Well, it’s happened. Apple officially has Intel chipsets working on comsumer level computers.

The first two Apple computers to use Intel Core Duo, a dual core chip, are the MacBook Pro and the iMac. The iMac starts at $1299 and the MacBook starts at $1999. Apple claims these new dual core processors are 2-4 times faster than the PowerPC chips that formerly powered Apple products.

Apple has also unveiled a program called “Rosetta.” Like the fabled Rosetta Stone for which it’s named, it translates PowerPC developed programs so that they will run on the new Intel based machines. Though, there are some programs that do not translate for one reason or another. Apple says that their PowerPC based Pro line of multimedia accessories will not work under Rosetta. Current owners of that set of programs will have to rebuy the components from Apple for a “minimal cost.”

Should you upgrade? If your iMac or MacBook isn’t very old, you should not worry about it unless you must have the newest technology.