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Intel is set to announce a Core 2 quad-core processor that is optimized for all-in-one PCs, for instance the iMac, according to Taiwanese newspaper DigiTimes. The newspaper reported that Apple, along with Acer, Hewlett-Packard and Dell, have all committed to building computers with the processors, suggesting that iMacs will soon be quad-core equipped.
According to DigiTimes, the new processor family will come in the following versions: Core 2 Quad Q8200s (2.33GHz/4MB L2), Core 2 Quad Q9400s (2.66GHz/6MB L2), and Core 2 Quad Q9550s (2.83GHz/12MB L2). They will be priced at US$245, $320 and $369 respectively in thousand-unit quantities.
The optimizations in these processors will drop their power usage to 65 watts, down from 95W. That reduction in power consumption not only makes the processors more efficient, it will also reduce the amount of waste heat they produce, which is key to Apple in being able to offer the slim designs the company has focused on for the modern iMac product line.
DigiTimes is often a source of leaked information in the tech world, most of it coming from Taiwanese manufacturers. Unfortunately, the newspaper doesnit always get it right, so take this news with a grain of salt.
The processors will reportedly be available in mid-January, which means that if Apple is going to adopt them for its iMac product line, the company could announce something as soon as Macworld Conference & Expo.
The Mac Observeris advice for such unconfirmed reports has always been that a new Mac on your desktop is worth two on a rumor site (or on DigiTimes).