whats the difference between Centrino and Core Duo?

[crew14]

In regards to pc computers, what is the difference between a Centrino Duo Processor and a Core Duo?

Anybody know?

[hociman]

Centrino is not a CPU. It is Intel's name for its wireless software/hardware. It is their equivalent of Apple's AirPort software/card combination. I have found that unless a laptop has Centrino, it is not easy, if at all, to connect to a secure (password protected) wireless access point. This is shocking to me, considering that you would think Microsoft would want to improve the security of Windows XP.

[tuRnitUpsuM]

Hi crew14


i'm guessing the difference is .... the centrino is a mobile technology... slower bus speed and alil more energy efficient... the core duo ... isn't for the most part (macbook the exception) ... used to be the centrino had Intel chipsets all around... but i'm thinking the core duo would as well ??? .... dont quote me on that though...


just tryin ta help alil...

Cheers

[theblue1]

Actually, Centrino is Intel's branding for a combination of a Pentium M family processor (like the Core Duo) and their WiFi technology. So, you could have a Pentium 4 laptop with Intel WiFI but it would not be a Centrino.

The Centrino nameplate goes back about 4 years or so. Centrinos are generally known for long battery life and efficient processing. (Centrino should NOT be confused with Celeron, the lower-performing "budget" chip from Intel. Interestingly, the Pentium M family actually marks a retrenchment of sorts. Much of the design of the chip fundamentals goes back to Pentium 3 architecture and abandons some of the Pentium 4 "advances" in favor of more efficient operation, which often translates to more processing power per heat generation/battery charge consumption.)

The Apple Core Duo is, of course, the same Yonah chip as other manufacturers use. It appears they use Intel mobos, so it's pretty certain they also use Intel WiFi technology, too. Apple was stung by in-house design issues that resulted in most G5s having hard disk, FW, and USB controller bottlenecks. (The only G5 that could outperform a lowly G4 eMac on basic hard disk benches was the Dual Raid setup.) So it's likely that they're farming out as much hardware design as possible.)