Centrino
marketing initiative from Intel for a particular combination of CPU, mainboard chipset and wireless network interface in the design of a laptop personal computer. The combination currently consists of a Pentium M processor, the Intel 855 chipset family, and an Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 (IEEE 802.11b) or PRO/Wireless 2200 (IEEE 802.11g) network connection.
Intel has reportedly invested $300 million in advertising. Because of the ubiquity of the marketing campaign, many consumers mistakenly refer to the Pentium M processor as Centrino. This has been advantageous to Intel because there is more demand for "Centrino" based notebooks than for Pentium-M based notebooks. Moreover, many consumers have received the impression that Centrino is the only way to get wireless connectivity in a notebook. The net result is increased demand for Intel's 855 and PRO/Wireless chipsets.
Note: This platform is due to be updated with a new chipset enabling higher RAM and FSB speeds. Some Centrino notebooks already include the enhanced Dothan core Pentium-M.
