MacBooks get Core 2 Duo, Mac Mini next?

The MacBook has received an update to Intel’s Core 2 Duo chip at last, closing the performance gap that existed only until the last few days. Now all’s that left is for the Mac Mini to be updated, and Apple’s stunning transformation to Intel’s latest will be complete.

Big cheers to Apple for finally updating the MacBook line with Core 2 Duo chips. Until this happened, the MacBook’s Core Duo processors had a gaping hole in processor performance. One thing we’ve noticed, however, is that the MacBook can only take 2Gb of memory in total – precisely 1Gb less than the MacBook Pro.

This could be a serious issue for those wanting to run Mac OS X and Vista or another operating system at the same time. After all, everyone knows how memory hungry the latest OS’s are. If not Mac OS X, then certainly Vista.

I personally wanted to buy a smaller MacBook over the larger MacBook Pro, but now I’m not so sure. To me, at least, more memory is vitally important. If I get lousy virtualisation performance when running another OS like XP or more importantly Vista, then what’s the point of having gone down that path in the first place?

Better to get a 3Gb-equipped MacBook Pro and be done with it.

Now, the only computer in Apple’s line-up that’s yet to be upgraded is the rather excellent little Mac Mini. Owners of the Mac Mini have already reported successfully upgrading the Core Duo chip with their own Core 2 Duo, and enjoying an immediate boost in performance, so there’s no reason why Apple can’t do the same at the point of manufacture.

However given Apple’s recent track record in updating the processors in their computers, a Mac Mini upgrade can’t be too far behind.

So thank you, Apple, for finally upgrading the MacBook line. If only it was able to take 3Gb of memory! It really seems as though I’m destined to get the larger MacBook Pro and just living with the extra size, although a larger screen is rarely a bad thing.

Now, how soon before Apple updates their lines with a Core 2 Quad?