Intel will refresh Montevina platform in April

Intel will provide the Montevina platform, better known as Centrino 2, with a number of new processors in April 2009. The entry-level notebook segment will also have to be equipped with new chipsets.

Just before the mobile variant of the Nehalem processors makes its appearance, Intel gives the Centrino 2 platform another update. The expectation is that the chip maker will launch a Penryn-core-based dual-core T9900 and a P8800. The T9900 would have a clock speed of 3.06GHz, while the P8800 does it with 2.66GHz. The latter processor, however, would be more energy-efficient than the faster T9900 and receive a TDP of 25W. In addition to these two CPUs, the SP9600 and SL9600 will also be launched in early 2009. The former is a regular mobile processor clocked at 2.53GHz and the latter is a low voltage one with a 2GHz clock. Finally, the SU9600 will have to find its way to ultraportable laptops and provide them with a long battery life thanks to very low energy consumption and the accompanying slow, less than 2GHz fast clock.

In addition to the launch of the new processors, Intel would also make new chipsets available for Montevina: in early 2009, GM47 should form the basis of high-end notebooks. The GM43, for entry-level notebooks, and the GM40, for ultraportable laptops, should follow in the second half of the year. The Montevina or Centrino 2 platform for notebooks was officially launched in July this year after a delay. In the third quarter, however, the Centrino platform will already be succeeded by Calpella, which consists of Clarksfield processors and the accompanying mobile Ibex Peak-M chipset.