Centrino Processors: Accelerating the Mobile Computer Revolution
Product: Centrino Processors – Mobile Technology for Laptop Computers Developers: Intel Haifa engineers Company: Intel Israel Start of Development: 1999
Prior to Intel’s development of the Centrino platform, almost the entire personal computer market was based on the desktop computer for the home and office. Centrino processors created the category of laptop computers, via connection to the wireless internet network while supplying optimal performance.
This technology, which was pioneering at the beginning of the 21st century, enabled the global computer market to “unwire” and make the transition to laptop computers with improved performance, that are connected to the internet.
The Centrino processors changed the manner in which people use computers and enabled them to work, communicate and enjoy entertainment anywhere anytime. This development was accompanied by a global campaign that earned the name “Unwire” and which equated wireless connectivity to the essence of freedom. Furthermore, the Centrino technology includes not only advanced wireless capability, but also a battery that operates consecutively for at least 5 hours.
Development of the Centrino processors began in Israel in 1999 and, under the leadership of the management and development engineers Dadi Perlmutter, Mooly Eden, Yoav Hochberg, Isic Silas, Ofri Wechsler, the first processor reached the market in 2003. Much time was needed for the Israeli development teams to convince Intel Corporation’s management of the necessity for this type of processor. In addition, following the product’s market launch, a worldwide effort was required to convince institutions, organizations and different locations such as airports, hotels, and restaurant chains to install a wireless internet hotspot open to the public. Today it may seem obvious, but in 2003 there were only 14,000 public Hotspots around the world. Only a year after marketing of the Centrino processors, this number exceeded 100,000. In light of this huge success, Intel’s Development Center in Haifa, which this year (2018) celebrates its 50th anniversary, became one of Intel’s most important centers.
