Centrino Carmel Platform

Carmel was the code name for the first generation Centrino platform launched in March 2003. Carmel consisted of a Pentium M processor, an Intel 855 series chipset, and an Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 (IEEE 802.11b) or PRO/Wireless 2100AB (IEEE 802.11ab) WiFi adapter.

Industry watchers initially criticized the Carmel platform for its lack of an (IEEE 802.11g) solution because many independent WiFi chip makers like Broadcom and Atheros were already shipping 802.11g products. Intel responded that the IEEE had not finalized the 802.11g standard at the time of Carmel's launch, and that it did not want to launch products not based on a finalized standard.

Despite criticisms, the Carmel platform won quick acceptance among OEMs and consumers. Carmel was able to attain or exceed the performance of older Pentium 4-M platforms, while allowing for notebooks to operate 4-5 hours on a 48 Wh battery. Carmel also allowed notebook manufacturers to create thinner and lighter notebooks because its components did not dissipate much heat, and thus did not require large cooling systems.

In early 2004, after the finalization of the 802.11g standard, Intel added the option of a PRO/Wireless 2200BG (IEEE 802.11bg) to the Centrino lineup.