Intel has released an updated laptop platform featuring the first 45nm processors for mobile systems and the latest version of its Active Management Technology (AMT). These will deliver laptops with longer battery life that are also easier for organisations to manage remotely, according to Intel. It also demonstrated a coming platform for ultra-mobile devices.

Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the refresh updates last year's Santa Rosa platform with new 45nm Core 2 Duo processors and will be known officially as Intel Centrino with vPro technology, to emphasise the inclusion of capabilities akin to those in Intel's vPro brand for business desktops.

"45nm takes us to the point where you get increased performance and lower power consumption, but it also reduces the overall size of the chip itself, which enables laptop makers to build smaller form factors," said Graham Palmer, Intel's UK and Ireland Managing Director for sales and marketing.

The new chips are available immediately in clock speeds from 2.6GHz to 2.1GHz, plus a 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme version. The latter chip is aimed at gamers, but might also find its way into mobile workstation systems. Laptops based on the new platform are expected later this quarter, and rumours suggest that Apple may announce new Macbook portables based on it during its Macworld conference.

While the major update to the platform is the processor, the 965 motherboard chipset has been enhanced with new drivers to update its built-in graphics functions to support HD-DVD and Blu-Ray video playback, plus an update to the capabilities of AMT.

Key additions for IT departments are that AMT 2.6 now allows for laptops to boot using PXE over a wireless connection, and that AMT itself can now be provisioned remotely using a secure mechanism.

"You don't have to go for a desk-side visit to have an IT guy turn on AMT any more. Now you can turn it on and manage it remotely," said Palmer. Other additions include better support for Cisco's NAC Embedded Trust Agent.

Also at CES, Intel demonstrated devices based on its Menlow platform for ultra-mobile PCs. Due in Q2 of 2008, this runs a new mobile processor called Silverthorne and has power consumption just one tenth of the first UMPC designs, according to Intel.

Later in 2008, Intel is set to completely overhaul its laptop platform with Montevina, which will also run 45nm processors but integrate WiMax wide-area networking as well as Wi-Fi support. However, the company declined to give any further details on the platform at this stage.