By Prince McLean

Published: 01:10 PM EST

Addressing demand for even faster notebook computers, Intel Corp. said Monday it has begun shipping its first Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile dual-core processor and expects to announce battery-friendly quad-core processors for notebooks next year.

The world's largest chipmaker billed its new Core 2 Extreme X7800 the "world's highest-performing mobile processor," explaining that each of the unit's two cores operates at a brisk 2.6 GHz and bundles mobile-specific power-saving features to help system designers deliver more energy-efficient and higher-performing designs.

For example, the new chip offers up to 28 percent more performance than Intel's previous-generation mobile processor, the company said. Additionally, the new chips ship without bus ratio restrictions, meaning system designers can unleash even more performance from the chips through overclocking.

"Laptops are the fastest-growing computing market segment, and there is increasing demand from those who crave the ultimate in video, gaming and design computing performance yet want the freedom and flexibility that a laptop brings," said Mooly Eden, Intel vice president and general manager, Mobile Platforms Group.

Simultaneously on Monday, Intel introduced a robust set of new processors for desktop-based systems, including the flagship Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 quad-core processor. Clocked at 3.0 GHz with a new, faster 1333 MHz system bus speed, the QX6850 is expected to be a particular draw amongst game developers looking to deliver new features and performance levels. The Santa Clara-based chipmaker also announced new Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors.

"Thanks to the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad core processor, the PC version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 raises gaming to new heights," said Bo Anderson, CEO, GRIN Development Studio. "Intel's quad-core processor uses one core for physics, one for rendering, one for game logic and one for miscellaneous tasks, which can provide consistently higher and more stable frame rates."



Intel said its new Core 2 Extreme X7800 mobile processor, running at 2.6 GHz with 4 MB of L2 cache, is available to OEMs now at a cost of $851. Notebook systems based on the chip should appear on the market within the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the new desktop processors are also shipping to OEMs now, with product available to end users within the next two weeks.

The new desktop chips range in price from $163 for an Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 running at 2.33 GHz with a 1333MHz front side bus and 4MB of L2 cache, to $999 for an Intel quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6850 running at 3.0GHz with a 1333MHz front side bus and 8MB of L2 cache.