Intel Centrino Duo vs. Pro

Trying to choose a laptop can be overwhelming at times. There's so much information available that it's hard to find a starting place. Luckily, the decision between the Centrino Du and Pro is easy once you know what you need.

Types

• The Centrino Pro and Duo are Intel's brand names for different hardware configurations. Both are based on the same processors and utilize the same chipset. They have equivalent Wi-Fi and network compatibility as well. The only functional difference is the inclusion of Intel Active Management Technology in the Centrino Pro.

Performance

• The new platforms take advantage of the Mobile Intel 985 Express Chipset. They actively manage power consumption to save battery life and run cooler than older technology. The graphics processor allows Direct X 10 compatibility and more video memory. Performance increases are less impressive: tests show an improvement of only three to 10 percent in image editing on base models and is inferior to a separate video card.

Features

• The main difference between the two platforms is the inclusion of the Intel Active Management chip in the Centrino Pro configuration. This is useful for business users who need extra features such as remote management, better security and options that help achieve productivity increases. Big firms looking for tighter control on their information technology department and stronger data protection would benefit most from the Pro.