Intel Experiencing Problems with the Forthcoming Centrino 2

The Intel Centrino 2 platform supposed to be launched in a near future is experiencing some delay due to unexpected problems. Among them, one can mention :
- Intel discovered a bug in the graphic core while the production was already launched. If the bug has been corrected, the first samples have been trashed. As a consequence, the G45 and G43 IGP chipset are expected to see shortages in Q3 2008. For improving production level, Intel has been slowing down manufacturing lines of other chipset, but it will take times and the new platform might not be as widely available as originally expected.
- Another problem is linked to a delay in the certification process of the new WiFi 802.11n module which will prevent the platform to be released to the market. Intel might decided to launch the Centrino 2 without this feature, while being ready to activate it later on when regulation authorities will have reviewed and certified it. This could easily be done by a small firmware update, as Apple did it in the past with the 802.11n enabler.
- According to some websites, Intel is also experiencing lower than expected production yields.
- The official launch date has now been moved to July 14th
As a reminder, the Centrino 2 platform will be using current Penryn processors currently powering the MacBook and MacBook Pro, as well as the iMac. It will nevertheless bring several new features as a faster FSB at 1066 MHz, support for DDR3 and better power management tools. It will also mark the launch of the new shared memory graphic chipset the GMA X4500.
If some of our readers were expecting a new notebook model based on the Centrino 2 platform, they might be slightly disappointed, even though one could imagine the announcement made at the WWDC with a true availability postponed till mid-July.