Intel hypes Core 2 Duo for Web 2.0

Intel has officially launched its new microprocessors based on the Core Duo micro architecture.

The chipmaker unveiled five new processors for laptop computers and another five for desktop systems, all offering dual-core 64-bit technology.

They are based on the low power Core micro architecture originally developed for the Centrino mobile processors.

Systems with the high end Core 2 Extreme chip are available today. Systems powered by Core 2 Duo processors are slated for release in August.

During a launch event at the company's corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley, representatives touted the new processor as the technology that will enable new applications and assist in bringing the next 500 million people onto the Internet.

Intel's newly appointed marketing and sales chief, Sean Maloney, pointed to high definition user-generated video content and an increasing level of mobility.

"The last collection of people on the internet were used to a flatter internet structure," he said.

"The internet was taken as it is. The next 500 million is looking for a much more immersive experience. Those are the targets that the micro processor has to hit."

However, Rob Enderle, a principal analyst with the Enderle Group, countered that new internet users are more likely to be driven by low priced systems.

"The second half billion internet users is going to be driven by low prices and ease of use. We won't get there until Windows Vista ships," Enderle told vnunet.com.

The introduction of the Core 2 Duo chips will cause a price drop in previous generation processors which will result in a price drop for low end systems, Enderle predicted.

Intel boasted at the launch event that the Core 2 Duo architecture is the company's biggest launch since the introduction of the Pentium processor in 1993.

Chief executive Paul Otellini also promised that the chip will ramp up much faster than any of its previous processors.

Computer manufacturers have already committed to 550 new systems powered by the chip.

"This is the largest number of design wins that we've ever had for a new product in our history," Otellini said at the launch event.

• A video from the Core Duo launch event is available on the Silicon Valley Sleuth blog.

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