Intel slips new Core 2 Duo "S" processors out the door

Not exactly many surprises here, but it looks like Intel used its big Developer Forum this week to finally, and quietly, get official with its tiny new Core 2 Duo "S" processor, which is the stock version of the processor used in laptops like the MacBook Air and Voodoo Envy 133. The new 45nm processors boast same 1,066MHz system bus and 6MB of Level 2 cache as the newer Core 2 Duos, and will apparently be available in 1.6GHz and 1.86GHz versions to start with (dubbed the SL9300 and SL9400, respectively). That, of course, hasn't stopped folks from speculating that Apple will once again go its own way and push well past the 2.0GHz mark for its seemingly imminent MacBook Air revision, but we'd recommend waiting for some official word out of Cupertino before getting too excited about that tantalizing possibility.

[Wolfticket @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:12PM]

"...before getting too excited about that tantalizing possibility." Sarcasm, right?

[vcx @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:27PM]

We can only hope.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:13PM]

Not really earth-shattering but why is Intel putting them out the door. Is that equivalent to throwing it out the window?

[who? @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:14PM]

Mmmmm... New processors.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:21PM]

"...tantalizing possibility."

So we're really throwing the word "tantalizing" out there for anything now, aren't we?

[GatgetMan @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:34PM]

Personally I like "tit-ilating"

[Minilap @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:29PM]

Ideal processor for netbooks. You'll pay premium but you'll get a real notebook in a size of netbook.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:36PM]

Isn't that what the dual core Atom is for?

[kccboy2004 @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:47PM]

@minilap,

I get what you are saying BUT.... you have missed the point. The reason behind the netbook : it is a response to the fact that we don't need to do anything intensive with a netbook. It raison d'étre is to surf the net and email. On the other hand, that then leaves me free to have my "main laptop" bigger and better. (Bigger screen, Better components). This is because my main laptop being used to intensive purposes is generally mobile but sits in one spot mostly.

Netbook: I carry everywhere. I use Skpe, Email, Web surfing, travels with me wherever I go (sits in my backpack / handbag)
20 inch laptop: Goes from home office to my place of work. I use to design web pages, program, edit photo's / video, intensive spreadsheet work. (generally goes in my car and in my roll-bag).

[telepheedian @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:51PM]

I dunno, the single core handles most of what I need, as long as i'm not gaming or video editing. A tad laggy, but I'll trade a bit of speed for the battery life I've been getting out of the eee 1000h.

[Minilap @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:48PM]

@kccboy

I too hear what you and others say, but you have to understand that there is market for a 10" laptop with a core 2 processor. This would be for people who need to do more than just email, web surfing and other light graphical work. There are 12" laptops with core 2 processor but a 10" laptop with netbook build quality combined with a 1.6 dual core 2 processor would have its own market.

[Chad @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:39PM]

Nice use of an Intel announcement to put in a plug for Apple

[ethana2 @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:02PM]

Dude, this is engadget.

[Bill Jobs @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:58PM]

Get over the Apple and Engadget fiasco. Yes, engadget posts a lot about Apple. And yes, they may post too much at times.

But you have to admit (until very recently) Apple has been doing better than usual. They've released the iPhone, which despite its flaws, is an excellent smartphone. They've released the thinnest notebook ever, which despite all of the flaws (which there are PLENTY of) is still an amazing notebook. They've launched MobileMe, which once it (hopefully) finally gets up and running will be an excellent service for the price.

Can you name another company that has had this much going on lately? iPhone, MobileMe, AppStore, iPod updates, MacBook Air, etc..............they each deserve press coverage and they are each getting it.

Engadget writes about (you'll never believe this) GADGETS. And all of the above are gadgets, or services for use with your gadgets. So yes, Engadget is going to write about them. Now yes, sometimes I think they overdo it, but for the most part they are just doing their job as tech bloggers.

Also, another reason they write about Apple so much is because they get LOTS of traffic from Apple related news. Don't believe me? Ask Ryan: http://www.ryanblock.com/2008/06/biggest-day-ever/

I am an Apple fanboy. I have an iPhone and love it. I have a Mac and love it. I am not saying that Apple is superior. I'm just saying they're doing pretty well and because of that engadget is going to blog about them.

I am not standing up for Engadget because I am standing up for Apple. I don't have the time to do stupid stuff like that. I am standing up for Engadget because I believe that most of the reporting about Apple is justified, and that the criticisms about engadget blogging too much about Apple are ridiculous.

Go ahead, rank me as you wish.

[Richard Lai @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:23PM]

@Bill Jobs: I see what you did there.

And tl, cr.

[bertross @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:13AM]

@Bill Jobs
*claps*. Well said.

[Slim Daniels @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:14PM]

When they start putting out clips with 4+ cores for under $150 then I'll start to pay attention again. *CPU clocks are not an issue for Slim*

[bertross @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:14AM]

I would imagine them to have horrible battery lives, unless Intel has done something amazing in terms of power consumption for those Mobile Quads.

[Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:12PM]

Now I'm waiting for the SU9300 and SU9400 to make their way into the Sony Vaio TZ and similar subnotebooks.

[PynkFloydd @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:31PM]

Shouldn't Apple wait to "push well past the 2.0GHz mark" until they fix their overheating issues with the Macbook Air?

[GatgetMan @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:27PM]

That's already taken care of, All you need to do is install a copper plate, yes, I did... and I love it!

[PynkFloydd @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:53PM]

Doesn't that void your warranty?

I'm just guessing but, I think that's why Lenovo is only using SSD's in their X300 and a slower processor. ...they can't possibly create enough airflow to vent out such a small space. If you read the Lenovo engineering blog, they talk about how much effort went into the creation...it's pretty interesting.

I've got my doubts about an ultra-thin laptop being able to handle a 2.0+gHz processor with today's current cooling solutions...

[GatgetMan @ Aug 23rd 2008 2:31AM]

Warranty died when I put in the EVDO card, so it's all fun and games until I short something out!

[bertross @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:15AM]

I've heard the body itself of the Macbook Air is part of the cooling system, hence the reason the notebook gets hot.

[GatgetMan @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:53PM]

One of the first "tear apart" articles stated that fact, which is entirely incorrect. The inside of the bottom aluminum piece is coated with an insulating plastic above the heatsink, as well as the logicboard under the heatsink is coated.



You'll find a brilliant article here:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080306/148608/?ST=english_PRINT