IntelCore2Duo
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Rumor: MacBook Pro Intel Arrandale processors in January
Fudzilla is reporting that Intel will release Arrandale-based processors on January 3rd, 2010. Three in fact, branded as "Core i5" and "Core i7," ranging in speed from 2.4GHz to 2.66GHz. There are two Core i5 models. One features 3MB of cache, a 2.4GHz frequency, two cores and four threads plus Turbo Mode, while the other features two cores, four threads, Turbo Mode, 3MB of L2 cache and a 2.53GHz frequency. Fudzilla prices them at $225US and $257, respectively. Finally, the 2.66GHz Core i7 model features 4MB of cache and Turbo Mode and can run faster. Fudzilla expects them to sell for $332. You'll remember that desktop Macs received Nehalem architecture processors earlier this year, which these Arrandale processors are based on. If built into Apple's MacBook Pros, they'd represent a significant performance boost over the Core 2 Duo processors currently in use. [Via MacRumors]
ASUS's UL30Vt announced, somehow finds room for discrete graphics
ASUS impressed the world with its lightweight, inexpensive 13.3-inch UL30 over the summer, and just last week impressed us with its switchable-graphics packing bigger cousin, the UL80Vt. Now the 30 is getting the discrete treatment, enabling users to choose from molasses rendering and "all-day computing" battery life or slightly more robust graphics and slightly (about an hour) shorter longevity. The system also packs DDR3 memory, a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor (able to be overclocked), and that "stylishly robust" aluminum lid. No word on release or price, but the earlier Vt models didn't come with a massive leap in MSRP, so we'd expect this one not to fall too far from UL30's $749 street price. [Thanks, Neti_Neti]
Intel rebrands: Core i3, i5, i7 are in, Centrino on the outs
Intel's doing some spring cleaning on its branding structure, adding new Cores on the block. Joining the high-level Core i7 series will be the mid range Core i5 in the coming months and the lower-end Core i3's early next year. To be more specific, the Lynnfield chipsets will be either i5 or i7 depending on the feature set, Clarkfield mobile chips will be i7, and the 32nm Arrandale will at least at first fall under i3. Of course, with the new gang in town, some older monikers will be going wayside, and getting the slow fade out are Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, and Centrino, the latter being eventually marginalized for WiMAX and WiFi products only. Making the cut are Celeron, Pentium, and the ever-resilient Atom names. We're a bit sad to know there will never be a Core 2 Dodeca, but hey, it's only a name, right?. Hit up the read link for more details, including a video interview with Intel's VP of Marketing Deborah Conrad.[Via CNET]Read - Intel's New Brand Structure ExplainedRead - Fewer Brands, Greater Impact
But wait, there's more: MacBook Pro gets a small speed boost
In all of this morning's hubbub about the new Mac mini, Mac Pro, and iMac, Apple seems to have sneaked in a speed bump to the 15" MacBook Pro.The top standard configuration of the 15" MacBook Pro now has a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, slightly faster than the previous model which came standard with a 2.53 GHz processor. If you really want to max out your MacBook Pro, you can add a $300 configure-to-order option that plunks a 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo under the hood. That's 4.6% faster for those of you who are into the minutiae of processor speeds.The price tag for the standard top-of-the-line configuration 15" MacBook Pro remains at US$2,499.[via Macworld]
NEC introduces wild new ValueStar, LaVie and LaVie Light models
NEC is back on the scene with a clutch of new products, including a couple all-in-ones, some notebooks and a color refresh for the LaVie Light. Standing in stark contrast to the new Viewsonic all-in-ones, the two additions to the ValueStar line pack a little heat, with Intel Core and AMD Athlon processors, generous helpings of memory and storage, and features like Blu-ray and digital TV tuners that are sure to amuse and titillate. The new LaVie notebooks run the gamut from 13.3- to 16-inch, with either Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon processors. In addition to the usual storage and memory options, the 13.3-inch model sports an LED that can be configured by the user to display either the time or a line of text. Last but not least, fans of the boxy LaVie Light netbook have a couple more color options -- aside from the original black or white, they've thrown pink and blue into the mix. Be sure to check out the additional images and detailed specs after the break.Read: Two NEC New ValueStar All in One DesktopsRead: Three New LaVie Notebooks from NECRead: NEC Launches a New Color Pack for their LaVie Light Netbook
HP Pavilion dv6 laptops show up online for pre-order
Eagle-eyed Engadget readers have spotted two new listings on JR.com for dv6-series HP Pavilion laptops. The $800 dv6-1030us houses a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400, 320GB HDD, and Bluetooth, while the $1,050 model has a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo P7450, 400GB HDD, 2 firewire ports, and a GeForce 9200M GS (oddly enough, the 1050 model has no mention of Bluetooth capabilities). Both laptops have a 16-inch, 16:9 screen, 4GB RAM, DVD±R/RW, a webcam, 802.11a/g/n and Vista Home Premium 64-Bit. The devices aren't listed on HP's US site, although support documents for the dv6 series are. No release dates given, but both models are currently available for pre-order.[Thanks, Rodrigo]Read -- JR.com listingsRead -- HP Pavilion dv6 series support page
PC World's 20 most innovative products of 2006
PC World has just released their '20 Most Innovative Products for 2006,' and there isn't an Apple product in sight. Why, then, am I writing about it you might ask. Because 3 Mac related items did make it on the list: Intel Core 2 Duo: This little chip powers the most recent crop of Macs and it clocked in (get it?) at number 2 on the list. Parallels Desktop for Mac: Entering at number 3 is Parallels Desktop, the Mac app of 2006. No other app has received such good reviews, buzz, or accolades. The best part? All the praise is well deserved. Google SketchUp: Google's relationship with the Mac has been rocky, but they are really working hard to patch things up. SketchUp is available for both Mac and PC and it is darn fun to play around with (and I bet it is even useful to some folks). Congrats to everyone who made it onto the list this year, and boo to PC World for spreading the article across several pages.[via the Official Parallels Virtualization Blog]
Shuttle XPC SD37P2 supports Intel's Core 2 Duo
It was only a matter of time before we could stuff a shiny new Intel Core 2 Duo processor into an SFF box, and although its a little late to the party, Shuttle has unveiled the SD37P2 barebones case and labeled it the "world's fastest SFF PC," even though it doesn't actually come with a CPU. Nevertheless, the relatively standard looking black case rocks the Intel 975x Express chipset supporting the Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Duo Extreme, Pentium Extreme, and Pentium D. With a FSB of 1,066MHz, support for 8GB of DDR2 RAM, and dual PCIe (x16) slots sporting ATI CrossFire technology , you could actually make a halfway decent gaming machine out of this. The obligatory built-in Gigabit Ethernet and 7.1 channel HD audio is included, and the design engineers gave you plenty of reasons to utilize all your off-the-wall USB-powered toys by tossing in 10 USB ports. The SilentX 400 watt PSU, dual FireWire connectors, and support for three internal hard drives rounds out the fairly solid offering -- but as usual, Shuttle likes to throw a premium on their little boxes, and by slapping a €419 ($537) pricetag on this barebones kit, we'd probably suggest finding a less costly destination for your Core 2 Duo.[Via RegHardware]
