Intel does quite a smart thing by advertising its Centrino platform, but not just its Pentium M processor or supporting chipsets. On the one hand, users, who buy Centrino-based notebooks are sure that they do have wireless capabilities and a rather fast CPU, on the other hand, Intel throws its rivals out of the battle, as they have no rights to use Centrino brand-name. Obviously, the rivals, namely AMD and VIA, are not happy with this fact and plan to offer an alternative for Intel Centrino platform, as The Inquirer reported.

AMD and VIA have their own processors, chipsets and WLAN solutions, so, it would be reasonable for them to combine their efforts and bring a substitute for Centrino platform into the market. Reportedly, Quanta and Compal will soon start to make notebooks based on an Athlon XP-M microprocessor, VIA KN400 chipset and AMD’s Alchemy Am1772 WLAN adapter. The actual products will appear on the market in the second half of the year, in three months time, I believe. The indisputably good thing about the newcomers will be rather low price.

I wonder if AMD and VIA will also invent a new brand-name for their platform and advertise it. In fact, quite a huge number of companies would be interested in a new brand-name for notebooks with wireless capabilities, since one simple name can boost their sales much. Will they industry be able to offer an alternative to Intel?