Core 2 Duo Support Requires BIOS Update

[KRP]

Courtesy of Laptop Logic (http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=938)

Contrary to rumors and claims, a BIOS update will be needed for many laptops to support Core 2 Duo.

Laptop enthusiasts looking to upgrade their Yonah-based laptops to the upcoming Merom processors are not in luck.

Contrary to rumors and claims, a BIOS update will be needed for many laptops to support Core 2 Duo, also known under the code-name Merom. Many Calistoga-based machines, such as the Fujistu N series and the Apple Mac Mini, support Merom without a BIOS update.

However, this will not always be the case. Laptop Logic has discovered that the Asus S96J, also known as the Z96J, does not support Merom. When we inserted a Merom processor into our Asus S96J testbed, the laptop reported that the CPU microcode was unknown and refused to boot.


Also, here's an article by Anandtech discussing Intel's latest CPU Roadmap (it includes the pricing scheme for Merom, 2.0 Ghz costs $300):

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2546