Intel may launch Merom alongside Conroe
Intel Corp. may launch its Core 2 Duo notebook chips as early as next week, a recent company roadmap has revealed.
According to a set of presentation slides obtained by the Chinese-language publication HKEPC, the world's largest chip maker may simplify its Core 2 Duo processor launch by introducing both Conroe (desktop) and Merom (notebook) variants on July 23rd.
The company's original plans called for Conroe to debut in July and Merom in August. Although Intel may now launch both chips simultaneously, Merom availability will remain targeted for August, the report states.
Based on the slides, Intel will make Merom available in five different clock speeds, each running on a 667MHz front-side bus. 2.0GHz, 2.16GHz, and 2.33GHz models will pack a 4MB Level 2 cache and retail in lots of 1000 for $294, $423 and $637 a piece, respectively.
The chips, which will succeed Intel's "Yonah" line of Core Duo processors, are expected to find their way into Apple's MacBook Pro product line before the end of the year.
Intel also plans 1.66GHz ($209) and 1.8GHz ($241) variants of Merom with 2MB of Level 2 cache, though Apple is likely to forgo the use of these chips, at least in the MacBook Pro product line.
Since Merom appears to be arriving at relatively the same price points as Yonah, its expected that Intel in September will slash the price of its Yonah processor lineup.
Apple currently employs Yonah processors in the iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
According to a set of presentation slides obtained by the Chinese-language publication HKEPC, the world's largest chip maker may simplify its Core 2 Duo processor launch by introducing both Conroe (desktop) and Merom (notebook) variants on July 23rd.
The company's original plans called for Conroe to debut in July and Merom in August. Although Intel may now launch both chips simultaneously, Merom availability will remain targeted for August, the report states.
Based on the slides, Intel will make Merom available in five different clock speeds, each running on a 667MHz front-side bus. 2.0GHz, 2.16GHz, and 2.33GHz models will pack a 4MB Level 2 cache and retail in lots of 1000 for $294, $423 and $637 a piece, respectively.
The chips, which will succeed Intel's "Yonah" line of Core Duo processors, are expected to find their way into Apple's MacBook Pro product line before the end of the year.
Intel also plans 1.66GHz ($209) and 1.8GHz ($241) variants of Merom with 2MB of Level 2 cache, though Apple is likely to forgo the use of these chips, at least in the MacBook Pro product line.
Since Merom appears to be arriving at relatively the same price points as Yonah, its expected that Intel in September will slash the price of its Yonah processor lineup.
Apple currently employs Yonah processors in the iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
Comments
Originally posted by marzetta7
It will be an interesting August indeed!
I am getting more and more excited! I sure am glad that I have held off on ordering my MBP. I really hope they release a new revision of the MBP at the WWDC because I *really* do not want to wait until late fall. My iBook G3 is on its third logic board already... It might not even last that long.
-Kerrum
unlikely, but interesting
Originally posted by Trendannoyer
interesting if the imac etc. prices got slashed but NOT updated till next Jan.
unlikely, but interesting
That, my friend, would anger me greatly... Here's to hoping they just put the new chips in just in time for the back to school buying season.
Originally posted by Kerrum
I am getting more and more excited! I sure am glad that I have held off on ordering my MBP. I really hope they release a new revision of the MBP at the WWDC because I *really* do not want to wait until late fall. My iBook G3 is on its third logic board already... It might not even last that long.
That makes two of us... my old PB is on its last legs, and I've been forcing it to limp along until Merom is released. With this news I definitely think we'll see new MBPs sometime in August, if not unveiled at WWDC for pre-order.
Also, when do you guys think the newer macbook pro's will be launched? Of course, no-one will actually know till the last minute when Apple announces but since I have been waiting for so long, it definitely keeps me thinking..
"
Also, I am a little confused with this article; what do they mean with "the chips which will succeed Intel's Yonah line of Core Duo processors"? I am assuming they mean "Merom" chips, correct?
Unless, that is, if it's a paper launch.
another 22 days to go!
Here Sony selling its Vaio rock bottom prices, indeed Merom coming early ...
Originally posted by shanmugam
first generation of True mobile CPUs are on the way, hope they do not suck battery ...
What's more mobile about these compared to Yonahs? Even the TDP is three watts higher.
Don't wait for Meroms...wait for Lebanon-Killer...it's sure to be a real blast.
Originally posted by Zandros
What's more mobile about these compared to Yonahs? Even the TDP is three watts higher.
Performance???
Speaking of Yonah and Merom, one might give a thought to Intel Israel. Haifa has been pounded by rockets fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon. They mentioned on the news that Haifa is the Silicon Valley of Israel and Intel has a facility there. You can read about it here: Intel Israel Fab Tour
So, with these rocket attacks coming from the terrorist guerillas in Lebanon, how are those wonderful Intel people doing in Haifa? Intel Under Fire?Literally
Hope we all know the benefits of the Core 2 Duo series. If you don't, it's easy to find out. One of the things discussed in recent months was Intel's Robson flash cache technology which is supposed to be introduced with the Conroe and Merom systems. The idea is that a bit of flash memory on the logic board or in a hybrid flash/HD can boost startup times and a whole lot more. This is interesting: Robson
AppleInsider posted an article about this back on Jan. 5, saying Apple would be using Robson by the following week, according to a DigiTimes article. Oops.
Originally posted by Rolo
One of the things discussed in recent months was Intel's Robson flash cache technology which is supposed to be introduced with the Conroe and Merom systems. The idea is that a bit of flash memory on the logic board or in a hybrid flash/HD can boost startup times and a whole lot more.
Robson is announced to be arriving with the Santa Rosa chipset, which is arriving in March 2007. Meroms this year will be using the same chipsets that Apple is using today ('napa' 945 series) which doesn't include Robson. Merom is a drop in replacement for laptops that already use yonah, no redesigning necessary.
Isn't it great to have these schedules so open!
But that aside, why not buy a macbook now, and sell it on ebay when the new ones come out? I always do this, or just keep both.
That way I always have the most up to date computer :-)
Originally posted by Kerrum
I am getting more and more excited! I sure am glad that I have held off on ordering my MBP. I really hope they release a new revision of the MBP at the WWDC because I *really* do not want to wait until late fall. My iBook G3 is on its third logic board already... It might not even last that long.
-Kerrum
Originally posted by retroneo
Robson is announced to be arriving with the Santa Rosa chipset, which is arriving in March 2007. Meroms this year will be using the same chipsets that Apple is using today ('napa' 945 series) which doesn't include Robson. Merom is a drop in replacement for laptops that already use yonah, no redesigning necessary.
Isn't it great to have these schedules so open!
Hmm, same Merom processor but different chipset. Santa Rosa sounds really interesting and it might be out in March. Santa Rosa
Curiously, the Robson article I posted came out 3 days after the Intel press release.
More, here, with photos: Mobility, Merom & Santa Rosa