In today’s tech landscape, Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors are powering a new generation of laptops infused with AI capabilities. These cutting-edge devices are revolutionizing how we compute, offering enhanced performance and intelligent features tailored to meet the demands of modern users.
Not only do the Intel® Core™ Ultra processors deliver outstanding performance, but they also enhance responsiveness and optimize battery usage. A notable addition to these processors is the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) which is dedicated to AI and ML tasks. Intel® refers to this feature as AI Boost, a dedicated AI engine that works along with the CPU and GPU typically found in conventional processors. By offloading AI-based tasks from the CPU and GPU, the NPU enables exceptional AI features, taking on low-powered AI workloads for greater efficiency.
Intel® Core™ Ultra laptops cater to a diverse range of users, including content creators, gamers, professionals, and everyday users, by offering a host of AI-driven functionalities aimed at boosting productivity and enjoyment across various domains. For example, imagine if you wanted a very specific image that just isn’t available online. Earlier, you had no option but to wait for an artist or a designer to create one from scratch. But with an AI PC, you can use text-to-image software like Blender or GIMP to quickly create images via a simple text description. This makes it a very handy tool for designers, or marketers.
But it’s not just about creating images. Photo and video editors usually require powerful tools in their line of work. But things will now be catapulted to the next level with AI. When using software such as Adobe Lightroom and OBS Studio, users can now use AI to generate more natural-looking filters. Further, AI also helped to bring down export times, which is always going to be welcome. As if all this wasn’t enough, users will also benefit from faster and more automatic searches.
All this might be cool, but what about the working professionals? Well, an AI PC powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors will help professionals be more productive. When using Windows Studio Effects, professionals can utilise features such as Smart Scene Framing, Eye Gaze Correction, and Low Power Background Blur to ensure that the user is always the focal point in the video. But that’s not all, professionals can also utilize more personal digital assistants such as Rewind AI to enjoy bespoke suggestions and updates.
Gamers can elevate their experiences with AI-based game upscaling technologies like Intel® XeSS. This cutting-edge feature enhances immersion and visual quality during gameplay. Additionally, multiplayer gaming experiences are poised to improve significantly with features such as Live Transcription and Chat Translation.
An Intel® Core™ Ultra-powered AI PC also simplifies everyday tasks. For example, with the help of the right software applications, AI can be used to help write messages, emails, and articles. This could save hours of work while also helping those who may not have a complete grasp of the language. As if that wasn’t cool enough, it can also be used to check for grammatical mistakes or even predict text.
Another cool feature of AI PCs is how it protects user data from hackers. It can continuously monitor the PC and the moment it detects signs of an attack, it can immediately move to protect user data and other confidential files. It also helps improve security scans through real-time threat detection.
People with disabilities can greatly benefit from an AI-powered PC. For instance, AI-driven audio-visual features can significantly enhance productivity. Thereby offering opportunities for greater independence and self-confidence.
It should be noted that all of this would not be possible without the right software offered by a robust ecosystem of over 100 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). This collaboration ensures a seamless integration of software and hardware, resulting in a multitude of features that can leverage the abilities of the Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors. This also ensures that over time, new software will emerge that can introduce improvements to the current set of features, or push the limits of the hardware by introducing a whole new set of possibilities. Needless to say, the future looks very exciting!
Of course, to run all this software, you need the right hardware to back things up and the Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors are more than up to the task. As mentioned earlier, these processors feature an NPU which helps reduce the workload on the CPU and GPU when it comes to AI-based tasks. But that’s not all. The Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors are also quite powerful. They boast up to 16 cores and 22 threads, offering substantial processing power. Intel® also introduced an updated version of its Performance Hybrid Architecture, featuring Performance Cores (P-Cores), Efficiency Cores (E-Cores), and new Low-Power Efficiency Cores (LP E-Cores). While P-Cores handle resource-intensive tasks, E-Cores manage multithreaded workloads, and LP E-Cores tackle scalable multithreaded performance and background tasks. This setup ensures smooth performance while preserving battery life. Additionally, these processors can include up to an Intel® Arc™ iGPU, enabling them to handle graphically demanding tasks like gaming, video streaming, and content creation with ease.
Now let’s look at some laptops powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors and the type of users who might want to consider them.
Budget-oriented: Lenovo Slim 5 83DA0049IN
The Lenovo Slim 5 makes for the perfect gateway into the world of AI PCs. It is extremely well-priced for what it has to offer, while still offering all the bells and whistles one can expect. For starters, the laptop is powered by an Intel® Core™ Ultra 5-125H processor. This offers a total of 14 cores and 18 threads of performance that is divided between 4 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores and 2 LP E-Cores. It also has a max boost clock speed of 4.5GHz. Other features include 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. Meanwhile, graphical duties are handled by an Intel® Arc™ iGPU.
However, the most eye-catching feature of the laptop has to be the 14-inch WUXGA OLED display which should offer more vibrant colours and deeper blacks as compared to traditional PCD panels. Further, the display offers a brightness of 400 nits and covers 100% of the sRGB colour gamut.
In terms of AI, the laptop comes with the Lenovo AI Engine. This includes features such as Smart Wireless that automatically detects cut-offs in real time and will automatically get users back online to ensure workflow remains uninterrupted. Then there is also Smart Noise Cancelling that automatically removes any background noise during calls for greater voice clarity.
Affordable thin & light: Acer Swift Go 14
Thin & light laptops can be quite pricey. This is especially true when considering purchasing one with the latest processors. However, it looks like Acer did not get the memo and that’s a good thing. The Acer Swift Go 14 offers pretty much everything one might want from a thin & light machine, without the hefty price. The laptop weighs 1.32kg and is 14.9mm thick, making it perfectly portable.
Powering this laptop is an Intel® Core™ Ultra 5-125H processor. So users still get impressive levels of performance and responsiveness. It also comes with 16GB RAM paired with 512GB of storage. Graphics duties are handled by an Intel® Arc™ iGPU. The laptop also features a 14-inch touchscreen WUXGA IPS display that covers 100% of the sRGB colour gamut.
The Acer Swift Go 14 comes with additional AI functionalities. Acer PurifiedView provides automatic framing, gaze correction, and background blur for improved video call quality. Working alongside PurifiedView, Acer’s PurifiedVoice technology reduces background noise, enhancing audio clarity. Users can access all AI features through AcerSense, remove image backgrounds with LiveArt, and personalise screens with AI-generated backgrounds using AlterView.
Ultra-portable: HP Spectre x360 14-eu0666TU
Regular commuters or travellers might require an ultra-portable laptop that prioritises compactness and weight while offering impressive performance levels. For such users, the HP Spectre x360 14 might be just what the doctor ordered. The laptop is extremely thin at just 16.9mm thick and weighs only 1.44kg. This makes it very easy to carry and use without getting tired.
Helping things along is the fact that the laptop packs a compact 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen display. This reduces the overall footprint of the laptops and makes it easier to fit in a bag. It should also be noted that the display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. Further, the 360-degree hinge allows the display to be flipped all the way around for use as a tablet.
Powering the laptop is the Intel® Core™ Ultra 7-155H processor. With a total of 16 cores, including 6 P-Cores (Power Cores), 8 E-Cores (Efficiency Cores), and 2 LP E-Cores (Low Power Efficiency Cores), this processor offers exceptional performance. Supported by Intel® Arc™ graphics, the laptop can handle casual gaming and content creation effortlessly.
The device incorporates intelligent AI functionalities, including AI gestures for effortless control, a Walk-Away lock and Wake On approach for added security, power, and privacy alerts, as well as screen time reminders.
Ideal for creators: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED UX3405
Creators are always seeking tools that enhance their creative expressions, making display quality and performance crucial metrics when selecting a laptop. As such, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is a pretty good option. For starters, the laptop is powered by the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5-125H processor, which offers impressive levels of power thanks to 14 cores and 18 threads of performance. This is then paired with Intel® Arc™ integrated graphics. This means that the laptop has more than enough horsepower to take on most graphically-intensive tasks. Additionally, the laptop offers up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
The laptop also packs a 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen panel with a screen-to-body ratio of 87%. The display is VESA Certified DisplayHDR True Black 500 and delivers a peak brightness of 600 nits. This colour accuracy comes in handy when editing photos and videos.
Premium features: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
Those on the lookout for premium features won’t go wrong by picking up the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro. This laptop features a classy metal chassis that is only 11.6mm thick and weighs just 1.23kg. Like some of its counterparts on the list, the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is equipped with an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7-155H CPU and Intel® Arc™ integrated graphics as its GPU. The device boasts up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
Those who love to consume content will not be disappointed with this laptop. It packs a 14-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with a 2880x1800p resolution. So visuals should be crisp and vibrant. In terms of audio, the laptop offers AKG quad-speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
Regarding AI capabilities, the laptop offers most of the features that AI PCs have to offer. This includes Auto Framing and eye contact correction through Studio effects and AI noise cancellation to elevate the quality of video calls and conferences.
