Intel launches new Pentiums

Intel is polishing up its array of Centrino chips for notebooks.

As expected, the chipmaker on Monday launched three new Pentium M processors running at higher clock speeds and cut prices on existing versions of the chip.

The company is working to build momentum for the relatively new Centrino chips by launching faster Pentium Ms and by adding new software as well, during what will prove to be a busy month for the chipmaker's notebook product line.

The higher clock speeds include a new 1.7GHz Pentium M. The chipmaker had been selling Pentium M chips at speeds of up to 1.6GHz. Intel also launched new low-voltage and ultra-low-voltage Pentium M chips that run at 1.2GHz and 1GHz, respectively. Those two versions of the chip, which consume less power than a standard Pentium M for use in smaller notebooks, has been available at 1GHz and 900MHz.

The Centrino family also ships with a bundle of software that includes applications designed to assist in locating and connecting to wireless networks. Intel promised on Monday to issue an upgrade to one element of that software, its Intel Pro Network Connection application, later this month. The new version of the application will support Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which provides security for data sent via wireless networks.

While the Pentium M and the Centrino chip family are still very new, a number of PC makers have adopted them so far, producing a variety of notebooks. By Intel's count, 58 notebooks that use some combination of the chips are available now. The total should increase to 125 by the end of the year, the company said.

But despite early successes, the Centrino family has hit at least one snag. Last week, Intel acknowledged a software conflict that causes problems with some Centrino notebooks when attempting to activate VPN (virtual private network) software to establish a secure network connection. The chipmaker has issued a set of recommendations to manufacturers to avoid problems by removing or disabling the problem-causing feature. But it has not said whether it plans a software update that will eliminate the problem.

John G. Spooner writes for CNET News.com