well. The Centrino 2 platform will be the first mobile platform to take advantage of Intel’s new 45nm Penryn CPUs and the CPUs will run from 2.4GHz to 2.8GHz.

Also supported by the Centrino 2 platform is DDR3 RAM along with 802.11n and WiMAX. The move from the 65nm CPUs used in previous mobile platforms to 45nm parts in the Centrino 2 platform should lead to increased battery life and lower heat output — both very important to notebook users. The first 45-nm processors in the Centrino 2 platform will be dual-core parts, but quad-core CPUs will be available for the platform later.

Full Article: DailyTech

These delays for their integrated graphics definitely aren’t good, but it is reassuring to see that they are still going to launch the platform and not delay it entirely again. It also looks as if Sony might be the first to deploy notebooks with the new tech according to this article from Engadget. Since I am more of a Dell person, I eagerly await what they may have to offer in regards to a refresh in their XPS line, hope it is soon.