Intel renames new processors Core 2 Duo

Intel announced today that its future dual core processor offerings, codenamed Conroe (for desktops) and Merom (for laptops) will both be branded as “Core 2 Duo” in time for their launch in the third quarter of this year.

This marks a departure for the chip giant in amalgamating the naming convention of processors for desktops and laptops.

Intel's top performing chip for desktops will be called Core 2 Extreme. However its server chip, known as Woodcrest, will remain independent of this branding.

The Core 2 Duo is expected to provide desktop systems with the kind of energy efficient performance that Centrino powered laptops have long enjoyed. Such convergence of desktop and laptop technology will also aid developers, enabling them to write optimised software just once for a variety of computing platforms.

According to the Inquirer, Eric Kim, Intel's worldwide marketing manager, said that the Core 2s will be the "heart and soul" of computers bringing "magic" to digital lifestyles.

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