Intel has unveiled new laptop silicon, dubbed Core Ultra 2 or Arrow Lake, despite missing out on Microsoft’s “Copilot+ PC” badge due to underpowered neural processing units (NPUs). The high-performance Core Ultra 200HX and 200H series cater to gamers and content creators, while the power-efficient 200U processors are suited for ultraportable devices.
The new H Series Arrow Lake processors fall short of Microsoft’s 48 TOPS mark, with some models reaching only half that performance. In contrast, Intel’s Core Ultra 200S series for desktops includes a dozen low-wattage options aimed at educational and manufacturing environments.
Intel has emphasized the benefits of its 18A process, which it claims represents a new level of chipmaking sophistication. The company plans to produce sample products made with this process in the second half of 2025, with performance details expected by CES 2026.
Microsoft’s “Copilot+ PC” label is tied to the minimum performance threshold for AI capabilities, and Intel’s underpowered NPUs make it difficult for its products to meet that standard. However, the new Core Ultra 2 silicon provides a promising foundation for future AI-enabled laptops and devices.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/07/intel_arrow_lake_laptop_chips