Official Merom (Core 2 Duo) Launch on Monday?

[MacRumors]

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

eWeek reported that PC manufacturers are expected to announce availability of new Core 2 Duo (Merom) notebooks on Monday August 28th.

The Core 2 Duo for notebooks, otherwise known by the code name "Merom," offers buyers a performance upgrade—an increase of about 20 percent, according to Intel—but holds power consumption to nearly the same level as its predecessor, the Core Duo.

According to Intel, the Core 2 Duo processors fit into existing notebook systems with only a system software update required to work. The new chips are to range from 1.66GHz to 2.33GHz. Apple is expected to join in with Core 2 Duo based Macs as early as September, according to early reports.

The next major upgrade to Intel's notebook design isn't expected until early 2007 with a new notebook platform named "Santa Rosa". Santa Rosa will combine the Core 2 Duo processors with new supporting chips as well as Intel's AMT (Active Management Technology) and Robson technology. Robson uses flash memory to improve startup times and to cache frequently used applications. Previous rumors have placed Robson technology in future Mac notebooks.

[daneoni]

PowerBook G5 next tuesday?

[boogieman]

Originally Posted by daneoni

PowerBook G5 next tuesday?

Im guessing hopefully by the years end for the G5....

[daneoni]

I dont see much change really, the 1.66GHz merom chip will find its way into the mini (they'll scrap the solo model).

The 1.83 & 2.00GHz for iMacs (if they use merom) and MacBooks and the 2.16 and 2.33 for the 15 & 17 MBPs respectively. Its that simple.

[freakonguitar]

well...then maybe we will see a new macbook pro and possibly some other things in the next few weeks to come. but from some of the rumors, mermon has worse battery life and more heat than yonah ....which is too bad, cause we could use a cpu that gives at least just as good performance but less heat!

[512ke]

If the power consumption is the same... does that mean that the Merom and the current chips suck the same amount energy while going full throttle?

If the above is true, if you turned down the Merom to match the speed of the current chips, wouldn't the Merom be drawing 20% less power?

In other words if the Merom and the current chip were both going 60 mph down the freeway, would the Merom be drawing less power?

Am I missing something here (such as the basics of electricity, the basic way that chips work, etc.)?

512ke

[BlizzardBomb]

Originally Posted by daneoni

PowerBook G5 next tuesday?

Mildly funny when it first started, but my god is that an old joke.

In other news, Merom this, Merom that, just make sure you get it out on time Apple

[StealthRider]

Old, but still funny. A little

[bluetorch18]

Merom MBP on Tuesday? I sure hope so.

[Warbrain]

Originally Posted by boogieman

Im guessing hopefully by the years end for the G5....

I was told it would be released before Christmas. I can't wait!

[DavidLeblond]

Originally Posted by daneoni

The 1.83 & 2.00GHz for iMacs (if they use merom) and MacBooks and the 2.16 and 2.33 for the 15 & 17 MBPs respectively. Its that simple.

That doesn't make sense, marketing wise. If they do anything to the MacBooks and iMacs they would at least bump their speeds. It doesn't matter f the 2GHz Merom chip is faster than the 2GHz Yonah chip, the consumers don't give a crap about the chip... they want to see "them GHz numbers" go up.

[daneoni]

To be honest i dont really care anymore. As it is, im leaning away from Apple portables and moving to their desktops. Maybe just maybe if the 15" MBP sports a 16x DL superdrive, Magnetic latch Firewire 800 and maybe an extra USB port i may consider. But to be honest the MacPro is looking like a better candidate for me. My PB is fine my mobile computing needs, its time for a powerful workhorse thats more stable and reliable, namely, the MacPro

[Jon'sLightBulbs]

You're screwing up, intel. We don't want 300 trillion transistors on a 1 nm die. We want longer battery life. Idiots.

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by daneoni

I dont see much change really, the 1.66GHz merom chip will find its way into the mini (they'll scrap the solo model).

The 1.83 & 2.00GHz for iMacs (if they use merom) and MacBooks and the 2.16 and 2.33 for the 15 & 17 MBPs respectively. Its that simple.

Only problem with that is that a 2.33 GHz Merom chip will be fifty percent more expensive than a 2.16 GHz Yonah is today. So do you think Apple will increase prices of the MacBook Pro by $150 to $200 or reduce their profit?

[After G]

Originally Posted by 512ke

If the power consumption is the same... does that mean that the Merom and the current chips suck the same amount energy while going full throttle?

If the above is true, if you turned down the Merom to match the speed of the current chips, wouldn't the Merom be drawing 20% less power?

In other words if the Merom and the current chip were both going 60 mph down the freeway, would the Merom be drawing less power?

Am I missing something here (such as the basics of electricity, the basic way that chips work, etc.)?

512ke

They'd draw the same power, but the Merom would be done faster at the same clock rate. So you use less power by taking less time to do your work. That and better power saving modes.

[DJMastaWes]

So, if Merom is out the 28th and possiblity of Merom MBPs comeing out the 29th? or sometime BEFORE September.

[Ace25]

I am now pretty sure that new MacBooks are being released in the next few days.
I ordered one on the 17th of august and it was scheduled to ship on the 24th of august. Then for some reason it was bumped to a new ship date of august 31st, just enough time to drop a new merom processor in it!

[toughboy]

Originally Posted by 512ke

If the power consumption is the same... does that mean that the Merom and the current chips suck the same amount energy while going full throttle?

If the above is true, if you turned down the Merom to match the speed of the current chips, wouldn't the Merom be drawing 20% less power?

In other words if the Merom and the current chip were both going 60 mph down the freeway, would the Merom be drawing less power?

Am I missing something here (such as the basics of electricity, the basic way that chips work, etc.)?

512ke

Maybe its just efficiency... As days past and R&D continues to evolve, chips will be more efficient and they'll produce more power for less energy..

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

That doesn't make sense, marketing wise. If they do anything to the MacBooks and iMacs they would at least bump their speeds. It doesn't matter f the 2GHz Merom chip is faster than the 2GHz Yonah chip, the consumers don't give a crap about the chip... they want to see "them GHz numbers" go up.

We are talking here about Macintosh buyers, not about idiots.

Just sell Merom as "64 bit", that's twice as much as "32 bit".

[daneoni]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

That doesn't make sense, marketing wise. If they do anything to the MacBooks and iMacs they would at least bump their speeds. It doesn't matter f the 2GHz Merom chip is faster than the 2GHz Yonah chip, the consumers don't give a crap about the chip... they want to see "them GHz numbers" go up.

Well unless they use Conroe in iMac thats how it will be. They'll just tell you the new machines are using intel's new Core 2 Duo (64 bit computing) chips. Apple WILL differentiate their pro laptops so the 2.16 & 2.33 GHz combo is a given. Maybe, just maybe, they might bump the mini to 1.83 and 1.66 on its low end. The imacs will use 1.83 & 2.00 there is just no other option apparent to me because the 17" & 20" will also be differentiated. The macbooks may become 2.00GHz only across the board but even that route is questionable.

[prady16]

Yippee.....
Definitely buying a MBP asap.....not gonna wait for santa rosa!

[Clydefrog]

same here! I just hope Sept 5th or sooner

[phairphan]

Originally Posted by gnasher729

Only problem with that is that a 2.33 GHz Merom chip will be fifty percent more expensive than a 2.16 GHz Yonah is today. So do you think Apple will increase prices of the MacBook Pro by $150 to $200 or reduce their profit?

I believe the 2.33 GHz Merom chip debuted at the same price as the 2.16 GHz Yonah when it was released. The prices of MBPs certainly haven't fallen. Apple has just been enjoying the extra profits from Intel's price drops of the past few months.

[viccles]

I'll believe it when I see it. Merom rumours have been flying for a long long time now. Not that it really concerns me anyway. Just hope its what you guys are anticipating

[HecubusPro]

Originally Posted by Clydefrog

same here! I just hope Sept 5th or sooner

I would hope within the first few weeks of September at least. I shipments Apple was supposed to receive from overseas will reportedly hit on the 5th of September. After that, it would seem that all Apple has to do is ship products to the resellers and their online warehouses and begin selling them. I'm thinking the merom MBP's will start shipping to coincide with the Paris Expo next month though.

Still, it's getting close. I went ahead and dropped some cash on my first .mac account/software. I just can't wait to start using it on my new merom MPB 2.33ghz 17".