Centrino is simply a combination of a Pentium-M with an Intel wireless network adapter.

Links below are not the most up-to date, but should get you started for the
market you are looking in.

Here's how the Pentium M Dothan chip roadmaps look like until Q1 of next year

copy from above link:

"...Intel has changed sensible MHz and GHz figures not only on its desktop products
but on the Pentium M products too...

A 770 is a 90 nano 2.13GHz chip at 533, a 760 a 2GHz chip at 533, a 755 a 2GHz Pentium M at 400,
a 750 a 1.86GHz Dothan at 533, a 745 a 1.80GHz with 400MHz bus, a 740 a 1.73GHz with 533 bus, ....

There's also Celeron M chips and they've all got numbers too. The Dothan versions of these ..."


Intel® Pentium® M Processor

copy from above link:

"...Centrino is not a processor, though it includes one.
Centrino is the name of Intel's proprietary three-part, wireless computing solution for notebooks.
Only systems with all three parts can be branded Centrino.

The first part is the heart of the solution: The Intel Pentium M is a brand-new processor
that Intel built from the ground up specifically for notebooks.
The goal of the Pentium M is to maximize mobility and capitalize on wireless connectivity. ...

The second part of the Centrino platform is the chipset.

The third part is Intel's 802.11b wireless solution

Intel Centrino mobile technology benefits from a unique micro-architecture,
optimized for the mobile segment, to deliver breakthrough mobile performance with low power characteristics
through efficient execution and advanced power-saving techniques. ..."


Important to consider when comparing Pentium M with Pentium 4 is that from a performance standpoint
a 2GHz Pentium M would be comparable in performance with a 3.6GHz Pentium 4 with a several magnitude
Reduction in heat and battery power consumption.

"Refurbished" from the Dell Outlet should be considered "New" for all practical purposes.
Could be something returned within the 21 day window and completely 'gone through'
or even more likely, from a large corporation's excess from a huge order, but never shipped.

Major advantage, of course, is Price along with Dell Warranty and Support,
downside is non-customizable ordering and reduced 'return window' (14 days ???).

Message Edited by Art on 11-26-2005 03:40 PM

Thank you for the info and links.  I forgot all about Celeron chips.  So Pentium/Celeron + M + 802.11b wireless solution = Centrino?  Either way, "M" sounds like the way to go.

Is a notebook with Pentium/Celeron M Centrino completely ready for a wireless network or does the notebook require something more to be ready?

You may not need to install anything. While a Centrino notebook is wireless-ready, Pentium-M notebooks without the Centrino sticker may be as well - for instance, a vendor may combine a 3Com, Linksys, Broadcom, etc. network adapter with its system - completely wireless ready, but no Centrino label because the wireless adapter is non-Intel.

Thanks.  Gottcha:  a notebook can be wireless ready and not be Centrino.  If a Latitude notebook falls in my lap which in not wireless ready,  could it be upgraded to wireless ready?  Would it be a major task and expense to upgrade?  Is it possible for me to do it myself or must I have an expert do it?  I am capable of installing a drive or card into my big 'ol Dimension, but a notebook looks like such a small place to be poking around:smileysurprised:

It depends on the model. If you're worried about going inside the notebook, you can use a PCMCIA or USB network adapter - they're both easy to install and use.

Thanks.