Does a dual core processor and core duo processor mean exactly the same thing?

Answer 1

No, not excatly. A Core Duo processor is made by Intel and is their version of a dual core processor. Note that a Core Duo processor is 32-bit only. AMD makes the Athlon 64x2 (dual core) and Turion 64x2 (mobile dual core). So technically speaking a dual core processor and core duo processor are not the same thing BUT a Core Duo is a dual core processor. It breaks down like this:

Note that all AMD dual core processors are 64-bit, this is not the case with Intel.

Dual Core Processors
Intel Core Duo (aka Centrino Duo)
AMD Athlon 64x2
AMD Athlon FX-60
AMD Athlon FX-62
AMD Turion 64x2
Intel Pentium D (exact model numbers escape me but not all Pentium D processors are dual core)

Answer 2

yes.