Marketing challenge
Chip giant Intel sought to tackle the thorny marketing challenge of creating buzz around the incremental improvement of its workstation processors recently. But try as they, and we, tried to find an angle, it comes down to this: second generation vPro processors are an improvement on the previous generation, as you would expect.
The complete lack of Apple-style ‘this changes everything' hyperbole, doesn't mean this isn't a significant launch... if you're into that sort of thing. Intel calls its enterprise client processor platform vPro, and it features a number of unique pieces of hardware and software technologies designed to make life easier for IT managers.
Much of the big deal about this vPro launch had already been covered at the start of the year when Intel launched its second generation Core architecture family, codenamed Sandy Bridge. While the CPU architecture was the best yet, according to our review, arguably the most eye-catching feature was the integration of graphics into the chip. As you can see from the video clip below, Intel is keen to emphasise the benefits of Sandy Bridge to potential enterprise customers.
Other than that, many of the key features in this latest generation of vPro appear to be incremental improvements on what was already available. So we have:
- Turbo Boost technology 2.0
- Hyper-threading
- Quick Sync video
- Advanced Vector Extension
- Anti-theft technology 3.0
- Identity protection technology
- Host-based configuration
- Enhanced KVM remote control
- Firmware rollback
"Providing the right combination of technologies at the right time, the new Intel Core vPro processor family continues Intel‟s advancement in performance, security and management," said Rick Echevarria, VP and GM of Intel's business client platform division. "Possibly more critical, it readies businesses for major changes to come in such areas as desktop virtualization, cloud computing and the complementary relationship between PCs and the growing variety of other computing devices."
