> From: Rod <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Unless Intel have made it more attractive to Apple and other computer > manufacturers to sell machines with the Core 2 Duo rather than the > original.
This is the case - Intel has priced the Core 2 Duo chips only a few dollars more than the equivalent 32bit Core Duos which really appear to have been a stop-gap measure before the release of the 64bit Core 2 Duo chips. As a result, most of the MacBook's direct competitors from Dell etc have been Core 2 Duo for a while so Apple didn't really have a choice. I think Apple would be very keen to move all of their machines to the 64bit architecture so they can start taking advantage of all that 64bit goodness in Leopard. As such, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Mac Mini revved to the Core 2 Duo before the release of Leopard so that Apple can then boast that they are the first computer manufacturer to move their entire line to 64bit chips. :-) Although I am a bit surprised they have added the dual-layer DVD and 200GB HD option to the MacBook which will result in a lot more people going for the cheaper MacBook - I think there is a significant percentage of the market who are keen on the larger 15" or 17" screens and aluminium cases who also appreciate the Firewire 800 port as well as the dedicated video card and faster 8x DVD burner (in the 17" at least) etc. I for one find the 15" to be the perfect desktop-replacement while still being small enough to lug around. As Susan says, if Apple didn't have a good performer closer to the thin and light category, it would leave a fairly large hole. -Mart
