As we enter the ninth year of publication of the Intel Technology Journal, we bring to our readers an updated web layout and easier navigation for a better reader experience. We continue to provide pdf files for each paper and a combined pdf for the entire issue. For the first time, we are using Digital Object identifiers (DOIs), content identifiers, for web documents similar to ISSN numbers for serial print publications. DOIs provide persistent tagging of online content, addressing actual content rather than location.

This issue of Intel Technology Journal (Volume 9, Issue 1) focuses on the second-generation platform built on Intel^® Centrino™ mobile technology. For many users, a laptop is their primary computer and a large part of their daily experience. This includes mobility usage models that fall into three main categories as defined by Intel: Mobile Digital Office, Mobile On-the-Go, and mobile entertainment.

Mobile Digital Office connects the IT enterprise to a wirelessly connected mobile notebook, an always-available virtual office with a primary focus of manageability and security. For example, malicious buffer-overflow attacks pose a significant security threat; the Pentium M processor supports the XD (execute disable) bit that prevents buffer-overflow virus attacks. Another aspect of digital office is being able to connect wirelessly as easily as with a cell phone.

Mobile On-the-Go is mobility in or out of the office or home with emphasis on productivity, entertainment, and communication. Highly mobile users prefer flexible thin and light mobile systems with optimized battery life. Extended Mobile Access (EMA) technology offers a better thin and light experience with a small screen in the lid of the notebook similar to some cellular telephone models. Even with the notebook lid closed, the EMA display will show new e-mail messages, up-to-date calendars, or daily task lists. EMA technology reduces notebook power and consumption and saves battery life by turning off the main LCD.

Mobile Entertainment is optimized for entertainment-viewing movies, watching TV, sharing and editing photos, and playing games anywhere in the home. The Intel^® 915 Express Chipset has a TV output feature, which is important for merging the personal computer and the television into a single platform.

The eight papers in this issue of Intel Technology Journal (Volume 9, Issue 1) examine the newest technologies for second-generation platforms built on Intel^® Centrino™ mobile technology. The introductory paper provides an overview of the platform including the new Intel^® Pentium^® M processors, the Mobile Intel^® 915 Express Chipset family (formerly codenamed Alviso), and Intel^® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG or 2200BG wireless LAN components.

The next four papers in this Journal look at the new features and capabilities in the platform system. The second explores the electrical packaging, manufacturing, and motherboard routing issues associated with enabling thinner, lighter laptop designs. The third looks at PCI Express* , a high-speed bit serial bus for I/O, graphics, and networking interconnections. The paper focuses on PCI Express architecture, power management, and mobile applications such as graphics, networking, and form factors including the ExpressCard* module and future form factors such as the PCI Express Wireless Card and the PCI Express Mini Card. The fourth paper considers two major enhancements to Intel's graphics memory controller hubs in the Intel^® 915 Express Chipset family. First, it discusses the microarchitecture of the 3D pipeline and the steps taken to optimize it for peak performance. Secondly, the TV output feature-which is important for merging PCs and TVs into a single platform-is described. The fifth paper focuses on two key Input/Output (I/O) technologies provided by the chipset: integrated audio and the interface to the storage device (hard drive). First it examines the architectural features of Intel^® High Definition (HD) Audio. Next it discusses the architectural benefits of Serial AT Attachment (SATA) which will replace Parallel AT Attachment as the interface for hard drives.

The next section is on power and thermal management. The sixth paper takes a look at performance and power consumption under common use models. In this paper we discuss some of these new features and the impact they have on platform performance and power as observed while executing industry benchmarks. The seventh examines thermal interface material (TIM) selection and improving the platform component performance/power efficiency and platform cooling capability when given finite heat budgets. By using better material for component packages, component cooling is improved.

The last paper focuses on future and current new usages for laptops. Here we explore new capabilities of the platform, and the interfaces and the wireless ecosystem used to enable new usage models: Extended Mobile Access (EMA), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Simplified Network Selection (SNS), and One Bill Roaming (OBR).

These papers reveal the exciting new mobile technologies and supporting standards already here or coming soon to our next laptop-technologies and standards that complement our multi-tasking, on-the-go computing lifestyle.