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Intel has introduced its Core 2 Duo processors (code name merom) for laptops, now the question arises whether Core Duo (code name yonah) laptop customers should consider upgrading their laptops?

Difference between Merom core (Core 2 Duo) and Yonah core (Core Duo)

Compared to Intel Core Duo (Yonah), Intel Core 2 Duo (Merom) has larger L2 cache, slightly deeper pipeline and added decode and execution units. In addition, Merom features more aggressive pre-fetch mechanisms than Yonah, as well as Intel’s Memory Disambiguation technology that allows for out-of-order loads. In other words, not only is Merom able to process more data at once, at a faster speed, but it can also get access to that data quicker.

Source: Xbit Labs

[eminimall products="intel"]

According to Anandtech

Overall, Merom may not be as big of an upgrade to Yonah as Conroe was to NetBurst, but the bottom line is that you get equal or better performance in every test without increasing cost or decreasing battery life. Owners of Core Duo laptops really have no reason to worry about upgrading for now, and waiting for the Santa Rosa platform before your next laptop upgrade seems reasonable. Those looking to purchase a new notebook on the other hand have no reason to avoid Core 2 Duo models, assuming pricing is consistent with what Intel is promising. There will be a delay of at least a few more weeks as we await availability, and testing and validation by laptop manufacturers may delay things a bit more, but within the next month or so you should be able to get a Core 2 laptop.

My father recently asked my opinion for buying a laptop (Core Duo) , but going by Anandtech’s review I advised him to wait until Intel offers it’s Santa Rosa based platform.

What is Santa Rosa Platform?
Santa Rosa is the fourth generation Centrino platform expected to be launched in April 2007.
Expected Specifications of Santa Rosa.

• Intel Core 2 processor (code named Merom) with an 800 MT/s front side bus that uses Socket P.
• An Intel Mobile 965 Express chipset (code named Crestline), offered with Intel’s fourth-generation graphics technology.
• An Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n mini-PCIe WiFi adapter (code named Kedron)

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