Sam Oliver
A newly revised e-mail sent to members of the Intel Retail Edge Program has changed the contest to offer a new HP Envy laptop, equipped with the new Core i5 processor.
"In our previous communications about the January prize draw, we got the processor right, but not the computer," the new e-mail states. "When you pass this month's trainings, you'll be automatically eligible for 2 chances to win 1 of 2 HP ENVY laptops with the accelerated response of an Intel Core i5 processor."
"We apologize for any confusion," it continues. "Visit the Intel Retail Edge Program website for more great tools, sales tips, technology information, and incredible prizes!"
On Wednesday, the chip maker caused a stir when its Retail Edge Program offered two chances to win a MacBook Pro equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor. Currently, the MacBook Pro line employes the Core 2 Duo processors.
The Retail Edge Program allows retail employees who sell Intel products to access technical knowledge and sales tips, which gives them the opportunity to earn "chips" which can be exchanged for products. The program also offers occasional contests and giveaways.
Intel's mobile Core i5 processor is considered to be a likely candidate for a coming MacBook Pro refresh. The new processors improve on the previous line of Core 2 Duo chips, which can be found in the new MacBook, MacBook Pro and iMac. Apple uses the mobile variants of Intel's desktop chips for those systems.
At CES last week, Intel formally introduced its new line of processors, which include the Core i3, i5 and i7. The first 32 nanometer processors have the major northbridge memory controller components built in.
The new Core i5 processors were benchmarked earlier this month and found to have better performance than their Core 2 Duo predecessors, without a negative impact on battery life. Based on the Arrandale architecture, the new chips use a 32nm Westmere Core and a 45nm chipset, allowing improved speed, better graphics, lower power consumption, and smaller motherboards.
Chip Loder
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
Mike Wuerthele
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
34 Comments
A mistake it was released that is... So don't go buying any new Mac right now until the refresh!
Force Apple to dump the old ones at a discount.
(edited out by mactripper)
Actually I think it sounds reasonable. Although I haven't seen any previous emails like this from Intel, I would say it seemed unlike Apple's style - but then again it's not coming directly from Apple. The end of January just seems to close to release new Macbook updates. We'll see.
Of course it's just a mistake. They probably got scared that Apple would pull the same stunt they did on ATI when they announced early that they would be used in the new Macs. Either that, or they showed marketing the Envy and they confused it with the MacBook Pro (unlikely).
A 'mistake'
Yeesh. We know the i5 (looks like 'g5' made it after all, PPC Mac huggers?) is coming.
Just a matter of when. Around the same time of the slate I should imagine. It's funny to be this far into Jan' and no Apple announcements, eh? I miss Macworld.
Still, we now have APPLEWorld. At a time Apple chooses.
I like their autonomy. It makes it even more exciting in someways. You KNOW if they call an event they ARE ready.
Lemon Bon Bon.
Yeah fuckin right!