Intel 2.93GHz mobile CPU, more due Dec. 28?

Intel will launch one of its last waves of Core 2 mobile processors just before the end of the year, according to reputed tips from mainboard producers in the Taiwan area. Incorrectly flagged as desktop processors by the source, a December 28th lineup is said to include five generally faster processors that all consume no more than 35W of power, suiting them to most thin-and-light notebooks. This would include the already-rumored 2.93GHz Core 2 Duo, or T9800, as well as Intel's first normal-power quad-core processor for notebooks, the 2GHz Core 2 Quad Q9000.

Both of these chips are said to have large batch prices of $530 and $348 respectively, making them suitable for some high-end and mainstream models. It's unknown whether the 2.93GHz part directly replaces the 2.8GHz model available today.

The three lower-end processors would serve as interim updates for lower-cost processors. The 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo P9600 would outperform its 2.53GHz equivalent while keeping a small package and a $348 price; the 2.66GHz T9550 and 2.53GHz models would be full-size but, as a result, carry lower prices of $316 and $241 that should replace 2.53GHz and 2.4GHz existing models. The current 2.4GHz part would be cut to just $209 in January.

While giving Intel some of its fastest non-Extreme notebook chips, the upgrade may arrive just weeks before the launch of mobile Core i7 processors that should be faster at similar clock speeds.

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