Question:
Centrino Pro?
I see a lot of talk these days about "Wait a couple of months until Centrino Pro come out"
Why?
What does Centrino Pro have that Core 2 Duo doesn't?
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
* 800MHz front side bus (current Merom tops out at 667MHz FSB)
* 64-bit support (as the current Merom already offers)
* dual-core (as the current Merom already offers)
* 4MB L2 cache
* GM965/PM965 chipsets (Crestline for improved graphics)
* 82566MM Gigabit Network chip
* 4965AGN wireless chip (Kedron) with 802.11n support
* Wi-Max and HSPDA integration (rumored)
total spec needed for centrino pro
jim
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
You don't have to wait for the centrino pro.
If you have a high budget and don't mind paying top dollar for the cutting edge stuff I would suggest you wait for the centrino pro.
However, to get it at competitive pricing maybe you will have to wait a few more months after that.
(Just trying to keep this a little more on-topic of this forum)
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
What does Centrino Pro have that Core 2 Duo doesn't?
The way you put it, those are not comparable - the way to put it would be "What does Centrino Pro platform have that the current Centrino Duo platform doesn't?"
To answer your question, take a look at post #2. To add to that post, also remember there are going to be hybrid hard drives (hard drives with a flash memory bank), and DirectX 10 graphics, although it is unknown whether the latter will be available at launch. Dedicated DirectX 10 chips have been seen at CES 2007, see the front page of NBR for info, as well as our Gaming forum, where there are several discussions going.
And on top of it all, you'll have Windows Vista.
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
So it is not going to replace the Core 2 duo, it is just going to be a step above the current top end Core 2 Duo?
While offering 800mhz, a different chip, etc. I would then have to assume that it will be priced accordingly, correct?
So, if I could only afford (or want to spend, really) a T5600 with 667mhz RAM right now, it would not make any sense at all to wait, because the Centrino Pro will be priced even higher than the current T7200, correct?
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
Read post #3 for your answer ;)
Added note: if you wait it out probably you can get a better processor for cheaper (as always is the case)
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
To add to that post, also remember there are going to be hybrid hard drives (hard drives with a flash memory bank)...
And on top of it all, you'll have Windows Vista.
If I understand correctly, hybrid hard drives are not part of Centrino Pro...and neither is Vista. Rather, running Vista allows you to use hybrid hard drives (with or without Centrino Pro).
On the other hand, Centrino Pro seems to be associated in some intimate way with flash memory on the motherboard (Robson). I am not sure whether this is an integral part of Centrino Pro, or an optional design element.
But it seems to me that the flash cache is the biggest reason to put off buying a laptop. With (say) 2GB flash when your RAM is (say) 1GB, the OS and your commonly used applications will live in flash memory and your hard disk will rarely power up. (Even if there are no dramatic speed improvements, not powering up the HD is a good thing.)
So my question is, will Centrino Pro laptops necessarily have flash cache? If so, will the flash memory be user-expandable? Is this known yet?
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
If I understand correctly, hybrid hard drives are not part of Centrino Pro...and neither is Vista. Rather, running Vista allows you to use hybrid hard drives (with or without Centrino Pro).
You're right, but both of those components will most likely been seen with Centrino Pro; Vista is a definite.
So my question is, will Centrino Pro laptops necessarily have flash cache? If so, will the flash memory be user-expandable? Is this known yet?
I believe the cache is integrated into the motherboard; it is not user expandable. However, you can expand Vista's flash memory with the use of memory sticks - basically you can plug in a 1GB (or whatever size) flash drive and Vista can use it. Pretty neat.
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
However, you can expand Vista's flash memory with the use of memory sticks - basically you can plug in a 1GB (or whatever size) flash drive and Vista can use it. Pretty neat.
Um, not really. Vista has ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive. The USB sticks do ReadyBoost, not ReadyDrive.
ReadyDrive is the drive cache (general-purpose and very useful), built into the drive or motherboard.
ReadyBoost is where they put the swap file, and only the swap file, onto a sufficiently fast USB stick (not all sticks work). This sort-of-expands RAM by reducing the need to dump contents of memory to HD. Great if you only bought 256M RAM: not so useful if you buy a new computer with 1G or more RAM. ReadyBoost does nothing for booting or for loading programs repeatedly; it is only useful after you have filled up your RAM by opening multiple programs.
The Intel cache (Robson) is supposed to do ReadyDrive, which eliminates the need for readyBoost since the swap file is treated the same way as any other disk access.
All very arcane, I know. The point is, ReadyBoost is a specialized product although the USB stick thing has gotten lots of good and bad publicity.
Answer:
Re: Centrino Pro?
the FSB will be variable, so that if its not all needed it can slow it down to save some battery life.