What is Intel Core Ultra Series 2, why is it important and what laptops are there?

TechComputers & PCsLaptopsWhat is Intel Core Ultra Series 2, why is it important and what laptops are there?Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 2 hardware brings more power for the next generation of AI PCsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 2 hardware brings more power for the next generation of AI PCs

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus Zenbook S 14

(Image credit: Asus)

In 2020 when Apple Silicon was announced, we got a demonstration of how powerful the closed ecosystem can be for the company. Apple slickly made the move over to different hardware for the MacBook, doing something that Windows has attempted on several occasions since 2012.

For Windows, everything is more complicated, as there are a wide range of manufacturers, many hardware choices not to mention Microsoft itself – and everything has to work together. Intel has its part to play in this transformation, and the Core Ultra Series 2 is at the heart of it.

Core Ultra Series 2 powers Intel back into contention

(Image credit: Intel)

Intel Core Ultra Series 2

(Image credit: Intel)

Intel has been central to Windows for the last couple of decades, powering devices with its x86 architecture. The challenge, for Intel, has been to adapt its hardware to compete with the competition from ARM hardware. The two aren’t directly compatible though, which is where heads have clashed. That ARM hardware comes from Qualcomm with itsSnapdragon X Elite Series, which we’ve seen produce great results in theSurface Pro 11, for example.

The Series 2 hardware – codenamed Lunar Lake –made significant changesto boost performance. The headline figures here are a 40% reduction in power consumption, an NPU that’s 4x more powerful for running AI applications, and an average 30% boost in graphics performance compared to the previous generation.

How does Intel Core Ultra Series 2 compare to Snapdragon X Series?

(Image credit: Acer / Future)

Acer Swift 16

(Image credit: Acer / Future)

At IFA 2024, Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm CEO, exclaimed during his keynote presentation: “I like this competition!” That’s what we’re really witnessing here: for the first time in a long time, there’s competition in laptop hardware and that’s going to be great for customers.

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Intel fired some early shots, showing that its graphics performance was better than Snapdragon’s, while pointing out that 23 of the games they benchmarked wouldn’t run on ARM hardware.

Qualcomm fired back a day later, pointing out that Intel had benchmarked its top hardware against the lowest level of Snapdragon X Plus – and that those benchmarks aren’t a true reflection of the comparison. I expect the back-and-forth between Intel and Qualcomm to run for some time.

Importantly, however, that topic of compatibility remains. Intel will offer better Day 1 support for games than Snapdragon, thanks to the x86 architecture – and that will be an important factor for those wanting a thin and light laptop that’s going to be used for gaming. Equally, if you run older apps from small developers, it’s just going to work on Intel’s new hardware – andmightwork on Snapdragon with emulation, but some apps just won’t work at all.

What about Intel Core Ultra battery life?

There are efficiencies built all across Lunar Lake and that will give you up to 20 hours of battery life – with Intel saying that this was 20 hours of work, not just 20 hours of video watching with a dimmed display.

What Intel Core Ultra Series 2 laptops are available?

(Image credit: Lenovo)

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Aura Edition

(Image credit: Lenovo)

Acer Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI

The Acer Swift 14 AI hadalready been announcedas a Copilot+ PC with Snapdragon, but has now expanded to include anIntel Core Ultra Series 2 model. Expanding the family, a 16-inch model joins the selection, which is only available with Intel power. It costs from $1,199 / AU$1,899.

Asus Zenbook S14 and S16

Asus is pushing thin and light with this Intel-powered Copilot+ PC, weighing 1.2kg and only 1.1cm thick (the S14). There’s an OLED display with options for 14- or 16-inch sizes. It costs from £1,499 / $1,399.

Asus Vivobook 14/16 Flip

As the name suggests, the Asus Vivobook 14/16 Flip has a more flexible display that folds back on itself to create a tablet mode and comes in 14- or 16-inch sizes, with an OLED display so it looks glorious.

Dell XPS 13

Dell has refreshed the XPS 13 with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 giving you that slim and seamless finish but now with the latest power. It will cost from $1,399.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition

Lenovo and Intel have a deeper collaboration on Core Ultra Series 2, creating “Aura Edition” that has additional features, such as Smart Modes, Smart Share and Smart Care.The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Editionis slim and light with a 15-inch LCD display. It starts from £1,399.

MSI Claw 8 AI+

Okay, so technically it’s not a laptop – there are laptops in MSI’s Venture range that are Core Ultra 2 powered – but I thought I’d give an honourable mention to the Claw 8 AI+. Using Intel Core Ultra Series 2 in this handheld gaming device ensures compatibility with all those existing PC games, but whether the Claw can win back fans is another question.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360

Samsung has expanded its Copilot+ PC range withthe Galaxy Book5 360and comes with a 16-inch display with an S Pen in the box for added input options, while that 360 naming tells you that it has a flexible display for various modes. It will cost from £1,699.

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