Core 2 Duo MacBook and MacBook Pro due this November?

Good news for all of you's eyeing those jazzy laptop numbers of Apple's, but still waiting for them to get out of the cro-mag era and entertain some Core 2 Duo processors. We just got word from an IT guy at a Swiss university who claims to have the gotten the scoop on upcoming MacBooks from some sales reps. Apparently they've confirmed Core 2 Duo processors will be making their way into upcoming MB and MBPs this November, and were even kind enough to let our tipster "pre-order" a C2D MacBook. Sure, it's all hearsay, and we knew this was happening sooner or later, but it's nice to get at least an inkling of when these long-overdue laptops are going to make into onto our laps lap's thermal protection.

[yo @ Oct 17th 2006 5:38PM]

A swiss university student and some sales reps? Puh-leeaze. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. If we keep saying that mb's and mbp's are getting c2d's we'll all be right sooner or later.

Oh - did I tell you? Steve Jobs called and told me that they were updating the entire laptop line to c2d chips.

-yo

[Nigel Behrens @ Oct 17th 2006 5:45PM]

Finally, I really hope I get Macbook for Christmas. I was hoping they'd get around to this SOONER or later.

[Homan @ Oct 17th 2006 5:45PM]

The sad thing is that Quad Cores are coming out VERY SOON...

[homan2 @ Oct 18th 2006 8:44AM]

/threadhijack on

OMG We have the same last name!

/threadhijack off

Good idea leaking through Switzerland, I don't think Apple's NDA gestapo has claws in a neutral country. Then again, salesmen will promise anything :P

[rogersmj @ Oct 18th 2006 12:27PM]

Quad core? Um, Get with the program -- we're talking about laptops her. There's no quad-core mobile chips on Intel's roadmap right now at all.

[Mike Uram @ Oct 17th 2006 6:05PM]

I'll buy a Macbook as soon as there is a copy of Leopard on it, a Core 2 Duo, and a deal where I can get an iPhone combo discount. I am not going to buy a Macbook until we see what happens at Macworld '07.

[Emo @ Oct 17th 2006 7:23PM]

Seconded. My plan exactly.

[Bhagiratha @ Oct 17th 2006 7:38PM]

Mike is right. I myself will wait until next year. for once I will prevent myself from making any hasty decisions.

[andy @ Oct 17th 2006 6:10PM]

Either way apple needs to get these laptops out soon, a lot of potential switchers are going to other companies because they can�t even get updated technology in their laptop line

[page @ Oct 17th 2006 6:16PM]

I wonder when a full size keyboard will be used. I hate all that wasted space such as shown in that image.

[Zadillo @ Oct 17th 2006 7:34PM]

That image looks to be the 17" MBP...... there really isn't "wasted space" there, and the keyboard is pretty much full-size. It isn't wasted space any more than the Dell E1705 has wasted space.

[timmillwood @ Oct 17th 2006 6:18PM]

I am waiting.... i can't wait much longer...

I doubt this is true, because i was talking to the boss at the Apple Store London and he said they will be out on 24th, he is gonna give me a ring once they come in, i thinks friday is when he will get his shipment to go on sale tues, i will let you know if i get a call on friday.

[Javaflash @ Oct 17th 2006 6:27PM]

Homan, pay for needs not spec...

...because a couple months down the road, you're more likely to remember HDD/RAM size than X.XX Ghz Core X Duo blah blah.

The former is what you use; the later is what the machine uses.

[Chris @ Oct 17th 2006 6:31PM]

Why has it taken them so long to do this. It might not even happen while every other laptop has it standard. And all the people who are talking about buying it once the update arrives, leopard is around the corner. So its going to take another 300 dollars to get it up to standard.

[Russ Matthews @ Oct 17th 2006 6:31PM]

Just before MacWorld? I'm really not seeing it myself. Granted, they did something similar with the iMac G5 and then caught us off guard at MW with an Intel version, but the change from Core Duo to Core 2 Duo is fairly small by comparison.

Not to mention, if everyone runs around Cupertino with the cone of silence permanently affixed to their heads, why on earth would sales folks know? I think it's the same thing that's going around all over the net... one rumor site drops a Mentos into the soda pop of the web and before you know it, the game of telephone takes on a life of its own and is used to confirm the rumor it was based on to begin with. Not biting.

[marty @ Oct 17th 2006 6:50PM]

This kinda sucks for apple and prospective apple buyers. We all know that it took Apple a long time to switch to Core 2 Duo, and now that theyre finally getting it, 3-4 months later Core 2 Quad is coming out. I wonder how long it'll take for them to put that into their laptops. But im with Mike on this one, when they get a macbook pro core 2 quad with leopard, and a sale that if you buy that laptop you get a huge discount on an iphone/ipod touch, I'm Buying!

[Michael Long @ Oct 17th 2006 7:14PM]

Yeah, but can they make one whose lid when closed isn't curved upwards like a banana? The fit and finish on the new MacBooks, especially the 17" version, simply isn't what it used to be...

[David @ Oct 17th 2006 6:54PM]

Quad cores for desktop, mobile quad core will be later in 2007. Intel's initial offering will really be a dual dual core design, a less efficient design than a true quad core chip...

[Raider @ Oct 17th 2006 6:59PM]

I don't see them putting a Core 2 Duo in a MacBook. I do see them putting one in a MacBook Pro though. I think they will do it this way to differentiate between the two lines. Same thing with the Mac Mini still having the Core Duo and the iMac going Core 2 Duo.

Entry level = older processor.

BTW, those of you that say the Core 2 Duo is standard already.... not necessarily. There are STILL notebooks that are sold with Celeron chips. Remember that the MacBook is to be the entry level Mac notebook. A Core Duo is hardly entry level... compared to a Celeron.

[Kabir @ Oct 17th 2006 7:07PM]

My guess is that it's taking this long because there are more changes under the hood than just a processor upgrade. That could also be wishful thinking.

Whatever it is, they need to hurry and get this done. I've got a Vaio on my shopping list that I'm ready to take the plunge on if they can't make this happen in the next couple weeks. I've waited long enough already.

[Korey @ Oct 17th 2006 7:09PM]

yeah im waiting till macworld in january too. I aint gunna blow 2 grand and then find out the updates are out next week for cheaper. I have had this happen before

[page @ Oct 17th 2006 7:49PM]

Zadillo,

What I'm saying is they should use a full keyboard like they do with their desktops, since it's a 17" model they have the space to tack on the numeric keypad. 109 instead of 78 keys - all the way to the edge like the 12" PowerBook did.

[c.Lake @ Oct 17th 2006 7:54PM]

What about BATTERY LIFE? The Intel Core Duo lasted about 2 hours, what this one going to be? 15 minutes?

[engdgt.9.nikster @ Oct 17th 2006 8:12PM]

re battery life: I sure hope the MBP is better than 2 hours! c2d has roughtly the same bat life. however, it's the graphics card which really kills things... i have the x1600 in my pc laptop and get 3 hours on max on c1d even though it has a big fat 9 cell battery.

[engdgt.9.nikster @ Oct 17th 2006 8:02PM]

c2d is out, but by no means wide spread - i see tons of notebooks on sale with c1d and p-M and c-M.

i will decide whether i want it or not when it's out - i just sold my powerbook and i am looking for a replacement mac.

but this time around i will wait at least 45 days after it's released and scour the forums for any problems before making a decision. it's true that mac users are a particularly picky bunch but the last few releases were plagued by problems. it should also be said that Apple has taken care of all of them, in due time.

[pierce han @ Oct 17th 2006 8:26PM]

i already have the 2.16 macbook pro with 2 gb ram... if they upgrade the processor is it really needed to get the new one? i invested a lot of money on this and it would be a waste to have to get a new one. is there a way i can send this one into apple for an upgrade? or a homebrewed solution?

[rudoe @ Oct 17th 2006 9:13PM]

Who was it from switzerland?
Somebody from the ETH Z�rich?
So in their student bargain-sale(Neptun http://www.neptun.ethz.ch/ ) they sell the "old" Core Duo just before the new Core 2 Duo are released?

[swisstip @ Oct 18th 2006 3:59AM]

the sales window of ETH "Neptun Project" started from 16 Oct till 5 Nov.

And their "Apple Models Fall 2006" were announced only 4-5 days before the project kicked off (few months after the sales window was set).
What's more is this messsage
* Specifications and prices listed may change up until the opening of the sales window.

Quite a conservative act! (those shrewd swiss)

I'm afraid we won't get any C2D MB and MBP before 5 Nov.

[GadgetGav @ Oct 17th 2006 10:23PM]

@ pierce han, yes you have to go out and buy a new one as soon as it's released. 2.16ghz and 2gb just won't cut it. And Apple have always supported sending in old machines to have them magically transformed into the latest and greatest, so I'm sure they'll help you out. I think it's free too. If not, feel free to send me the obsolete old junk when you go out to buy the new one.

Didn't PC Magazine test Core Duo vs Core 2 Duo in PC laptops and conclude that for most things C2D was only about 7% faster..?

[Dan @ Oct 17th 2006 10:23PM]

I'll only buy before MacWorld if they put C2D in, new case with magnet latch and easy RAM and HDD access, 8x Superdrive in 15" and I'd like to see Firewire800 for an external drive, but I can live with an eSATA card in my expresscard slot. I'd like to see some new innovation we haven't seen in the MacBook or in any other notebook out there. It's been a long wait.

If this is a simple processor swap.... I don't even know what to say. It better be a crazy early Penryn Apple-only release because it's been WAY too long.

[Dan @ Oct 17th 2006 10:26PM]

The only reason I want C2D is for 64-bit. I know there's not many apps out there that take advantage of it, but I plan on having this machine a long time, so I don't want to have to buy another in 2 years (although I'm the type of person who will seel my 3 month old machine on ebay and get a brand new one if it's got something really nice in it. I've got a problem)

[Alex @ Oct 17th 2006 11:27PM]

The MBP pictured above is a slightly darker hue of graphite. Hope it will resemble closer to that color. Gives it a nice touch. The sold graphite is so passe. It's been had for years now!

[A-ron @ Oct 17th 2006 11:15PM]

This story is total vapor. No sales rep knows before Apple announces publicly. Period. Nor can/will they take pre-orders for unannounced product.

It'll happen, and soon. But we'll all know at the same time.

Trust.

[Shade @ Oct 18th 2006 8:24AM]

I'll be getting one, I wonder if they will put a graphics card in the macbook, anyway I'll be waiting until next yr :))

[Andrew @ Oct 18th 2006 9:46AM]

Given that apple is about to update the laptops, my bet is that Macworld will be focused on consumer products, like new ipod, itv, the iphone and maybe another leopard preview. Intel quad cores (for laptops) are still a while off - they aren't coming out with the quad cores for desktops, so I'm buying A new MBP as soon as they come out in the next few weeks as I don't see any further updates in the near future, certainly not at Macworld expo anyway. I hope they update more than just the intel chip, It would be good to see a new casing (the silver design has been out for ages and I like the new MB keyboard better than the MBP's) but I think that's wishful thinking. Realistically I see them being exactly the same just with C2D chips.

[Fritz @ Oct 18th 2006 9:26AM]

When it's your primary work machine, having to send a laptop in for repair is a huge pain in the ass. If Apple needs extra time to iron out the issues that some of the current MBs have had, then that's time well spent, I think.

[svan @ Oct 18th 2006 12:18PM]

core2 quad in a laptop? And you guys bitch about overheating laptops now??

[Steve @ Oct 18th 2006 12:58PM]

I know this may be a dumb question. But could you just buy an off the shelf C2D processor and drop it in your MBP and voila be Core 2 like that?

I just bought a MBP 2 months ago, and was hoping I could upgrade the processor. K Thanks :)

[Tyler Durden @ Oct 18th 2006 2:35PM]

You should have done some research before plunking down that cabbage. Your processor is not upgradeable.

[Scott @ Oct 18th 2006 1:39PM]

Yes, Steve called me too. He assured me they'd be right around the corner!

Just thought I'd give you all the INSIDE scoop!

[spam @ Oct 18th 2006 4:05PM]

"What I'm saying is they should use a full keyboard like they do with their desktops, since it's a 17" model they have the space to tack on the numeric keypad. 109 instead of 78 keys - all the way to the edge like the 12" PowerBook did."

Have you actually used a notebook with a built-in numeric keypad?

I *really* dislike this arrangement on notebook computers. Makes for awful ergonomics - it means the keyboard isn't centered and your typing position is all screwed up. I'd bet my car that Apple will never produce a laptop with this arrangement for precisely this reason.

I would absolutely never consider purchasing a machine with that setup. If you've used such a setup and enjoyed it, more power to you, but I think most people asking for such a setup have never actually tried typing on such a beast!

[Mike @ Oct 20th 2006 6:19AM]

I want to believe because first ...The company I work for supply's us with new private computers every 3 years and this year ...1 week ago I recieved the latest brochure on varies laptops up for grabs at staff prices and YES no bull..Macbook and Macpro both available with Intel core 2 duo...so of course I rang and questioned the service center regarding the topic and there answer was not confirmed only that delivery time for my Macpro would be december 2006.???????????
will it be false advertising or a wonderful surprise.

[chowza @ Oct 19th 2006 1:15AM]

And, they're going to run cooler, too......right (or at least have more sensible and effective heat directing/venting)?? :-(

[Nick Byrd @ Oct 19th 2006 9:34PM]

Also, notice that bestbuy.com only has one macbook (black) on their website, when they used to have 2 or 3 macbooks, and 2 MBP's...

[homer @ Oct 20th 2006 9:30AM]

C2D is nice and all, but anyone have any idea 'bout this Santa Rosa thingy?

[Sergio @ Oct 20th 2006 5:29PM]

I don't know, but I bought a Macbook through phone sales and after a couple of returns due to them sending me the wrong Macbook, me changing my mind, and finally telling them I wanted to cancel the order because I wanted to wait for the new ones with the Core Duo 2 which are rumored to come out in November, they slashed the price by $165 not including the $100 student dscount I already had. The only explanation I can find is that the new ones are coming out very soon and they are getting rid of the old ones.

[winonna @ Nov 8th 2006 9:14PM]

My bf went to buy a macbook for me this morning and was asked to wait because the new macbook with core 2 duo is coming soon and most importantly it's gonna be cheaper than the current one. So I didn't buy it and wish the new one come out in a week.