The products have been expected. The Conroe and Merom processors are part of Intel's Core 2 Duo family of chips. Core 2 Duo is Intel's next-generation MPU architecture, based on a 65-nm process. Conroe is for desktops, while Merom is for notebooks. Intel already launched Woodcrest, a Core 2 Duo chip for servers.

"The Intel Core 2 Duo processor family consists of five desktop PC processors tailored for business, home, and enthusiast users, such as high-end gamers, and five mobile PC processors designed to fit the needs of a mobile lifestyle," according to CRN India.

The Core 2 Duo desktop processor, dubbed Conroe, is a 291- million transistor device. It is said to consume 40 percent lower power than previous products, according to the report.

"Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor-based systems will be available beginning in early August. Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based notebooks will be available at the end of August. Intel Core 2 Extreme processor X6800 is priced at $999, Core 2 Duo processor E6700 is available at $530, E6600 at $316, E6400 at $224 and E6300 at $183," according to the report.

"Prices are in the range of $183 for the 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo E6300 to $999 for the 2.93GHz Core 2 Extreme X6800. Pricing for the mobile chips was not available," according to EarthTimes.org.