Intel confirms Dothan launch for May 10

Santa Clara (CA) - Intel will introduce its next-generation Pentium M processor, code-named Dothan, on May 10, the company announced Thursday.

According to a statement release by the company, Intel will unveil the new mobile processor for the Centrino platform at SBC Park in San Francisco. The company will use the stadium’s fancy Wi-Fi access capability to demonstrate notebooks and cool systems. Four "major US retailers" will talk about their strategy how they plan to convince consumers to buy Pentium M-based notebooks.

The new Pentium M will jump to 90 nanometer process technology and will carry 2 MByte L2 cache.

The processor is Intel’s first product which will reflect a new model numbering system. Instead of identifying processor by their clock frequency, the new Pentium M will carry a sequence number.

Intel will introduce ten different chips, ranging from the Pentium M 715, clocked at 1.5 GHz to the Pentium M 770, clocked at 2.13 GHz. The model line will includes the model numbers 715, 725, 730, 735, 740, 745, 750, 755, 760, and 770. A greater number initially will indicate higher performance, either in frequency and/or FSB clock. Over time, Intel will also change the sequence number based on features, according to an Intel spokesperson.

Later this year, Intel is expected to introduce the Alviso, which according to industry sources, will consume less power than the current version. Also expected is the next-generation Centrino platform, code-named Sonoma, which will include dual-band Wi-Fi.