Intel launches Centrino Pro and Duo (Santa Rosa) chipsets

Intel launches its new mobile chipsets today, the Centrino Pro and Centrino Duo, both based on the "Santa Rosa" platform. As was previously discussed, the latest Centrino chipsets bring Core 2 Duo processing, 802.11n WiFi support, Intel vPro technology (for remote management/software updates), Intel Turbo Memory (a SSD alternative), longer battery life and improved graphics to the table. The downside? While improved, the 965 chipset still sports integrated, rather than discrete, graphics processing. However, this won't be an issue when it comes to the business needs of pretty much everyone aside from creative professionals. "If you're displaying static text every hour of the day, integrated graphics has it covered," said Dean McCarron, an analyst with Mercury Research. "As a gaming platform, it's awful."

Pretty much all of the major PC manufacturers have announced new laptops sporting the Santa Rosa chipset including perennial business faves like Dell, Lenovo, HP and Samsung. Apple generally waits a few months before integrating the latest and greatest from Intel into its products but rumors abound that we could see new MacBooks as early as next week.

For more on Centrino Pro:
- see this CNET article

For more on the MacBook rumor:
- see this Gizmodo post