Intel takes off Centrino Introduces Core i3, i5, i7 brands

Intel has announced the brand name for its new core series of processors. In 2003, Intel had introduced the first x86 chip platform for PCs/laptops branded as Centrino. The term covered a package of CPU chip, chipset and wireless network module. Four years down the line, the world’s largest chip maker has decided to phase out the Centrino brand to simplify the branding of its PC chips. Intel would consolidate most of the desktop and laptop processors under the Core umbrella. Intel would be using three new names for different processor levels - entry-level (Intel Core i3), mid-level (Intel Core i5), and high-level (Intel Core i7).

The new nomenclatures are not brand names, but modifiers to Intel Core brand based on the features and benefits. The company has anointed the upcoming Core series of processors that includes the Clarksfield and Lynnfield chips. In the Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3, the first portion represents that highest performing chips whereas the second half reflects the lowest end of spectrum. Scheduled for a launch next year, Core i7 and Core i5 chips would incorporate Intel’s vPro security and management technology used for corporates.

However, the Celeron brand would continue for the chips targeted at the entry-level computers. The Pentium brand would continue for PCs that provide basic computing and Atom for processors targeted at miniature mobile devices ranging from netbooks to smartphones.

Reason for re-branding

Since its inception, the Centrino platform had achieved a runaway success and was almost the heart of most notebooks. The arch rival AMD were nowhere in the scene. But, things turned averse with Intel’s complaisance over Centrino and its attempt to do the same for other clusters of microprocessors and chipsets. For worse, Intel made the brand names even more complicated as it introduced the brands Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Solo upon an already confused consumer market.

The entry of new nomenclatures doesn’t mean a we can bid adieu to brands such as Centrino, that has been closely identified with Intel  notebook platform. Intel will hang on with the logo to define the wireless chips.

To phase out the dilemma Intel finally decided on an amalgamation of terms that would stick to Core and identify their power using the terms i3, i5, and i7.