Giz Explains: Intel's Centrino 2

Intel's Centrino 2 notebook platform officially launched yesterday, and brought an armada of new laptops with it. Centrino (2) is actually just a brand name for a mobile platform, which is really a fancy way saying a combination of Intel parts: a processor, chipset and wireless module. The latest and greatest is Montevina, which is not only energy efficient, but more powerful than the previous set, Santa Rosa. It also makes wireless N standard, puts WiMax in its future, and has graphics that can switch between integrated and discrete for battery/performance needs. In short, this year's crop of notebooks will blow last year's away. More »

Hands On Lenovo X200: Tiny, Cheap, Means Business (But Forgot the Trackpad)

Lenovo officially announced its Centrino 2-based X200 ultraportable notebook today, confirming what we have known for a while now. Namely, that it's the smallest member of the X-family (12.1-inch screen, 0.8-inches thin) and very powerful. Powered by the new Centrino 2 platform, it's got a full arsenal of wireless communication interfaces (including WiMax, WWAN with GPS and Ultra-Wide Band for peripherals), yet it's a slight 2.9 pounds, a hair less than its older brother or perceived competitor. (No optical drive helps there.) And it starts at a much more affordable $1199. But where the hell is the trackpad?! More »

Hands On Sony Vaio Z-Series: World's Smallest, Lightest Blu-ray Laptops

You'll notice Sony's heavy use of qualifiers in their small and light claims—it's because the new 13.1-inch Z-series powered by Centrino 2 is no Keira Knightley (or MacBook Air or X300). Blu-ray is actually optional. But the screen is where this thing shines: Its XBRITE-DuraView LCD is scratch-resistant with 100 percent color saturation, and you can get a crazy-high 1600x900 widescreen resolution. More »

Giz Explains: Under the Hood of the Newest Laptops and Mobile Gear

If your head's spinning from the buckets of chip splooge that's shot out over the past couple days, we don't blame you. There's been a new mobile chip launched or announced by every major player in the biz (Intel, AMD, Nvidia and Via), so no wonder it's all sticky and running together. Don't worry, here's a quick guide to what matters, who makes it, and what kind of stuff you'll see it in. More »