Intel Officially Brands Nehalem as 'Core i7' Processor

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Intel has announced (http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/38818/135/) that the upcoming Nehalem processor will be officially known as the Core i7.

Nehalem has been the code name for Intel's upcoming processors first due in Q4 2008. Nehalem represents a major overhaul of Intel's processor technology and introduces a number of improvements over existing process bottlenecks.

Intel's choice of name seems to be arbitrary but will reportedly fit into the naming scheme for the full line of chips, as explained by TGDaily.com: Intel told us that “i7” was simply chosen because it is “short and sweet”. The company showed some understanding for our confusion over this name choice and promised that i7 would make sense down the road when additional new identifiers are introduced.Intel is expected (http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210000564) to reveal more information about the Core i7 at the Intel Developer Forum on August 19th. At the conference, Intel will also detail a new energy saving technique in the i7:Intel would not reveal the nature of the new energy efficiency feature in the Core i7 chips. A company spokesman said it is not a direct evolution of the Intel's SpeedStep technology that automates frequency scaling based on workloads.While the first of the Core i7 processors will be introduced in Q4 2008, mainstream desktop and mobile versions of the processor will be delayed until well into 2009.



Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/10/intel-officially-brands-nehalem-as-core-i7-processor/)

[Eidorian]

Monday already? :rolleyes:

Bloomfield at a low end, stable price of $266 is really going to kill what Apple offers.

[MalcolmJID]

Sounds good. At least there won't be anyone asking to wait for this one :rolleyes: although I imagine they'll be introduced into the MacBook line by the end of '09

[johata3]

2009!? No new macbook pro models in September?

[miniHope]

Well, sure looks like Intel is catching some of the 'i-something' fever from Apple. :)

[andiwm2003]

hm, that means Penryn Macbook or Macbook pro as soon as they are released. I plan on buying a 13.3 inch notebook so it could be a MB or a MBP.

then a second notebook end of 2009 or beginning of 2010. maybe even quadcore in 2010.

i wonder how much energy saving beyond reducing the clockspeed is possible. i hope the chips don't run very hot.

[DOUGHNUT]

2009!? No new macbook pro models in September?

there will still be a MB/MBP update in September since i7 mobile won't arrive until 2nd half next year.

[Eidorian]

2009!? No new macbook pro models in September?A Nehalem mobile platform won't even be out until 2009.

You're looking forward to improved Penryn 45nm processors on the just released Montevina platform.

hm, that means Penryn Macbook or Macbook pro as soon as they are released. I plan on buying a 13.3 inch notebook so it could be a MB or a MBP.

then a second notebook end of 2009 or beginning of 2010. maybe even quadcore in 2010.

i wonder how much energy saving beyond reducing the clockspeed is possible. i hope the chips don't run very hot.I expect a quad in the 17" MacBook Pro this year. It'll be some time for one to show up in the MacBook.

[alphaod]

Well, sure looks like Intel is catching some of the 'i-something' fever from Apple. :)

Or you're just recognizing that and Apple has taken over your mind!

A Nehalem mobile platform won't even be out until 2009.

You're looking forward to improved Penryn 45nm processors on the just released Montevina platform.

I hope Apple doesn't pull a Mac Mini on the rest of the line.

[Eidorian]

I hope Apple doesn't pull a Mac Mini on the rest of the line.Apple has been doing a Fall laptop update for how long now?

Mac mini needs love but we have plenty of other threads on that. I really want to buy on right now as well...

[manhattanboy]

anything faster and with less power consumption will be a welcome addition
thumbs up

[twoodcc]

not sure what's up with the naming here, but i hope to see these in new macs

[amac4me]

In my view, the best time for current owners to upgrade their portable Macs will be next year when the mobile version of Nehalem are available.

My current MBP was purchased in March of this year so I plan on upgrading next year. Glad I timed my purchases this way.

The next MacBook and MacBook Pro updates won't be earth shattering. People have been hoping for redesigns but I don't think we'll see them just yet. It would be too risky for Apple because it wouldn't make sense to have redesigned systems released just prior to the holiday shopping season. It opens the door to potential problems, a design flaw, production issues, or something that couldn't have been anticipated.

A major design change heading into the busiest shopping period of the year ... I doubt it will happen. Thus, the next revisions to the MacBook and MacBook Pro are likely to be incremental.

These are my expectations :)

[winterspan]

Perhaps


1st gen architecture = 8086
2nd gen architecture = 286
3rd gen architecture = 386
4th gen architecture = 486
5th gen architecture = P5 (Pentium)
6th gen architecture = P6-based (Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium-M, Core, Core 2)
(6th gen branched to "P68" aka Pentium IV)
7th gen architecture = i7 Nehalem



Anyways, I can't wait for a 2x quad-core "Gainestown" (Nehalem) Mac Pro. Besides just the new single-die quad-core architecture, Quickpath interface, integrated memory controller, simultaneous multi-threading, etc, It will use triple channel DDR3. Finally RAM won't be so darn expensive anymore. 8GB+ of RAM will make multi-platform development with VMware great! :)

[galstaph]

should be interesting to see what these are capable of when they are released...

[andiwm2003]

............................
The next MacBook and MacBook Pro updates won't be earth shattering. People have been hoping for redesigns but I don't think we'll see them just yet. It would be too risky for Apple because it wouldn't make sense to have redesigned systems released just prior to the holiday shopping season. It opens the door to potential problems, a design flaw, production issues, or something that couldn't have been anticipated.

A major design change heading into the busiest shopping period of the year ... I doubt it will happen. Thus, the next revisions to the MacBook and MacBook Pro are likely to be incremental.

These are my expectations :)

i don't think you're right.

for one nehalem is far away so buying now gives you a long time till the next update is out (if you care about that at all).

then the moderate update you mention is only moderate for you. for other people it's the jump from G4 to intel dual core and that is huge.

and i expect a case redesign soon together with LED displays in the MB. after that is a good time to buy if you are not happy with the current offering. a lot of people are and buy now.

[pianoman181]

Would Core 3 have been too easy? Seriously.

[Roller]

i don't think you're right.

for one nehalem is far away so buying now gives you a long time till the next update is out (if you care about that at all).

then the moderate update you mention is only moderate for you. for other people it's the jump from G4 to intel dual core and that is huge.

and i expect a case redesign soon together with LED displays in the MB. after that is a good time to buy if you are not happy with the current offering. a lot of people are and buy now.

I agree. I don't think that we'll see Nehalem-based laptops from Apple until MW 2010, and that's a long way off. Until then, Apple will have to come up with something more than incremental changes in order to remain competitive.

[amac4me]

i don't think you're right.

for one nehalem is far away so buying now gives you a long time till the next update is out (if you care about that at all).

then the moderate update you mention is only moderate for you. for other people it's the jump from G4 to intel dual core and that is huge.

and i expect a case redesign soon together with LED displays in the MB. after that is a good time to buy if you are not happy with the current offering. a lot of people are and buy now.

I agree. I don't think that we'll see Nehalem-based laptops from Apple until MW 2010, and that's a long way off. Until then, Apple will have to come up with something more than incremental changes in order to remain competitive.

My comment about it an incremental update is relative to the current generation. I do however think that the comment about LED displays in the MacBook is a real possibility. The same goes for a multi-touch trackpad. 2010 is too far out for Nehalem-based Mac portables.

Overall, I think the time to release redesigned systems is after the holidays at MacWorld 2009. With the 3G iPhone release out of the way and other than a Snow Leopard demo, what else do we have to look forward to in January?

[Rootman]

Weird. I have a cat named i7.

[kabunaru]

First, MacBook
Then comes the MacBook i7.

First, MacBook Pro
Then comes the MacBook Pro i7.

i7= sounds very close to G7 (PowerPC)
PowerPC resemblance anyone? :rolleyes:

[andiwm2003]

.................... With the 3G iPhone release out of the way and other than a Snow Leopard demo, what else do we have to look forward to in January?

ilife, mac mini, apple TV, ipod's, mac pro, tablet mac/subnotebook, imac updates, blue ray

anyway, back to the topic: nehalem promises a secret power saving system. will that allow to change the design of noteboks toward MBA like designs?

[thecartoonguy]

Weird. I have a cat named i7.

Hehe mine is named 5
wait.....
wait for it......

cat-5...I get it :D

[ltcol266845]

Ah, well into 2009 sounds like a good time for a MBP upgrade :)

I for one am waiting AT LEAST until quad cores come to 15.4" MBP. Maybe even WUXGA :)

And who isn't excited for Larrabee! I for one hope that Intel kicks some serious butt with Larrabee, the graphics market is in need of a revolution, and it will make desktops significantly more powerful!

[winterspan]

My comment about it an incremental update is relative to the current generation. I do however think that the comment about LED displays in the MacBook is a real possibility. The same goes for a multi-touch trackpad. 2010 is too far out for Nehalem-based Mac portables.

Overall, I think the time to release redesigned systems is after the holidays at MacWorld 2009. With the 3G iPhone release out of the way and other than a Snow Leopard demo, what else do we have to look forward to in January?

I'm at a loss as to whether they (Apple) and others

Despite some doubts, I think I'm going to have to agree with the others on this. It just seems like it has been SOOOOO long since Macbook and Macbook Pro case and structural changes that it would be crazy to wait for mobile Nehalem. One point I'm interested to see is if Apple (and other computer companies) have your same perspective on the holiday rush, e.g. they would rather make conservative updates to their product line than risk any problems with major product changes during a huge sales period. That is certainly one way to look at it. The other would be the desire to maximize sales by driving the hype around new products.

I decided to do some quick "back of the napkin" research and look at Apple's past behavior regarding major laptop updates. I only included laptop updates that made either case modifications or major processor changes.

1st gen iBook G3 July 1999
2nd gen iBook G3 May 2001
1st gen iBook G4 Oct 2003

1st gen PowerBook G4 (Ti) Jan 2001
2nd gen PowerBook G4 (Al 12/17") Jan 2003
2nd gen PowerBook G4 (Al 15") Sept 2003

1st gen MacBook (Core) May 2006
1.5 gen Macbook (Core 2) Nov 2006

1st gen Macbook Pro (15") Feb 2006
1st gen Macbook Pro (17") Apr 2006
1.5 gen Macbook Pro (Core 2) Oct 2006

From that data at least, there doesn't seem to be a strict release strategy. Although it appears to be more the exception than the rule, both the iBook G4 and the 15" version of the aluminum Powerbook were launched during the pre-Christmas shopping period. Also, The Core -> Core 2 transition of both the Macbook and Macbook Pro happened during the 2006 Christmas shopping season.

After all that, I'm still unsure. But given that both laptops' designs are long in the tooth, and that mobile Nehalem is more than a year away, I'm leaning towards a major overhaul in at least the Macbook, and possibly the MBP, being seen in the next month.

[deputy_doofy]

The one thing I don't like about Intel is the fact that it uses 7 billion code names for different iterations of the same processor and now, 7 billion actual naming schemes. No wonder people don't know the difference between a Pentium 4 and a Pentium D, Celeron vs. Centrino, Core vs. Core 2 (now vs. Core i7). Also, people think Core 2 mean dual-core, but it's Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad, etc. Marketing f'd this one up.

We need a new name... again. Call it a G6 and be done with it. :D

[SFVCyclone]

What I want to see is an all-in-one MacMini. Say MacMini meets iMac meets MacBook Air. That would be KILLER!!!

[commander.data]

The one thing I don't like about Intel is the fact that it uses 7 billion code names for different iterations of the same processor and now, 7 billion actual naming schemes.
They need to keep ahead of their transistor counts? :D

[deputy_doofy]

Ok, upon more thought, I wonder if...
Pentium
Pentium 2
Pentium 3
Pentium 4
Core (Pentium 5)
Core 2 (Pentium 6)
Core i7 (Pentium 7 or iteration 7)

Of course, that numbering scheme completely ignores the processors prior to the Pentium as well as the current versions of processors still named Pentiums, even though they are now budget chips.

[Stridder44]

First, MacBook
Then comes the MacBook i7.

First, MacBook Pro
Then comes the MacBook Pro i7.

i7= sounds very close to G7 (PowerPC)
PowerPC resemblance anyone?

Yeah, just like the current MacBook Pro Core2Duo. Oh wait... :rolleyes:

In any case though, new tech is always a good thing. I'm very interested in their naming scheme and why they chose i7.

[joepunk]

so who's with me in waiting to upgrade from their powerbook/first gen macbook/pro? :D

[happydude]

Well, sure looks like Intel is catching some of the 'i-something' fever from Apple. :)

yeah, anyone else tired of this . . .

[wonderbread57]

yeah, anyone else tired of this . . .

My Documents
Mobile ME
Ipod/Itunes/Iphone
YouTube

Consumers are narcissistic. Probably not going away soon

[BullMooseFilms]

Yeah "Core i7" is retarded.

I hope that it really does make some sort of sense when they release other chip designations down the road.

I wonder if they'll be "Core i7 Quad" etc depending on the core count.

I thought Nehalem was sort of a lame name, but wow it's miles better than that.

But I guess who cares, the processors are awesome - sort of like a hot guy called Delbert, lousy name but who cares, he's hot ;) (substitute 'Agnes' or similar if you're into the ladies)

[stephengiem]

the naming convention intel comes up with sucks. what happened to their old one, at least it was about nature.

[stephengiem]

My comment about ... With the 3G iPhone release out of the way and other than a Snow Leopard demo, what else do we have to look forward to in January?

maybe faster SMS typing update #2, copy and paste, a better battery life firmware update...

i was at the beach today and it lasted half a day. no push, no bluetooth, no wifi, 3g sometimes, high brightness since its the beach can't see anything.

[dguisinger]

For those on Intel's case for having an i like Apple
Go look at old processor pics:

i8086
i8088
i286
i386
i486

The i386 and i486 had a very distinctive striped horizon-like design with the i reversed in color and the numbers printed over the horizon.

Its nothing new from Intel, they stopped putting i### in 1992 with the Pentium because they could trademark pentium (whereas they couldnt a generic number).

If i is inteded to be Intel, its a return to their roots, not copying Apple.

So to those of you who are making a big deal about it, Grow up

[CWallace]

If they were adopting a car nomenclature, it kind of makes sense to call the Bloomfield/Lynnfield core "i7" since it will be the top-end desktop CPU.

So Gainestown/Westmere would be "i8" and Beckton "i9". Clarksdale and Havendale would be "i6" as the low-end desktop.

Mobiles would have Clarksfield as the "i5" and Auburndale as "i4".

[vixapphire]

so who's with me in waiting to upgrade from their powerbook/first gen macbook/pro? :D

tibook 867 here, waiting for the upgrade.

hoping i'll be able to combine the upgrade of the 867 and my first-gen G5 dedicated music computer in a single hyper-powered laptop several times more powerful than either of them.

...was hoping i wouldn't have to wait until 2010 though.

[bananas]

Intel told us that “i7” was simply chosen because it is “short and sweet”. The company showed some understanding for our confusion over this name choice and promised that i7 would make sense down the road when additional new identifiers are introduced.

The naming is gonna make sense when the i8 chips come out.

:D

[booksacool1]

No mainstream chips till 2009? ****, that sounds like it'll be 6 months away.

[ReneR]

Perhaps


1st gen architecture = 8086
2nd gen architecture = 286
3rd gen architecture = 386
4th gen architecture = 486
5th gen architecture = P5 (Pentium)
6th gen architecture = P6-based (Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium-M, Core, Core 2)
(6th gen branched to "P68" aka Pentium IV)
7th gen architecture = i7 Nehalem



Anyways, I can't wait for a 2x quad-core "Gainestown" (Nehalem) Mac Pro. Besides just the new single-die quad-core architecture, Quickpath interface, integrated memory controller, simultaneous multi-threading, etc, It will use triple channel DDR3. Finally RAM won't be so darn expensive anymore. 8GB+ of RAM will make multi-platform development with VMware great! :)

Maybe, though you have to start counting 0-based,


zero gen architecture = 8086
1st gen architecture = 80186
2nd gen architecture = 80286
...


See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80186

[favell44]

The naming is gonna make sense when the i8 chips come out.

:D

O iC

[DonSqueak]

anything faster and with less power consumption will be a welcome addition
thumbs up

Apple, if you read this: Consider introducing one laptop on the lower side of the line-up with REALLY LOW POWER CONSUMPTION and advertise this as such, i. e. "this one's not fast but has THE LONGEST BATTERY LIFE IN THE INDUSTRY".

I believe that many users don't require faster chips at all. I'm perfectly satisfied with what we have.

Then on the rest of the line-up, do the FASTER trick.

That way they could get sales in the definitely cheaper to produce low velocity low energy market by still keeping the price reasonably high.

Steve, do this!!!

[OS X Dude]

So is i7 just going to offer faster processor speeds, higher FSB, less power consumption and smaller size, or is there something else there too?

[diamond.g]

So is i7 just going to offer faster processor speeds, higher FSB, less power consumption and smaller size, or is there something else there too?

i7 == Nehalem. So whatever Nehalem is supposed to bring to the table (SSE5, SMT, DMI/QPI, etc) we should see in i7. I will admit I think the name is dumb as well. But there isn't anything dumb about the improvements it is supposed to bring to the table.

[OS X Dude]

i7 == Nehalem. So whatever Nehalem is supposed to bring to the table (SSE5, SMT, DMI/QPI, etc) we should see in i7. I will admit I think the name is dumb as well. But there isn't anything dumb about the improvements it is supposed to bring to the table.

I know i7 and Nehalem are one and the same, just wondered what improvements they had, if there were more than just the usual things we see each time.

Anyone, screw i7! We haven't even got montevina MBPs yet! I think iMacs had Montevina processors in all but name, as they go up to 3.06GHz and have the faster FSB i think. off topic :)

[AlexisV]

It would be too risky for Apple because it wouldn't make sense to have redesigned systems released just prior to the holiday shopping season. It opens the door to potential problems, a design flaw, production issues, or something that couldn't have been anticipated.

Not sure I agree. September IS when Apple releases new stuff for the holiday season. That's when they make most profit and that's when they release new iPods!

[MrCrowbar]

Apple, if you read this: Consider introducing one laptop on the lower side of the line-up with REALLY LOW POWER CONSUMPTION and advertise this as such, i. e. "this one's not fast but has THE LONGEST BATTERY LIFE IN THE INDUSTRY".

I believe that many users don't require faster chips at all. I'm perfectly satisfied with what we have.

Then on the rest of the line-up, do the FASTER trick.

That way they could get sales in the definitely cheaper to produce low velocity low energy market by still keeping the price reasonably high.

Steve, do this!!!

Didn't they do that with the Macbook Air? The battery life is supposed to be the longest in the Apple lineup and performance is also below that of the seemingly-abandoneed Mac Mini.
But yea... pricing is different.

"low velocity" is intereseting. :o

The problem is there's no laptop class of processors that allows much more than 5 hours. The chip makers are upping the performance while keeping the power consumption as low as the preview generation. I thing a seriously undeclocked Core 2 Duo would be damn fine though. I'd love a little "eco" icon in the menu bar that undeclocks the CPU when clicked. There's an app called "Coolbook" out there, but it only lets you control Intel's Speed Step steps. Per Default, my Macbook's Core (1) Duo 2.0 GHz runs at 1.0 GHz, occasionally going up and only to full 2.00 GHz when there's something to do. I'd love for it to go down to, say 250 MHz when I'm doin word processing. It's idling below 5% CPU most of the time so I don't think you'd even notice the slowdown. It could still gp up to full speed when wanted (eco-mode switched off).

[ktlx]

It will use triple channel DDR3. Finally RAM won't be so darn expensive anymore. 8GB+ of RAM will make multi-platform development with VMware great! :)
It's entirely possible, based on platform rumors, that memory for the first i7 equipped Mac Pros will be considerably more expensive than today. Intel has hinted in the past they are committed to FB-DIMMs for the Xeon line even with the integrated memory controllers. It's possible the Mac Pro will require six or twelve DDR3 FB-DIMMs with each one possibly costing as much as the DDR2 FB-DIMMs when they were released.

[diamond.g]

It's entirely possible, based on platform rumors, that memory for the first i7 equipped Mac Pros will be considerably more expensive than today. Intel has hinted in the past they are committed to FB-DIMMs for the Xeon line even with the integrated memory controllers. It's possible the Mac Pro will require six or twelve DDR3 FB-DIMMs with each one possibly costing as much as the DDR2 FB-DIMMs when they were released. The only way the Mac Pro is going to use FB-DIMM with Nehalem is if it goes 4 socket. Intel is having the 2 socket systems use ECC DDR3. Supposedly Intel is going to be shying away from FB-DIMM.

Didn't they do that with the Macbook Air? The battery life is supposed to be the longest in the Apple lineup and performance is also below that of the seemingly-abandoneed Mac Mini.
But yea... pricing is different.

"low velocity" is intereseting. :o

The problem is there's no laptop class of processors that allows much more than 5 hours. The chip makers are upping the performance while keeping the power consumption as low as the preview generation. I thing a seriously undeclocked Core 2 Duo would be damn fine though. I'd love a little "eco" icon in the menu bar that undeclocks the CPU when clicked. There's an app called "Coolbook" out there, but it only lets you control Intel's Speed Step steps. Per Default, my Macbook's Core (1) Duo 2.0 GHz runs at 1.0 GHz, occasionally going up and only to full 2.00 GHz when there's something to do. I'd love for it to go down to, say 250 MHz when I'm doin word processing. It's idling below 5% CPU most of the time so I don't think you'd even notice the slowdown. It could still gp up to full speed when wanted (eco-mode switched off).

The problem is the multiplier can only go so low. It used to be that you could go all the way down to like 5x on the multilplier. That is why they are also making the bus speeds scalable. If you lower that as well you can reduce the CPU speed even more. Coupled with shutting down cores, that should allow for some pretty good power savings.

[ktlx]

The only way the Mac Pro is going to use FB-DIMM with Nehalem is if it goes 4 socket. Intel is having the 2 socket systems use ECC DDR3. Supposedly Intel is going to be shying away from FB-DIMM.
Okay, that's different than what Intel has shown in their past platform memory roadmaps. In their past roadmaps, they've shown FB-DIMMs for all multi-socket Xeon processors, even with the switch to DDR3.

[BenRoethig]

the naming convention intel comes up with sucks. what happened to their old one, at least it was about nature.

Those were code names. The Official names were Core 2 Quad Q9300 and so forth.

[diamond.g]

Okay, that's different than what Intel has shown in their past platform memory roadmaps. In their past roadmaps, they've shown FB-DIMMs for all multi-socket Xeon processors, even with the switch to DDR3.

Well the Nehalem info on Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehalem_%28microarchitecture%29#Variants) points to Dailytech (http://www.dailytech.com/Article.aspx?newsid=9823&red=y#217890) claiming that only the MP Beckton will get FB-DIMM support. I would be honestly surprised if Apple were to use more than 2 sockets in the Mac Pro (but am a bit taken back that they don't in the xServe).

Also note that if the prices listed are true, Apple is going to have to drop prices as other manufacturers will be able to offer quad core systems for a far cheaper price than Apple can. (Well I think....)

[ktlx]

Well the Nehalem info on Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehalem_%28microarchitecture%29#Variants) points to Dailytech (http://www.dailytech.com/Article.aspx?newsid=9823&red=y#217890) claiming that only the MP Beckton will get FB-DIMM support. I would be honestly surprised if Apple were to use more than 2 sockets in the Mac Pro (but am a bit taken back that they don't in the xServe).
Neither of those links dispute the Intel roadmaps I've seen for dual socket Nehalem processors. Dailytech simply says servers and workstations will use registered DDR3 and so will DDR3 FB-DIMMs. Wikipedia is even less specific and simply lists them as DDR3.

Of course it's entirely possible Intel finally realized the number of server users needing FB-DIMMs in first generation dual socket system is vanishingly small. With registered DDR3 it will be straightforward to put two memory slots on each channel, for a total of twelve. Using 4GB DIMMs, that's 48GB per system. I think it's rare for people to take dual socket systems above 16GB and I think this first generation will be replaced by Q1 2010, so Intel may have decided the market for people needing more than 48GB isn't worth the added upfront and operating expense of FB-DIMMs.

I'll also be curious to see how many notoriously conservative server buyers jump on the first generation. Intel may be banking on them holding back long enough for memory manufacturers to make 8GB and 16GB DIMMs mainstream data center parts.

[Rorikynn]

Hopefully Apple pulls its weight at Intel and receives the mobile versions of i7 early. Also, I don't think we will see case redesigns for MBP and MB until i7, as thats when they'll be working with new mobile boards anyway. Maybe an Aluminum MB this year.

Macbook Pro 15" 2.2 i7
4 GB DDR3 1066
1680 x 1050
ATI 46xx HD Mobility / Nvidia 260M
500GB HD / 120GB-200GB SSD
OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

^This would be extremely tasty in May-June 2009.

Especially if you can configure the base MBP with a reasonable SSD 160-200GB and not go over $2300.

[commander.data]

i7 == Nehalem. So whatever Nehalem is supposed to bring to the table (SSE5, SMT, DMI/QPI, etc) we should see in i7. I will admit I think the name is dumb as well. But there isn't anything dumb about the improvements it is supposed to bring to the table.
i7 is not Nehalem. Nehalem is the basically the name of the architecture. i7 doesn't even have to refer to a specific core. i7 is simply a marketing term that Intel said refers to high-end processors. Not even Extreme Edition since there will be a special grey Core i7 logo for "true" Extreme Editions while "regular" high-end processors will use a blue i7 logo. i7 will mostly refer to Bloomfield and high-end Lynnfield processors.

Intel has said that they will be introducing more marketing names to make things more clear (or less depending how you look at it). Most likely it'll something like:

Core i7 grey: $999+ Extreme Edition
Core i7 blue: $300 - $999 High-end processors
Core i5: $150-$300 Mainstream processors
Core i3: $0-$150 Low-end processors (replacing Celeron)

[CWallace]

No mainstream chips till 2009? ****, that sounds like it'll be 6 months away.

Intel is suffering some significant 45nm capacity constraints right now, as one of the fabs they expected to have up now (FAB28 in Israel) is now looking like it will not be up until 2009. And FAB11X will not be ready until early 2009 (per plan).

With AMD out-classed in desktop and mobile, Intel is not in a hurry to flood the market with i7's and the ones they can launch will be at a nice price premium for them:

3.20GHz i7 - $999
2.93GHz i7 - $593
2.66GHz i7 - $284

Compare that to the current Core 2 Duo equivalents (as of 7/20/08):

3.16GHz E8500 - $183
3.00GHz E8400 - $163
2.66GHz E8200 - $163

[rneglia]

What I want to see is an all-in-one MacMini. Say MacMini meets iMac meets MacBook Air. That would be KILLER!!!

I struggle to understand what you're talking about.

p.s. speaking of killer: http://www.myboombox.co.uk/images/harman-kardon-soundsticks-ii.jpg

[milo]

So with desktop chips shipping this year, what does that mean for the next Mac Pro update? Late this year a long shot, more likely January at the big mac event?

And I assume this will be a Mac Pro update worth waiting for, particularly since the current model hasn't been updated in such a long time?

No mainstream chips till 2009? ****, that sounds like it'll be 6 months away.

No mainstream *portable* chips until then. They are saying desktops in 2008. There should be an interim notebook update this fall like Apple always does after their back to school promotions are over.

[iMacmatician]

The next MacBook and MacBook Pro updates won't be earth shattering. People have been hoping for redesigns but I don't think we'll see them just yet. All the rumors point to a redesign.

It would be too risky for Apple because it wouldn't make sense to have redesigned systems released just prior to the holiday shopping season. It opens the door to potential problems, a design flaw, production issues, or something that couldn't have been anticipated.iMac G5. iMac aluminum. iPods. iBook G4 (?). 15" aluminum PowerBook G4.

Overall, I think the time to release redesigned systems is after the holidays at MacWorld 2009. With the 3G iPhone release out of the way and other than a Snow Leopard demo, what else do we have to look forward to in January?Mini-tablet. iLife '09 and iWork '09. New displays. Apple tv. iPhone / iPod touch firmware. Mac Pro. Something else we don't yet know about.

nehalem promises a secret power saving system. will that allow to change the design of noteboks toward MBA like designs?I think the power saving features are to save power when idle and at less than 100%. So TDPs don't change and cases don't change. The improvements are in battery life when not at load.

So with desktop chips shipping this year, what does that mean for the next Mac Pro update? Late this year a long shot, more likely January at the big mac event?Around January is my estimate. Unlikely to be at MWSF unless there's a redesign.

And I assume this will be a Mac Pro update worth waiting for, particularly since the current model hasn't been updated in such a long time?Nehalem's benefits would make it worth waiting for.

No mainstream *portable* chips until then. They are saying desktops in 2008.From what I know there won't be mainstream anything until Q3 2009.

[The Tall One]

So are the MacPros gonna get 'em?

[Firefly2002]

Core i7? That's so.... stupid.

I realize that this is the first major overhall to the Intel-based x86 architecture in a VERY long time-- not counting the Pentium 4, it's the first in like.... 10+ years... but still. Core 3 would have been okay.

Maybe they should call it the core Athlon... since they're stealing ideas from AMD :D

[milo]

Around January is my estimate. Unlikely to be at MWSF unless there's a redesign.

I'm confused by that. You think they'd release them in January, but separate from the big trade show in January? Why?

It seems like a major improvement from intel, and a major selling point for the MP, case redesign or not. Apple has showed machines at MWSF that were
new chips in existing cases.

From what I know there won't be mainstream anything until Q3 2009.

Again I'm confused. Didn't you just say the Mac Pro would likely get these chips in January? Or do you just not consider the MP to be a "mainstream" machine?


Overall, are these new chips intended to replace the xeons, the conroes (or whatever the latest version of intel's midpriced chip apple isn't using is called), or laptop chips? Or are they all just variants on the same thing? With these new chips will the xeon/conroe distinctions go away in favor of one line of chips with differences in clock speeds and number of cores? This whole thing is a bit confusing, if someone could clear it up or point to a source that does, that would be great.

[milo]

So are the MacPros gonna get 'em?

Since these seem to be intel's new high end chip, going up to 8 cores on one chip, it sure seems likely that it will happen sooner or later.

[diamond.g]

Neither of those links dispute the Intel roadmaps I've seen for dual socket Nehalem processors. Dailytech simply says servers and workstations will use registered DDR3 and so will DDR3 FB-DIMMs. Wikipedia is even less specific and simply lists them as DDR3.

Of course it's entirely possible Intel finally realized the number of server users needing FB-DIMMs in first generation dual socket system is vanishingly small. With registered DDR3 it will be straightforward to put two memory slots on each channel, for a total of twelve. Using 4GB DIMMs, that's 48GB per system. I think it's rare for people to take dual socket systems above 16GB and I think this first generation will be replaced by Q1 2010, so Intel may have decided the market for people needing more than 48GB isn't worth the added upfront and operating expense of FB-DIMMs.

I'll also be curious to see how many notoriously conservative server buyers jump on the first generation. Intel may be banking on them holding back long enough for memory manufacturers to make 8GB and 16GB DIMMs mainstream data center parts.
Interesting, do you happen to have links of the FB-DIMM roadmap. All I was able to find is stuff seemingly making it look like the DDR3 form of FB-DIMM not being pursued.

i7 is not Nehalem. Nehalem is the basically the name of the architecture. i7 doesn't even have to refer to a specific core. i7 is simply a marketing term that Intel said refers to high-end processors. Not even Extreme Edition since there will be a special grey Core i7 logo for "true" Extreme Editions while "regular" high-end processors will use a blue i7 logo. i7 will mostly refer to Bloomfield and high-end Lynnfield processors.

Intel has said that they will be introducing more marketing names to make things more clear (or less depending how you look at it). Most likely it'll something like:

Core i7 grey: $999+ Extreme Edition
Core i7 blue: $300 - $999 High-end processors
Core i5: $150-$300 Mainstream processors
Core i3: $0-$150 Low-end processors (replacing Celeron)

Interesting. I would have thought they were going to just go with Core i7 Solo/Duo/Quad/Octo (assuming they can do 8 cores on one die)

[CWallace]

So with desktop chips shipping this year, what does that mean for the next Mac Pro update? Late this year a long shot, more likely January at the big mac event?

The original plan was to launch Gainestown first, but it now looks to be Bloomfield will come first.

Still, I remain hopeful Gainestown will be out in time to put in the Mac Pro at Mac World 2009.


So are the MacPros gonna get 'em?

They will not get Bloomfield, but they will (almost assuredly) get Gainestown.

[jackfrost123]

one of the most moronic, dead uninspired names I 've come across. What a marketing department they must have....jesus....

ipod, iphone, ilife, itunes...i7...uggh makes on wanna puke...

[BullMooseFilms]

Also, I don't think we will see case redesigns for MBP and MB until i7, as thats when they'll be working with new mobile boards anyway.

The new "boards" are Montevina - out now in all other laptops...

[BullMooseFilms]

one of the most moronic, dead uninspired names I 've come across. What a marketing department they must have....jesus....

ipod, iphone, ilife, itunes...i7...uggh makes on wanna puke...

*I*ntel was calling things ixxx long before steverino was.

i286, i386, i486 etc. If anything Apple ripped off Intel.

[kabunaru]

They will not get Bloomfield, but they will (almost assuredly) get Gainestown.

Where do you guys get these names? :confused:

[BullMooseFilms]

Where do you guys get these names? :confused:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehalem_(microarchitecture)#Variants

:D

[jackfrost123]

*I*ntel was calling things ixxx long before steverino was.

i286, i386, i486 etc. If anything Apple ripped off Intel.


My point wasn't that intel ripped off apple, just that they followed their lead now that i-something is in fashion. I remeber the i386 days too, I am old enough, but that doesn't mean that because they did it then they are not following the current trend for it. Besides it's still a godawful name anyway you look at it...well maybe for an Austin Powers gadget i7 would be ok, but a processor...people where poking fun at amd and phenom but i7....:eek:

[CWallace]

Another possibility is since Intel uses numbers to differentiate their current Core product line, perhaps they will do the same with Nehalem.

They could call each processor model by a different numerical suffix with a the numbers behind it describing how fast it is in relation to it's peers.

So as a hypothetical example, a 2.66GHz Bloomfield would be an "i710" while a 2.93GHz Gainestown would be an "i820" (not to be confused with the old Pentium III RDRAM chipset of the same designation).

Or they could all have the same "i7" prefix followed by the second number describing the CPU family and the third number describing speed.

So as a hypothetical example, a 2.66GHz Bloomfield now becomes an "i712" and a 2.93GHz Gainestown becomes an "i723".

[iMacmatician]

I'm confused by that. You think they'd release them in January, but separate from the big trade show in January? Why?Apple hasn't released a Mac at MWSF or WWDC since at least 2003 that wasn't either a new Mac, a redesign, or a revamp (Intel transition).

In the last few years Apple has released products the week before MWSF and WWDC, as well as at the end of January.

Again I'm confused. Didn't you just say the Mac Pro would likely get these chips in January? Or do you just not consider the MP to be a "mainstream" machine?Mainstream is below the Extreme/performance segment Bloomfield is targeted at (although the lowest-end Bloomfield is upper mainstream).

Lynnfield (performance and mainstream desktop), Clarksfield (performance and mainstream mobile), Havendale (mainstream and value desktop), and Auburndale (mainstream and value desktop) are all slated for Q3 2009.

Overall, are these new chips intended to replace the xeons, the conroes (or whatever the latest version of intel's midpriced chip apple isn't using is called), or laptop chips? Or are they all just variants on the same thing? With these new chips will the xeon/conroe distinctions go away in favor of one line of chips with differences in clock speeds and number of cores? This whole thing is a bit confusing, if someone could clear it up or point to a source that does, that would be great.Nehalem has multiple variants detailed here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Nehalem_(microarchitecture)#Variants).

[milo]

Apple hasn't released a Mac at MWSF or WWDC since at least 2003 that wasn't either a new Mac, a redesign, or a revamp (Intel transition).

And a new chipset would be a revamp. I don't see why an announcement of a mac pro with these new chips would be unlikely at MWSF.

Mainstream is below the Extreme/performance segment Bloomfield is targeted at (although the lowest-end Bloomfield is upper mainstream).

Ah. I was just talking about the chips becoming widely available - with desktop chips this will be around the end of this year, not middle of next year.

Are you saying that the only chips shipping by the end of '08 would be ones that would only be appropriate for Mac Pro? If that's the case, Apple better look at their strategy, otherwise the iMacs will be lagging behind much cheaper desktop PCs for six months or more.

Nehalem has multiple variants detailed here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Nehalem_(microarchitecture)#Variants).

Thanks for the link.

[JoeG4]

Mac Pro i7? ..

[xyz001]

Intel = moronic naming schemes!

How come Intel NEVER continue existing naming schemes any more?

Imagine if they would actually call the next processor CORE 3.

Then everyone with CORE 2 would actually want to upgrade (and wait eagerly for CORE 4)

instead they invent a new name for each upgrade, so nobody knows for sure whats fastest anymore.....How about this one:

Intel Centrino 2 Core 2 duo 2 .26 GHz ?????

That's alot of 2's, What were they thinking....

[vixapphire]

if they called the next processor the Core 3, they'd have to name its midlife upgrade something asinine like "Core 3 Trio".

sounds too much like a Vegan diet targeted towards pilates instructors, not enough like a computer architecture.

Of course, "Core4 Quattro" might be cool; then again, it might also be confused with an Audi automobile.

[Eric S.]

After all that, I'm still unsure. But given that both laptops' designs are long in the tooth, and that mobile Nehalem is more than a year away, I'm leaning towards a major overhaul in at least the Macbook, and possibly the MBP, being seen in the next month.

I think you only have to look at the hint given in the recent conference call, which mentioned a product transition that would affect revenues in Q4 (i.e., by the end of September). I doubt that the product transition is an updated mini.

My Documents
Mobile ME
Ipod/Itunes/Iphone
YouTube

Consumers are narcissistic. Probably not going away soon

Apple's i-fever started with the iMac, which stood for internet.

Intel used the i-prefix for at least a decade before the i486 was succeeded by the Pentium. The reason given for that switch was that numerical names could not be trademarked, so it is interesting to see Intel revert back to one at this point.

[xyz001]

if they called the next processor the Core 3, they'd have to name its midlife upgrade something asinine like "Core 3 Trio".

sounds too much like a Vegan diet targeted towards pilates instructors, not enough like a computer architecture.

Of course, "Core4 Quattro" might be cool; then again, it might also be confused with an Audi automobile.

it would probably be CORE3 Quad and CORE4 Quad/Octo which doesn't sound too bad.

Core i7 is just lame.

it's the same with microsoft, they keep changing naming schemes:

windows 3.11 (version number)
windows 95 (year)
windows 98 (year)
windows NT (complete random letters, nobody knows the meaning of "NT" for sure)
windows 2000 (year, but built on the mysterious "NT" technology)
windows ME (overhyped word "millenium")
windows CE (huh?)
windows XP (overhyped word "experience" and trying to sound like OS X)
windows vista (just plain bad name)
windows 7 (version number AGAIN?)

[freiheit]

Would Core 3 have been too easy? Seriously.

Apparently, yeah. I read a quote somewhere else that "Solo, Duo and Quad" were dropped to simplify the naming. Forgive me, but when you drop parts of a product name which are actually descriptive in the name of simplicity, you lose both.

Just how many cores does a Core i7 have? How will one know if a (for instance) Core i7 750 (which might have 2 cores but a faster speed) is better than a Core i7 740 (which might have 4 cores but a slower speed)? With the right software, more cores at a slower speed will slaughter 2 faster cores, but now that the designation of how many cores a chip has will be removed, it's going to be more difficult (less simple) to judge one chip over another.

[iMacmatician]

And a new chipset would be a revamp. I don't see why an announcement of a mac pro with these new chips would be unlikely at MWSF.Santa Rosa was a new chipset, and Macs using it weren't released at an event.

Apple may announce the new Mac Pros at MWSF because Nehalem is a more significant upgrade that most other chipset changes.

Are you saying that the only chips shipping by the end of '08 would be ones that would only be appropriate for Mac Pro? If that's the case, Apple better look at their strategy, otherwise the iMacs will be lagging behind much cheaper desktop PCs for six months or more.Yes, given the current state of CPUs Apple uses. (There is also the high-end desktop CPUs to be released this year, but Apple doesn't have a Mac that uses desktop CPUs.)

This is one reason why I was in the Apple + PA Semi + Intel custom chipset to replace Montevina group. Because then they can release features beyond those of mainstream (Montevina) chipsets and CPUs.

[milo]

Apple may announce the new Mac Pros at MWSF because Nehalem is a more significant upgrade that most other chipset changes.

My point exactly.

And Apple really needs to look at using desktop chips for their desktops. I know, what a radical idea.

[Cloudsurfer]

it would probably be CORE3 Quad and CORE4 Quad/Octo which doesn't sound too bad.

Core i7 is just lame.

it's the same with microsoft, they keep changing naming schemes:

windows 3.11 (version number)
windows 95 (year)
windows 98 (year)
windows NT (complete random letters, nobody knows the meaning of "NT" for sure)
windows 2000 (year, but built on the mysterious "NT" technology)
windows ME (overhyped word "millenium")
windows CE (huh?)
windows XP (overhyped word "experience" and trying to sound like OS X)
windows vista (just plain bad name)
windows 7 (version number AGAIN?)

NT stands for New Technology. It was based on the New Technology File System (NTFS), hence the naming. Of course, it is now no longer anywhere near new technology.

[diamond.g]

My point exactly.

And Apple really needs to look at using desktop chips for their desktops. I know, what a radical idea.

They sorta can. As long as Intel is willing to customize desktop chips to fit in mobile packages. Otherwise the problem is one of heat. The desktop CPU's can run much hotter than the mobile ones. With Apple not liking noisy systems you would have a hard time cooling the rig when doing things that ramp up the CPU utilization.

[CWallace]

Intel comments on their new naming schema:

http://blogs.intel.com/technology/2008/08/getting_to_the_core_intels_new.php

[Eric S.]

Intel comments on their new naming schema:

http://blogs.intel.com/technology/2008/08/getting_to_the_core_intels_new.php

Right, that's basically what they've been saying since the announcement: "Just wait a while, it will make sense later."

[xyz001]

NT stands for New Technology. It was based on the New Technology File System (NTFS), hence the naming. Of course, it is now no longer anywhere near new technology.

according to the wikipedia entry there is no real explanation for the "NT" aside from various insider stories about its origin.

Only later was it for marketing purposes expanded to "New Techology" which was especially lame since windows 2000 was then

"built on New Technology Technology".....

:rolleyes:

[milo]

They sorta can. As long as Intel is willing to customize desktop chips to fit in mobile packages. Otherwise the problem is one of heat. The desktop CPU's can run much hotter than the mobile ones. With Apple not liking noisy systems you would have a hard time cooling the rig when doing things that ramp up the CPU utilization.

It's not apple not liking noisy systems as much as apple wanting systems in skinny, trendy boxes. Style over substance in the case of a desktop machine.

You can cool most desktop CPUs quietly without too much trouble, it just takes more space than cooling a laptop CPU. And even laptop CPUs can be pretty noisy when all the fans have to kick on.

[Rorikynn]

The new "boards" are Montevina - out now in all other laptops...
The Montevina platform is essentially Santa Rosa with a spec bump. In other words, nothing radical. The layout of the mother board probably won't change. So, no reason to redesign a case. I wouldn't be surprised if some of Apples portables skip Montevina all together.

Calpella on the other hand will be ditching FSB all together and will be pinned for Nehalem. A substantial board redesign. A good time to redesign and optimize for the new board layout and TDP requirements.

[BullMooseFilms]

The Montevina platform is essentially Santa Rosa with a spec bump. In other words, nothing radical. The layout of the mother board probably won't change. So, no reason to redesign a case. I wouldn't be surprised if some of Apples portables skip Montevina all together.

Calpella on the other hand will be ditching FSB all together and will be pinned for Nehalem. A substantial board redesign. A good time to redesign and optimize for the new board layout and TDP requirements.

The Montevina chipset offers smaller layouts, and therefore a savings of space to make a case redesign worthwhile at this point. This doesn't mean they won't further tweak with Calpella/Nehalem.

The notebook line will have new cases this month or next.

[Eric S.]

The Montevina chipset offers smaller layouts, and therefore a savings of space to make a case redesign worthwhile at this point.

I think that's only true of the Small Form Factor, which hasn't been released yet for Montevina, right?

[CWallace]

It is not Montevina, per se, that allows smaller form factors, but the new 22mm package Penryns that Montevina supports.

[Eric S.]

It is not Montevina, per se, that allows smaller form factors, but the new 22mm package Penryns that Montevina supports.

The Montevina SFF has not been released yet, although it's possible that Apple is waiting for that before announcing new MBs. But the SFF processors top out at 2.4GHz, so if they're used in MBs we won't see any speed increase in the new models. And they certainly wouldn't be used for the MBP.

Unless the MB is redesigned to be a lot more like the Air I wouldn't think it would use SFF. A case redesign is more likely for aesthetic reasons.

[iMacmatician]

The Montevina platform is essentially Santa Rosa with a spec bump. In other words, nothing radical. The layout of the mother board probably won't change. Chipset is 40% smaller.

Calpella on the other hand will be ditching FSB all together and will be pinned for Nehalem. A substantial board redesign. A good time to redesign and optimize for the new board layoutMost of the first Intel Macs used the same or similar case as their PowerPC predecessors… chipset/motherboard redesigns don't always mean case redesigns.

and TDP requirements.The TDPs of Nehalem is the same as the TDPs of Montevina. Montevina will have the option of a 25 W CPU instead of a 35 W CPU, lowering total TDP.

[iMacmatician]

Fudzilla gives some details on the Core i7 branding.

We had a pleasant meeting with a nice chap from Intel that told us the story of the Nehalem brand. As you should probably know by now, the Nehalem Bloomfield desktop CPU will end up branded as Core i7.

Intel explained that Core brand was very well accepted but at the same time, Intel had too many variables, such as Core 2, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme and so on. It was too confusing and therefore Intel simply decided to keep Core.

The letter i and number 7 are there mainly for phonetical reasons, Core i7 as a whole sounds and pronounces good. The small "i" doesn't actually stand for anything, explains Intel. Even the number 7 doesn't mean its the seventh generation processor, it is just a number.

This might give you an idea that future Nehalems might end up branded as Core i6, Core i5 and so on, but this is not something Intel wanted to talk about. Intel simply hopes that this will get things a bit more simpler than it was. So, now you know.Weird… :confused:

I'm even more interested in how this turns out. I'm also wondering if variants will have different names depending on core count as well as market segment.

[Eric S.]

Weird… :confused:

Indeed. The Core brand "too many variables," so they decided to invent another, meaningless one?

[mjteix]

Chipset is 40% smaller.

Most of the first Intel Macs used the same or similar case as their PowerPC predecessors… chipset/motherboard redesigns don't always mean case redesigns.

The TDPs of Nehalem is the same as the TDPs of Montevina. Montevina will have the option of a 25 W CPU instead of a 35 W CPU, lowering total TDP.

the regular Montevina chipset (PM45/GM45) is the same size as the Santa Rosa chipset:
MCH 34x34mm, ICH 31x31mm
Montevina's SSF chipset (GS45) is smaller than the regular ones (like the MBA one):
MCH 27x25mm, ICH 16x16mm

We don't now yet the exact TDP of mobile nehalems (the cpus), but it looks like, with the addition of the memory controller, it will be higher:
Penryn/Montevina 25W will become 35W under Nehalem
Penryn/Montevina 35W will become 45W under Nehalem
Penryn/Montevina 45W will become 55W under Nehalem

What will change is the TDP of the chipset, reduced to a single IO hub that may have a 10W TDP.

What is for sure, it's that the heat repartition will be different with Nehalem because of the more powerful cpus and the single IOH (instead of the current 3 chips design).

[diamond.g]

the regular Montevina chipset (PM45/GM45) is the same size as the Santa Rosa chipset:
MCH 34x34mm, ICH 31x31mm
Montevina's SSF chipset (GS45) is smaller than the regular ones (like the MBA one):
MCH 27x25mm, ICH 16x16mm

We don't now yet the exact TDP of mobile nehalems (the cpus), but it looks like, with the addition of the memory controller, it will be higher:
Penryn/Montevina 25W will become 35W under Nehalem
Penryn/Montevina 35W will become 45W under Nehalem
Penryn/Montevina 45W will become 55W under Nehalem

What will change is the TDP of the chipset, reduced to a single IO hub that may have a 10W TDP.

What is for sure, it's that the heat repartition will be different with Nehalem because of the more powerful cpus and the single IOH (instead of the current 3 chips design).

I also believe that the GPU is supposed to be integrated with the CPU for mobile Nehalem. That should be most of the heat production. The memory controller shouldn't produce 10W of heat...

[ezekielrage_99]

it would probably be CORE3 Quad and CORE4 Quad/Octo which doesn't sound too bad.

Core i7 is just lame.

it's the same with microsoft, they keep changing naming schemes:

windows 3.11 (version number)
windows 95 (year)
windows 98 (year)
windows NT (complete random letters, nobody knows the meaning of "NT" for sure)
windows 2000 (year, but built on the mysterious "NT" technology)
windows ME (overhyped word "millenium")
windows CE (huh?)
windows XP (overhyped word "experience" and trying to sound like OS X)
windows vista (just plain bad name)
windows 7 (version number AGAIN?)

Windows 7... Now I know why they got Seinfield to promote Microsoft ;)


But I really wonder what will happen in Australia with Intel calling it Core i7 because a broadcasting company in Australia owns this name :confused:

www.i7.com.au