Intel Merom Core 2 Duo will hit Distributors shelves on August 28th.

The latest update directly from Intel is that the Merom Core 2 Duo processors will be on the Intel US Distributor's shelves on Monday August 28th.

If this holds true, and giving time for building, testing and a 48-72 hour burn in time we should begin shipping our Intel 945 chipset based laptops with the new Merom processors by September 1st.

While the launch date is July 27th, there is a shipping embargo until August 28th for the T5600, T7200, T7400 and T7600. The T5500 will be embargoed for an additional 2-3 weeks and will (should) arrive on the US Distributor's shelves in late September.

 

Interesting...

So will you just be adding the Meroms to your current line of notebooks? If, so how much more expensive will they be?

 

As I said in my original post: "If this holds true, and giving time for building, testing and a 48-72 hour burn in time we should begin shipping our Intel 945 chipset based laptops with the new Merom processors by September 1st."

The pricing for the Core 2 Duo processors will be the same as the Core Duo processors, with the addition of the T7600 at 2.33GHz which will be at the top price level which is about $235-250 above the T2600 and T7400 at 2.16GHz.

 

The supply will be constrained until the end of the Quarter (September). All US Distributors will only get a small allocation on August 28th.

 

Well that sucks. I'll just make use of my Yonah for a few months

 

Ooh nice. Almost makes me want to wait....almost

 

Don't forget, if you get a Yonah 32-bit Core Duo processor now you will be able to upgrade to the Merom 64-bit Core 2 Duo processor in about a year when the prices will be lower, and Vista will be not only released but more mature (with at least Service Pack 1 released), and 64-bit drivers and software will be available.

 

Yep thats what I'm pretty much planning on. End of next summer. Need my TV tuner and extra gig of ram first

 

Hey Donald, I was talking with Ron earlier today and he said the same thing about the Core 2, and he assured me that I shouldn't be worried about getting the Duo now. And I'm not. Some of my friends said it would be out sooner, but that's obviously false. I'll probably be buying one of those HGL30s from you pretty soon

The only major concern that I brought to Ron was that I didn't want to void my warranty by putting in the chip myself.

Will there be more heat concerns with the Core 2 than the Duo?

 

Thanks for the update. I would be interesting in EGL30 with a merom in it.

 

Hey Donald I'm considering purchasing your PowerPro L 8:15 Ultra and I was wondering: How much would upgrading to Merom cost (lets say for 2.0 ghz)? I'm off to school on Sept. 8th and I need a computer by then, and I want to be able to try the computer for a bit beforehand, so purchasing the notebook with the Merom processor is pretty much out of the question.

 

Howdy, I'm new here but been following the HGL30 thread. I *really* want the PowerPro version but I'm holding out for the Merom so this is great news! Just sold my Emachines M6805 on ebay to get ready for this. Gonna miss the 6805 though, you really could not beat that machine 2-3 years ago.

 

Question, since I've got the mother of all itchy trigger fingers, does anybody think its worth it to buy a Yonah 2.0GHz chip now, wait a year and a half, have it upgraded to a Merom 2.0GHz chip (or better) when abouts Vista will hopefully be stable (or just give Vista a pass altogether). I'm burning about $1800 on this and now I'm trying to force my brain not to buy a 2.16GHz chip now.

edit: I also want to buy before school otherwise shipping becomes a problem for me and I do want it before school anyhow... that's the reason I don't want to wait for Merom. Coming in just on the wrong side of the release date

 

Upgrading your processor does not void your warranty, however:

1. If you break anything while doing it, that will not be covered by warranty.
2. If you install it, you will have to look to the vendor where you bought it in the event it fails.
3. If you need to send your computer in to us for a motherboard level repair, and it turns out to be the processor that has either failed or caused the motherboard failure, you would have to pay for the shipping both ways (instead of using your free Next Business Day shipping both ways with the PowerPro, or the "Match" shipping with the Crown), and pay an $89 diagnosis fee. We would then send it back to you unrepaired, or you would have to pay for the necessary repair.

The better solution might be to buy the Merom processor from us (at competitive retail pricing in effect at the time) and send it in to us to do the installation. This way your warranty stays intact, and will also cover the new processor. We will then return the laptop to you along with the Yonah Core Duo processor that we take out. You would pay the shipping both ways.

Additional heat should not be a concern with the Merom Core 2 Duo processors.

 

The Merom processors will start out at the same pricing levels as the Yonah processors. A 2.0GHz Merom will be the same as a 2.0GHz Yonah.

Of course over time the pricing will drop, so if you are looking to get the 2.0GHz Merom in about a year, it will either be less, or it will have been replaced by a faster version.

Don't forget, if you get a Yonah 32-bit Core Duo processor now you will be able to upgrade to the Merom 64-bit Core 2 Duo processor in about a year when the prices will be lower, and Vista will be not only released but more mature (with at least Service Pack 1 released), and 64 bit drivers and software will be available.

 

See my post immediately above.

I say pull the trigger...since it is only sensible to wait until Vista is out and mature so that you can actually get the advantage of 64-bit computing, there is no real reason to wait now when you have other deadlines to consider. There are other posts around in the Compal section here that show that there is virtually no difference in performance using the Merom with 32-bit OS and 32-bit software.

 

That's really cool of you to offer this service. Now I know where to turn when the upgrade bug bites.

 

Do you have any idea what the plans for the Core Duo line are? Mainly, how soon after August 28th will the prices drop? I'm just wondering if this might be the ideal time to buy a Core duo laptop, with the possibility of upgrading to napa platform merom just before that line dies to extend the life of a machine bought next month...

 

The Core Duo will fade as the supply is exhausted.

Everyone always assumes that the prices will drop for the old processor when the new processor comes out, but Intel doesn't work that way.

At the time the Merom starts shipping the price for the Core Duo and the Core 2 Duo will be exactly the same. I think I explained that in post #3 and #15 above.

 

Here's information regarding how the Core 2 Duo and the Core Duo will coexist:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3061
First story.

 

Well, I just can't help noticing that the Pentium M is still around, and cheap.
Also look what Intel's just done to its desktop processors:

The Register: Intel intros Core 2 Duo, slashes Pentium prices

 

I was reading on Digitimes today that Intel officially released pricing on the Conroe but not the Merom

 

Have you read this article Justin?
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=276

 

Just reading it now for the first time, thanks for the info. Nice benchs they provide there on the merom vs. yonah.

 

Here's the pricing:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3058
I suppose it is not 'official', but it works nonetheless.

 

I would suggest to those of you who already own a Core Duo laptop, or need one before Merom will be widely available (probably after early September as Paladin stated that initial shipments will be small) should just go ahead and enjoy the performance that Yonah affords. Upgrading right away will be an expensive proposition considering the relatively small performance gains.

But for those of you who are in no rush may want to wait a couple of months and see if the laptop you are eyeing will be available with Merom. Most Core Duo systems available today will be equipped with Merom in that time.

There are a lot of changes on the horizon, and chasing every one as they come out is an expensive hobby. Vista, Santa Rosa, and DX10 will be coming out sometime next year (not that all of them will be available upgrades on existing systems, of course).

I say enjoy the life of your laptop without worrying about having the best technology available. Then, when you're getting a little outdated, get a whole new system with the money you would have otherwise spent on upgrades.

Just my $.02

 

While Merom is a big general deal... my biggest problem right now is worrying I'm going to get on the wrong side of a price drop. I know it'll happen late next month or the month after... but what I don't want to happen is to order, say, tomorrow, and find out the prices have fallen on Monday. I wouldn't worry this much though if it weren't for the earlier articles from June about a 15% Core Duo drop around now.

 

The Core Duo drop is for the desktop Conroe version, not the laptop Yonah version. You will not see another price drop for the Yonah for quite some time to come.

 

that clarifies things... so (just to be sure) its a price drop on the originally released (pre-June) price for the Conroe?

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

Indeed. Especially the real-life benchmarks are interesting. Merom provides little or no improvement as far as recent gaming is concerned, while Conroe does, albeit not impressively so. The power consumption data is also slightly alarming, though more time (and different benching platforms) are needed to ascertain Merom's true capabilities in that regard.

If one is undecided between Yonah and Merom right now, one should wait until more real-life benchmarks are released. I'm especially interested in file compression, OS startup, 3D rendering, and fps in last-generation games such as HL2, BF2, and Far Cry.

I'm pretty much sold on Yonah anyway, with a possible upgrade to Merom in mid-2007 (thank you, Donald and others, for your insights on this issue )... but for those who still need a tie-breaker, new and improved real-life benches might be it.

C.

 

I'm more interested in the various video/audio encoding apps and teh difference between Yonah and Merom in that respect.

 

Just checking if this is still a go since Aug. 28th is tomorrow.

You resellers that monitor this thread have any recent insite or input on this?

Will you be receiving Merom this week?

 

I see some resellers already have the Merom listed. Like gear2play.com and 1toppc.com.

 

plslisn,

I think it would be safe to assume the first shipments sold out long ago. There is probably still at least a chance to get in on the second shipment or a subsequent one once the supply increases in late September/early October.

 

Thanks for the information Donald. I will be buying the HGL30 tomorrow with a 2.0Ghz Yonah and I guess later I will upgrade. I will send it back to you guys to do the upgrade for me

 

So what is it that is suppose to hit Distributor shelves on the 28th?

 

The first shipment of Merom which is said to be very small. But by all means give the resellers a call to see if any are available. I'm sure they're all taking orders, but the trick will be to find one that will deliver it early September. My bets would be on them having been sold out a long time ago.

 

You just trashed all my dreams.

Well if anyone sees a reseller or distrbutor selling the HEL80 with the T7200 please let me know. I've only seen the Z96j being sold with it.

 

Intel has "embargoed" advertising the Merom until the 28th. No one was supposed to advertise them until then.

Of course some have broken the rule...no big deal.

No on will know exactly what they are going to get until tomorrow some time, and yes, what few come in will be sold almost instantly. Then, according to the latest from Intel, we won't see anymore until the first of October.

 

So then do I understand that tomorrow you will advertise it and if I call first thing in the morning to make my order I just might get one?

 

The T7200 is up on our website now. You can place your order now.

Call me in the morning to get the Special Promotion, and lock down your place in line.

And, know that we have had a very large PO in to our Intel distributor for weeks...we are first in line because we go there with a PO before anyone else did

We are hopeful that we will get several...but won't know for sure until tomorrow.

 

Sorry I can't find where you put it up, is it under Crown or PowerPro or somewhere else?

 

Nevermind I found it. Thanks!

 

We just received the Merom release update from Intel:

"The 2MB Merom processors (T5600 1.83GHz) are due in small quantities the first week in September for both tray as well as box although tray will be more readily available with better volumes on both near the end of the month. The 4MB Merom processors (T7200, T7400 and T7600) don't start to ship until the first week of October in both tray and box with the same situation as the 2MB version."

This means the information we received from Intel just two weeks ago is not accurate.

 

This is typical of Intel, most distribs get a very minimal quantity of CPUs while the larger mass goes to the big guys then in a couple weeks intel will fill the white box channel. Not your guys fault Pally just intel doing what they do best