Now this is what I've long been waiting for, a true 64-bit processor to go with the existing OS it was designed for.

"Intel partners have confirmed to us that the Merom processors will require a BIOS update for the notebook when upgrading from a Core Duo Yonah system."

So maybe iMac and Mac Mini owners won't be able to just drop them in after all?

What does this mean for the MacBook? When does everyone think the MacBook will have these new chips? (Core 2 Duo)

Knowing Apple they will artificially separate the MacBook Pro and MacBook, and make the MacBook wait half a year. Or perhaps not. Seems like they are updating quicker now, keeping in line with Intel. That would be awesome if they finally catch up with the rest of the industry and update more frequently, and keep up with Intel. New MacBooks in the Fall? Hmm to wait or not to wait...

I think only the MBP will have merom in the initial launch. After the next refresh I see low end merom chips coming down into the MB.

Basically Apple has to keep the same clock speed or consumers get confused. Apple marketing is likely loathe to explain why a 1.66Ghz Merom is faster than a 1.83 Yonah based book. Thus they'll wait until they can get a 2Ghz or better merom at the right price and use it.

I hope the Macs don't require an update. I'd love to upgrade my mini to merom when the price is right.

I'm not overly concerned about the FSB increase either. That'll of course help memory performance but what's exciting is moving for a 3 issue core to 4 issue and doubling the L2 cache. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Is the lack of mention of iMac chip updates a bad sign?

Why would the MacBooks get the Merom Chips? They are a Consumer notebook. The 32 bit chip is plenty considering they keep up with the current G5s even in FInal Cut pro. This seems like "the grass is always greener" infused with a little "what have you done for me lately" mac user complex. There is no "artificial" line between the MacBook and the Pro. It is and looks like there will and should be a big distinction between the two since they are made for different users, not just for different wallets. I would love to get everything you get in a Pro in the cost and package of a MacBook, but then why have a Pro line? I would love to have a Quad in the price and the package of a mini, but then why have a Powermac line? There needs to be a distinction because they are made for two different markets. They should Keep the Yonahs for the Consumer line and the Merom/Woodcrest for the pro not for some artificial profit margin, but to keep the consumer products more affordable and so the product lines don't cannibalize each other. If you want more power pay for it. We don't want what happened to the powerbooks when the iBooks had virtually the same chip then powerbooks were considered slow and a waste of money.

Yonah really is going to top out at 2.4Ghz or so and that'll come by next year so the majority of laptops will eventually migrate over to Merom. Eventually you'll see pricing parity between the two and it'll make sense to use Merom for all but the lowest end laptops.

In the meantime Merom will indeed provide that differentiation between consumer and pro for 6-9 months in the Apple arena.