Intel yesterday announced their new Core 2 Duo mobile processor (a.k.a. Merom) and PC notebook manufacturers are already out of the gate with models utilizing the new chip. Suspiciously absent from the list is Apple, who may rev the MacBook and MBP as soon as 12 September (at Apple-Expo in Paris) or in the October/November time frame.

Now that Intel has officially launched its Core 2 Duo processors for mobile platforms, notebook manufacturers are scrambling to release new products based on the chip. Core 2 Duo processors bring 64-bit functionality to Intel's mobile platform and all Core 2 Duo processors will feature virtualization technology.

Dell announced today that it is adding Core 2 Duo processor options to all of its mobile XPS systems and Precision mobile workstations. Dell will also make Core 2 Duo processors available on select Inspiron and Latitude models. The Core 2 Duo processors will be available in the low-end starting with the Inspiron E1705 at $1,124 going on up to the XPS M2010 which will start at $3,500 when configured with a Core 2 Duo processor.

DailyTech - Core 2 Notebooks on the Way