Intel’s launches Core 2 Duo chips

Intel has officially launched its Core 2 Duo processors, a set of chips already being touted as the next generation of components putting further pressure of Advanced Micro Devices.

Among the chips announced by Intel are five processors designed for laptops and five desktop chips, including the high-end Core 2 Extreme processor for gamers.

Pricing for the desktop chips ranges from US$183 for the 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo E6300 to US$999 for the 2.93GHz Core 2 Extreme X6800. Pricing of the mobile chips was not available.

Andrew Mclean, Intel’s area sales manager, said Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme are based on Intel's Core microarchitecture, which replaces the NetBurst architecture used in the Pentium 4.

The same microarchitecture is used in Woodcrest, the latest version of the Xeon server processor announced last month.

Craig Quinn, product manager, ASI Solutions said the Core 2 Duo processor will enable the systems integrator to supply its customers with better desktop and mobile PCs.

“They will also be sleeker, smaller and more energy efficient, and spark increased demand for our offerings across the country," said Quinn.

Jeff Morris, senior product manager, Dell APJ said gamers, workstation professionals and business people will benefit from Intel Core 2 technologies.

“We're launching new systems with Core 2 processors aimed squarely workstation professionals. The new Dell Precision 390 workstation is ideal for engineers, developers and financial analysts,” he said.

"It will shortly be joined by a new Dimension 9200 desktop, designed for the multimedia needs of consumers and small businesses, and XPS 700 gaming desktop which will support Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors for the fastest high-end gaming performance, as well as Core 2-based notebooks and mobile workstations."

The local release of the Core 2 Duo was overshadowed by AMD’s announcement that it plans to buy ATI. According to Mclean, Intel has licensing agreements with ATI that need to be reviewed.

“At the moment it’s too early to tell about how this acquisition will impact Intel,” he said.