Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is the new brand name for our next-generation energy-efficient performance desktop and mobile processors. Formerly known by their codenames Conroe and Merom, the Intel® Core™2 processors for desktop and mobile computers are based on the Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, Intel's new industry-leading foundation for all mobile, desktop, and server platforms moving forward.

By offering a single brand name for our mainstream desktop and laptop dual-core processors, Intel's branding strategy makes it simple for consumers and businesses to choose a powerful and energy efficient processor – and makes it easier for developers to "write once, run everywhere."

When launched later this year, the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor will provide enhanced performance and energy-efficiency in mobile applications while bringing for the first time the benefits of energy-efficient performance to mainstream desktop computing. With its own unique brand name, the Intel® Core™2 Extreme processor, also to be launched later this year, will be Intel’s highest performing desktop processor ever, and the new first choice of gamers and multimedia professionals worldwide.

As with the Intel® Pentium® processor brand, use of the number "2" signals the arrival of the next generation of technology to the Intel® Core™ processor line. In order to be consistent with our current Intel Core processor naming, we are continuing to use "Duo" to creatively and effectively indicate Intel® dual-core technology.

The new Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Core 2 Extreme brands will have new logos which are consistent with the new Intel brand and corporate identity introduced earlier this year, yet visually distinctive in both design and coloring, to help easily identify these powerful state-of-the-art products as new and improved.

As a part of the Intel Inside® program, these new brands will begin appearing in advertising, at retail, online and on systems from the world's top computer manufacturers later this year. PC buyers will be able to shop by this processor brand name or through our three market-specific and tailored platform brands that deliver best-in-class wireless mobility, in-home entertainment and business productivity hardware and software.