This week, Intel launched its new Core 2 Duo processor, amid much PR fanfare. The official kickoff started in Santa Clara, California, headquarters for the chip manufacturing giant. The new dual core chip processor, which has received rave reviews from hardware writers, may be the shot-in-the-arm that the PC industry has been looking for to turn around sluggish PC sales. Recent benchmark tests of the C2D have shown that it outperforms AMD,s X2 line of processor chips both in lower energy consumption and power.
Stephen Baker, of NPD said to CNET News, “"I am actually more optimistic that a strong launch and the great reviews we are seeing for Conroe (and Merom, the notebok version of the chip) are going to at least help offset consumers’ reluctance to purchase because of Vista. The real shame is that we couldn’t have had both those catalysts working together to help boost sales."
The new Core 2 Duo chips may be initially in short supply to consumers as the lion,s share of the first batch of chips will go to computer manufacturers such as Gateway and Dell. Todd Titera, senior manager at Gateway said, "The Core 2 Duo probably couldn’t have come at a better time. On top of the buzz that comes with a new chip, the performance delivered by the Core 2 Duo could also generate interest in high-end desktops that also deliver better margins for PC companies.”
Presently, heavy discounts have been enacted by AMD in its efforts to compete with the release of the new Core 2 Duo chips. The AMD 64 X2 line of dual core processors has dropped to approximately half their retail price compared to just a few weeks ago.
