What exactly is Centrino and why all the nut-busting?

[MDesigner]

In a recent amazing Dell deal ($750 off $1500), probably hundreds of thousands of people bought laptops (myself included). On the fatwallet forum, people were saying how if you wanted to resell your laptop, get the Intel 802.11b/g built-in because you'll get the Centrino sticker and it will sell for more.

First off... I thought Centrino was part of the Pentium M processor? What exactly is Centrino? I checked the Intel web site, and it seems to be rather vague/abstract. Better mobile performance, wireless, better battery life... sure..but what the heck IS it?? Do I have it in my Inspiron 8600 Pentium M 715?

And secondly, why do people care so much about Centrino? Even at Fry's today, I saw some people deciding to buy a laptop, and I couldn't understand what they were saying (speaking some European language), but the guy was pointing to the Centrino sticker. What's with these people? I get the feeling that either this is some big stupid marketing scheme, or I'm missing something big here.

Clues can be tossed in my direction. Thanks.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

"Centrino" is the tag applied to laptops that have all of the following:

+ Pentium M
+ i855 chipset
+ Intel Pro wireless card

And nothing more. It's not any specific part of the laptop - rather it's the whole trio-package.

- M4H

 

[MDesigner]

Bah! I went with the Dell 1350 wireless instead of the Intel. More than one person swore that the Dell 1350 has better reception.

So basically, Centrino is just another bit of marketing jargon. Figures..

 

[dc5]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
Bah! I went with the Dell 1350 wireless instead of the Intel. More than one person swore that the Dell 1350 has better reception.

So basically, Centrino is just another bit of marketing jargon. Figures..

yes, kinda like hyperthreading

 

[LtPage1]

=hypertransport.

 

[Mermaidman]

It may just be marketing, but it does translate to better resale value and/or easier to resell.