Intel Core2 Duo Processor Unified Brand Name for Upcoming PC, Laptop Processors
New Brand, Common Microarchitecture Will Make it Easier for Computer Buyers to Choose a Great Computer; Developers to
Design Software
The Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is the new brand for Intel Corporation’s upcoming powerful and more energy-efficient
processor families for desktop and laptop computers that will arrive in the third quarter, the company announced today.
Formerly codenamed Conroe and Merom, the Intel Core2 Duo processors for desktop and notebook PCs respectively are based
on the newly designed Intel Core microarchitecture and will include two processing cores ─ or brains ─ per chip, hence
the ‘Duo’ addition. Intel will also call its highest performing processor for enthusiasts and gamers the Intel Core2
Extreme processor.
These ground-breaking processors will be built on Intel’s advanced 65-nanometre design and manufacturing process
technology that shrinks a processor’s circuitry and transistors. This combination will deliver higher-performing, yet
more energy-efficient processors that will spur more capable, stylish, silent and smaller mobile and desktop PCs while
saving on electricity usage.
“With this unified PC and notebook brand and microarchitecture, everyone will have a simple way to choose the most
powerful and energy-efficient processors in the world, and developers will be able to more easily write optimised
software just once for a variety of computing segments,” said Eric Kim, Intel senior vice president and chief marketing
officer. “We want these processors to be the heart and soul of computers that are increasingly bringing magic to our
digital lifestyles.”
Having a common microarchitecture for the consumer, gaming, notebook and business desktop market segments makes it
easier for computer developers to create more efficient software applications and can share capabilities across all
categories if necessary.
The dual-core processors will include the industry’s largest integrated cache or memory reservoir called Intel Advanced
Smart Cache that includes a unique design for faster performance on memory intensive applications. The products will
also support such features as enhanced security, virtualisation and manageability built right into the processors.
Consumers and businesses will also be able to purchase these processors as part of Intel’s market-focused platforms, a
collection of Intel hardware and software technology innovation designed and tested together and tailored to specific
computing needs. Intel offers wireless computing, in-home entertainment or business productivity platforms through the
company’s Intel Centrino® Duo mobile technology, Intel Viiv™ technology and Intel vPro™ technology brands respectively,
all of which are powered by versions of these new processors.
Starting with these new brands, the ‘2’ will signal the arrival of a new generation of technology to the Intel Core
processor line. In order to be consistent with current Intel Core processor naming, Intel will continue to use such
terms as ‘Duo’ to creatively and effectively indicate the number of processing cores per product.
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance
how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Centrino, Intel Viiv, Intel vPro, Intel Xeon and Intel Core are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
ENDS