First Windows Core 2 Duo Laptops Released

[ckodonnell]

People Keep saying this...

And some of us are not just waiting to have the latest and greatest. Rather we're waiting to get specific feature sets. SSE4. Or a 64 bit chip. Or perhaps new GFX cards. For certain applications this matters. I'm personally anxious so I can start doing some optimization for SSE4 that were previously in Altivec. Sure I can do them on SSE3 (and I will), but perhaps SSE4 provides a distinct edge. I'm also interested in looking at what we can access on the 64 bit side right now and in the coming months. I need an OS X Intel machine, but we've already got one MBP. Getting a second identical to it wont be as useful as having this newer machine.

So while some folks are waiting like you say, "just cause." Some of us have a finite amount of money with specific needs related to new hardware.

Other folks are poo-poo-ing 64 bits over 32. While many people will not notice right away this difference, developers must know the difference, and are going to be experiencing it soon. It makes huge differences for GFX intensive applications. So again, it's about a feature set.

As soon as Apple releases the Core 2 Duo notebooks, Intel will announce the future release of a Core 3 Duo chip and people will start waiting for that. There's just no winning this game. Buy when you need. You can never stay ahead of the curve.

 

[danny_w]

As you just said, the average consumer doesn't care becuase this kind of stuff doesn't make the evening news. They're especially not going to care about announcements. They're not going to keep up like we do, or even casual computer afficionados do. They're just going to go out and buy a computer whenever they think they need one, and they're not going to pay attention to updates, processors, etc. When they want/need it, they're going to get it with very little research into much more than brand names.

OK, perhaps I used the wrong word. When I went to buy a new refridgerator lately (and I would consider myself an average consumer in this regard) and heard that Maytag had announced the first 3-door with water in the door, I went first to look at them instead of the others I had considered. In the same vein, if an "average consumer" hears that Dell has a new processor and Apple doesn't, they may well look at the Dells first.

 

[HecubusPro]

OK, perhaps I used the wrong word. When I went to buy a new refridgerator lately (and I would consider myself an average consumer in this regard) and heard that Maytag had announced the first 3-door with water in the door, I went first to look at them instead of the others I had considered. In the same vein, if an "average consumer" hears that Dell has a new processor and Apple doesn't, they may well look at the Dells first.

Not sure if that's an appropriate analogy.

Firstly, I don't keep up with refridgerators, but I'm an average consumer of refridgerators. I'm sure there are those who do keep up with new fridge tech just as there are people like us who keep up with macs and computers. I've never heard of a 3-door fridge, but if I was shopping for a new fridge, I'd probably notice it while at the store, then move on to something else.

Second, a 3-door fridge is quite noticable on a visual level. You see a 3-door fridge and you say, "Whaddya know? A 3-door fridge." Core 2 Duo's are not as noticeable since the processors are small chips inside of a generally non-descript computer case, that most likely looks like just about every other computer case out there. The only indicator might be a small sticker somewhere on the case that says Core 2 Duo that most likely means nothing to the average consumer.

Sure, the salesperson might try to explain it to them, but their eyes are probably going to glaze over with disinterest. All they want to know is if they can get on the internet and join myspace.

I'm simply saying that the average consumer is probably not going to know about a new processor. That doesn't interest them since they have very little knowledge of it because it's not something they care to research.

I'm speculating, but that's my perception.

 

[Erasmus]

I just don't get it.

Apple are going to hold out at least another week???

What sort of crazy person decided to do that?

Unless they're releasing tomorrow, just to piss us all off...

Maybe Apple can't handle the fast turnaround.

Maybe Apple has some awesome new products to be released on the 5th.

Maybe the new products have some serious flaws to be ironed out?

Or maybe Apple needs to give back its slice of hubris pie, and despite its uniqueness, acknowledge the fact it is still just another computer manufacturer floging off Intel, ATi and nVIDIA's products. Albeit with some really cool ideas, looks and new technologies.

 

[deevey]

Well my Macbook shipping times got delayed 20 days, ordered 25th and when I ordered it was expected within 5 days


Now ... shipping the 5th from China!... arrival 15th(ish)


Nice though .. I was offered a small "goodwill" gesture (in the cash form) due to the delay, apparently it was caused by the back to school rush ...hmmmm

*Hoping a memron is really the cause of the delay*

 

[HecubusPro]

Well my Macbook shipping times got delayed 20 days, ordered 25th and when I ordered it was expected within 5 days


Now ... shipping the 5th from China!... arrival 15th(ish)


Nice though .. I was offered a small "goodwill" gesture (in the cash form) due to the delay, apparently it was caused by the back to school rush ...hmmmm

*Hoping a memron is really the cause of the delay*

Merom could have something to do with it, but in all actuality, this is one of the busiest times of the year for notebook manufacturers. Back to school rivals Christmas for sales.

 

[milo]

You know and I know that preannouncing a release is no big deal, but the average consumer doesn't know that. I suspect that to the average consumer it can make a big difference in perception. And preannouncing would be nothing new to Apple; as I recall the MBP was announced long before it actually shipped.

I don't think the average consumer knows or cares that intel shipped a new chip. They're going to buy a computer when they need one and end up with whatever chip is shipping at the time. Anyone who's computer savvy enough to be aware of these announcements is also going to be savvy enough to realize that they were just preannouncements and until they ship, apple isn't lagging anyone.

You really think the general public is thinking "Oh my god! Apple hasn't announced merom boxes yet!"

Did they say that a couple weeks ago when woodcrest PC's started to show up? Or did they likely not notice until the Mac Pro was released and wowed them?

Apple are going to hold out at least another week???
What sort of crazy person decided to do that?
Unless they're releasing tomorrow, just to piss us all off...
Maybe Apple can't handle the fast turnaround.

Maybe a person crazy enough to realize that Dell and HP aren't shipping for TWO weeks, and that announcing before you're ready to ship doesn't gain you anything?

Fast turnaround? You mean like dell announcing machines, but not being able to ship them for a couple weeks. Yeh, THAT's fast. 🙄

 

[danny_w]

Fast turnaround? You mean like dell announcing machines, but not being able to ship them for a couple weeks. Yeh, THAT's fast. 🙄

Yeah, like Apple announcing the MBP and then not shipping for almost 2 months?

 

[HecubusPro]

Yeah, like Apple announcing the MBP and then not shipping for almost 2 months?

Perhaps they're trying to avoid that mistake now. Dell and HP have already announced their systems but everyone has to wait at least 2 weeks. It will be very nice when Apple announces their systems and says, "Our Macbook Pro's with Core2Duo are now available in our retail store and online."

I have a feeling that is what will happen. Either that, or a silent upgrade.

 

[dbit]

I've seen like a dozen of mac's new commercials all over the tv over the course of today. Is that normal saturation, or indicitive of an update?

Run tons of spots and then bank off the free media coverage?

It seems I'm seeing about twice as many as their first couple rounds of new commercials.

 

[HecubusPro]

I've seen like a dozen of mac's new commercials all over the tv over the course of today. Is that normal saturation, or indicitive of an update?

Run tons of spots and then bank off the free media coverage?

It seems I'm seeing about twice as many as their first couple rounds of new commercials.

I believe they're not necessarily raising awareness for updates to the general public (which is who the ads are designed for), but urging those same consumers to "go buy macs now because SHHHH! we're updating our inventory and we want to get clear out a bunch of stock." Those consumers will blindly go in, buy the computers, iPods, etc., and we'll be here on the 16th when the updates do hit, ready to purchase new C2D systems.

I'm not trying to disparage casual computer consumers, but from a certain perspective, those ads are for us hardcore enthusiasts who can't wait to get the latest updates.

 

[Multimedia]

Core 3 Doesn't Begin Until Late 2008

As soon as Apple releases the Core 2 Duo notebooks, Intel will announce the future release of a Core 3 Duo chip and people will start waiting for that. There's just no winning this game. Buy when you need. You can never stay ahead of the curve.

You must have forgotten to read the Intel Roadmap. Core 3 doesn't get started until late 2008. 🙄

 

[WildPalms]

ist of lots of new Merom laptops...
http://www.engadget.com/tag/core2duo
__________________
-as

New Conroe Mini-Tower/Home-Theatre-PC next Tuesday!

...its Tuesday. Where's the Home-Theater-PC?

 

[iBorg20181]

Apple is now on the same field as Dell and the others. They have to establish themselves. They can't juice us as they have in the past.

Sure they can wait two weeks to annouce. It better not be two months.

Well said! The announcement doesn't mattter, but the release is critical - as long as Apple starts selling C2D no later than Dell, et.al., all is well. If only Apple is delayed ..... well, that's just not going to happen!

 

[Chundles]

You must have forgotten to read the Intel Roadmap. Core 3 doesn't get started until late 2008. 🙄

Are we talking the 45nm shrink of Merom or proper quad-core chips?

What do you consider to be Core 3? Just asking cause I've got no idea.

 

[milo]

Yeah, like Apple announcing the MBP and then not shipping for almost 2 months?

Yep. Just like all the PC makers did in that exact same timeframe. Would you really prefer they do that again?

You must have forgotten to read the Intel Roadmap. Core 3 doesn't get started until late 2008. 🙄

True. But intel has ALREADY announced the Core 2 Quad. So while the details weren't right, the sentiment was dead on.

 

[AidenShaw]

...its Tuesday. Where's the Home-Theater-PC?

There's always a next Tuesday, even on Tuesday !

 

[Multimedia]

I Was Only Being Specific About The Core 3 Brand Name • Plenty Of Evolution In Core 2

Are we talking the 45nm shrink of Merom or proper quad-core chips?

What do you consider to be Core 3? Just asking cause I've got no idea.

I don't know anything about Core 3. But I know that label won't be used before latter 2008. What you are talking about is still part of the Core 2 era. Obviously there is continuing evolution within each era. I think we'll see a lot more faster changes in 2007 than we did this year. I think both of what you are mentioning will happen in 2007.

 

[Ktulu]

I wonder if some people read the guide I made at all. 😕

I just did.😀

I hate it when I write something for people who even ask for it, and they don't bother to read it or even look at it.🙄

 

[DavidLeblond]

Bah, this waiting thing is ticking me off.

I want to get an Intel iMac, but I'd prefer to wait for a faster chip. But today I find that I may be getting a project falling in my lap for a .NET desktop app. Which I'd need an Intel Mac w/ Parallels for (I use Windows at work, but can't really do my side job work at my main work because thats just wrong.)

I don't want to jump the gun just for this little project either.

 

[axboi87]

Apple's Downfall

Whatever happened to macs being twice as fast as the best pc's. Whatever happened to Apple Commercials apologizing for smoking the pentium with the powerpc. Apple's only selling point now is casing and the operating system, and now they can't even keep up with the latest stuff everyone else has. Sadness...

 

[dbit]

I agree that Apple will go down if they don't keep up. Maybe they'll become a novelty cell phone/ipod manufacturer.

But seriously, I will stay with them for OSX. For how long? That might just be determined by how fast Windoze cleans up their software, and that could take a while, but it might be an eventuality.

Honestly Apple, I want to stay loyal. I pay a premium for your machines and software. PLEASE adjust to the industry standard timelines that your new agreement with Intel has brought about.

PS, it's late, I'm grumpy, and I know Apple could release Merom machines two days before everyone else ships and ship at the same time with the competition. But these announcement games just don't make sense anymore. People have to plan for things in fast paced modern times. Steve is at the heart of the company. Lets hope his ego doesn't start getting in the way. If "Think Different" starts meaning "play with your consumers in order to flaunt your ego to your competitors" it's really doing nobody any good.

 

[anim8or]

just something that grinds on me a little...

After keeping up with the buzz oround the new C2D chips, as i am waiting to purchase a new MBP, it has come to my attention that there are lots of students wishing to purchase a MacBook Pro over a MacBook....

...now this is what is grinding on me!

I really dont see why your average student, who will most likely use the laptop for writing essays, surfing the internet, listening to music and using iLife apps, needs the power of a MacBook Pro, even for gaming it seems like overkill!

A Macbook should suffice in those stakes, and the games on mac are not brilliant i would never say i was a macgamer only a gamer who uses his mac for games. With the money saved from buying a MacBook, then said gamer could buy a PS2 or XBOX, etc!

Stop wasting our money on the Pro model just because you think you need it!

I say this because we all know how the new C2D Pros will be like gold dust and would it not grind on you if you have to wait til the second batch are shipping to get one, knowing that some rich teenager has got one cos he 'needs' it.

Just needed to get that off my chest!

 

[knucles]

i am 19 i i will buy a mpb

yep man; you could be right but i am 19; i am not rich and i will buy a mbp, why?

because i need renders for architecture
because mbp is a LOT MORE time proof than mb just because of graphics(950 is a joke)
because apple DON'T HAVE A 15' macbook( which is ridiculous) because every pc companies offer 15' laptop at 800$, why apple doesn't have one at least 1500$??????????????'' its insane, they want to make the difference between mbp and mb so noticible that they kill their line products.......


same thing between the gap mac pro-mac mini.

MAC PRO-almost pc's-MAC MINI


imagine:macbook white 15'
intelcore duo 1.83ghz
1 slot 512mb ram
80 gb hdd
7300 go

price 1500$ -----------WHY NOT?????????that's the perfect mac for me and don't exist---i can't have a computer with no gpu; and i can't afford( without a lot a effort in my day life) a macbook pro. apple have a whole in their line

 

[sonstone]

I don't think the average consumer knows or cares that intel shipped a new chip. They're going to buy a computer when they need one and end up with whatever chip is shipping at the time. Anyone who's computer savvy enough to be aware of these announcements is also going to be savvy enough to realize that they were just preannouncements and until they ship, apple isn't lagging anyone.

I'm less concerned about actual ship dates as I am about pricing. New chips usually means the older ones get cheaper. I don't want to buy a machine now only to find out that there is a price cut in 2 weeks.