Intel Mobile Concept PCs Provide Vision Of Tomorrow's Digital Lifestyle

March 2, 2005

Intel Corporation today unveiled its latest concept mobile PCs, which advance Intel's vision of anytime, anywhere computing. The new designs demonstrate how future Intel Centrino mobile technology platforms could be used to provide "on-the-go" entertainment for consumers and enhanced innovation for "digital office" users.

"The new concept mobile PC designs feature system-level innovation that builds on Intel's silicon leadership and helps to catalyze the notebook computer industry to create compelling new solutions that deliver a range of form factors, capabilities and end-user benefits," said Mike Trainor, Intel's chief mobile technology evangelist. "Intel innovation is enabling the industry to transform the mobile PC into the essential digital lifestyle accessory."

In its third generation, the mobile concept PC program has been delivering tangible examples of Intel's vision for how notebook computers might evolve within the next two to three years and opportunities for growth in the PC industry. Today, Intel is introducing two notebooks and one desktop PC design that build upon capabilities introduced last year with Intel's "Florence" concept systems.

Entertainment Wherever You Go

The on-the-go concept mobile PC is a new, ultra-mobile notebook PC that would allow consumers in the future to enjoy digital entertainment away from, in and around the home. Intel envisions that software would allow consumers to access ("outside-in") and/or synchronize ("sync-n-go") content from a digital home PC or network to use with the concept mobile PC.

Small enough to fit in the user's hands, its touch screen doubles as a flat surface speaker, eliminating the need for a keyboard. The unit is designed to aid easy communications for on-the-go consumers. It comes equipped with a wired or wireless keyboard, detachable DVD player, GPS navigation system, a built-in camera and array microphones. It also offers a sneak peek at future computing and communication capabilities, including WLAN connectivity, advanced PC system features and performance benefits.

Enabling Real-Time Business

Business users are increasingly working in and out of the office and interacting with colleagues and partners around the world. They require easy and safe collaboration from any location. To address these needs, the digital office concept mobile PC platform features advanced security and manageability capabilities that would protect against the increase in malicious software attacks and help combat the rising costs of global network system management.

The digital office concept laptop is designed to support Intel Virtualization Technology (previously codenamed Vanderpool), which enables a system to seamlessly and securely run different programs or operating systems on the same machine at the same time. This allows one PC to function as multiple "virtual" platforms. When combined with the right software it can provide a foundation for highly available and more secure client virtualization partitions.

The system also includes out-of-band manageability, visual indicators of activity and a fingerprint reader, as well as an array microphone, an integrated camera, seamless cell phone and integrated 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth wireless technology.

Intel Mobile Technology Enhances Corporate Desktops

Intel is also introducing a digital office concept desktop system based on Intel mobile technology. The concept is designed as an ultra-slim and quiet office desktop that combines the thin-and-light form factor of a notebook with the power and performance of a traditional desktop PC. These PCs would enable some corporations in the future that deploy mostly mobile computers to have desktop computers that could run on the same corporate software load, helping to reduce cost and improve organizational efficiencies.

Road Warriors Update Their Ride

In his keynote today, Sean Maloney, Intel executive vice president and general manager, Mobility Group, showed the first demonstration of a method for integrating the on-the-go concept mobile PC into a Land Rover. It exemplifies how innovative integration designs could enhance the in-car entertainment, communications and computing experience.

In this special collaboration, the demonstration showed how the PC is integrated into a Land Rover via a docking station so the PC can be easily taken in and out of the car. This allows users to easily enjoy their personal media - such as music and movies - while on the road. The concept mobile PC interfaces wirelessly to the car speakers via a Bluetooth audio adapter and allows the PC's GPS functions to be used for car navigation.