UK system builder Rock has won the race to ship the first notebook based on an AMD dual-core processor. While the company was understandably keen to trumpet its achievement - it sent The Register at least five copies of a press release on the matter - we can also confirm that a number of readers received their Rocks early yesterday morning.

Rock has been touting its Xtreme 64 notebook, based on AMD's Athlon 64 X2, in the UK for some time. More recently, US system builder WidowPC announced a near-identical machine, the Sting 917X2. Both boxes are based on a barebones chassis from Clevo.

They're not the only ones: a number of other system builders have highlighted dual-core designs, but of those who Register readers have told us about, all are talking about shipping in the New Year. Last week, both Rock and WidowPC were suggesting they would be able to ship before Christmas.

To be fair to the US company, its British rival has a seven-hour time advantage. But yesterday, sources close to Rock said machines had gone out, and readers said kit had arrived. We've had not such communication from WidowPC, official or unofficial.

As such, we have to declare Rock the winner. ®