LAS VEGAS--Intel's much-delayed Sonoma mobile platform was put on display for two hours today in branded notebooks from several prominent manufacturers. The second-generation of Centrino technology incorporates a number of new features, but, as in the first generation, there are still three principal components: the Pentium M processor, an optimized chipset, and a wireless networking controller.

　　Most notable is Sonoma's chipset element, referred to as Alviso. According to Ketan Bhat, a technical marketing manager with Intel's mobile group, PCI Express tops the chipset's specification sheet, enabling discrete graphics, high-performance Gigabit Ethernet networking, and a derivative of PCMCIA, which is used for adding peripherals, called ExpressCard.

　　The chipset also features an Intel GMA 900 integrated graphics controller with hardware support for DirectX 9.0 titles. Side-by-side comparisons to the previous generation Centrino platform showed Intel's GMA 900 solution roughly two times faster in Need for Speed: Underground. Another sample machine, armed with ATI's first PCI Express mobile GPU, demonstrated the platform's gaming potential much more vividly.

　　Additionally, there are a number of chipset features notebook manufacturers may or may not implement that still qualify for Centrino branding. Support for Serial ATA hard drives is one feature, while high-definition 7.1 channel audio is another. Surprisingly, ExpressCard connectivity is optional as well, according to Intel, though most manufacturers have already expressed their interests in the interface, which supports both PCI Express and USB 2.0 add-in cards.

　　Intel plans to use its existing Pentium M processor architecture with the Sonoma platform. Minor modifications, including a faster 533MHz front-side bus and the execute-disable virus protection bit, will complement the 90nm design that draws strength from a highly efficient design and a 2MB on-die L2 cache. Intel wasn't ready to disclose pricing details or information on expected frequencies, but the upcoming models are expected to run just as cool as existing Pentium M chips.

　　Intel representatives also demonstrated two next-generation wireless networking adapters that will complement Sonoma. One incorporates 802.11b at 11mbps and 802.11g at 54mbps, while the other adds 802.11a at 54mbps. The Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG adapter is currently available with existing Centrino notebooks.

　　In a separate display, the Smithfield dual-core desktop architecture powered PVR software on a media center PC. Intel's Dan Snyder revealed that the sample was running at 3GHz, and each core employed 1MB of L2 cache. And while the processor uses a LGA775 socket interface, new motherboards will likely be required to properly support dual-core operation. Dual-core desktop chips are expected to ship late this year.

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