I have recently been told that the Centrino processor is
optimised for Windows XP, which I happen to hate hate
hate... Is this true, and if it is, what exactly is
optimised (and/or what features lost with nonXP).
If you hate hate hate XP, maybe you should post in a more
sympathetic newsgroup
Apart from that, there is nothing in Centrino that forces
you to use XP. It just happens that operating support for
the newer chipsets is more likely to appear first for the
newest OS's, like XP, next for Windows 2000, and if you
are very lucky, for Windows 98 or Me. Forget NT4.
It helps to understand that Centrino is Intel's marketing
term for:
- Pentium M processor, very fast, large cache, best power
management
- Intel 855 chipset family, which supports up to 2 GB
DDR333 memory, USB 2, and power management
- Intel Pro/Wireless 802.11b "Wi-Fi"
In my opinion, the first two are most significant.
Excellent wireless network adapters are available from
many vendors.
The reviewers seem to agree that if you want a portable
with low weight, long battery life and great performance,
the Pentium M and 855 are the best choice at the moment.
And chipset (driver) support is crucial to make things
work.
Of course, it would be very interesting if the latest Mac
OS would run on Pentium M and the 855 chipset, but I have
not heard any rumors that this is being planned. I have
not seen any indication that linux is currently supported
on the 855 chipset. After all, linux is more popular on
servers and perhaps desktops than on partables.
