In a curious plot twist at CES 2025, Intel has officially rolled out its latest lineup of processors for laptops under the Arrow Lake flag, designated as the Core Ultra 2 series. While this launch is brimming with potential, it has unfortunately stumbled on one very visible hurdle: these chips lack the muscle required to snag Microsoft’s coveted "Copilot+ PC" badge—a label reserved for the crème de la crème of Windows devices capable of delivering exceptional AI-powered performance.
But what does this Copilot+ PC branding even mean? How do Intel's Arrow Lake chips fall short despite what seems like impressive hardware? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty and unpack the bigger story.
For perspective:
But let’s call a spade a spade—this feels like a deflection. It seems Intel is betting that AI leadership will grow over time, not hinge on surpassing one arbitrary milestone in the near term. The upcoming 18A process node set for mass production in late 2025 might be their chance to reclaim "AI PC" dominance, but we’ll address that later.
Where does this leave Intel's product strategy? Somewhat fragmented. While Lunar Lake secures AI bragging rights, Arrow Lake remains squeezed by competitors in its battleground segments.
The takeaway:
Windows 11 continues evolving into an OS that thrives on AI, so the significance of Intel’s shortfall on this front shouldn't be underestimated. If you’re in the market for a "future-proofed" AI-PC, keep an eye on the badge. Without the Copilot+ sticker, you might not be buying the best tool for tomorrow's digital demands.
Stay tuned as this tech showdown accelerates!
Source: The Register Intel debuts laptop silicon that doesn't qualify for Microsoft's 'Copilot+ PC' badge
But what does this Copilot+ PC branding even mean? How do Intel's Arrow Lake chips fall short despite what seems like impressive hardware? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty and unpack the bigger story.
What’s New with Intel’s Arrow Lake Core Ultra 2 Chips?
Intel’s new offerings in the Core Ultra 2 series, commonly known as "Arrow Lake," are split across three market categories: high-performance HX, heat-efficient H, and ultraportable U-series processors. These are tailor-made for different user needs, spanning gamers and content creators, ultraportable enthusiasts, and casual users.Key Highlights of Arrow Lake:
- Neural Processing Units (NPUs): Designed to handle AI workloads, each Core Ultra chip integrates NPUs that offload AI and machine learning tasks from the primary CPU and GPU.
- Productivity Meets Gaming: With options like the Core Ultra 285HX boasting 24 cores clocked up to 5.5GHz, this series should theoretically thrive in heavily threaded workloads such as gaming and video editing.
- Efficiency Focus for Portables: The U-series keeps a modest power draw (TDP as low as 15W), making it ideal for ultraportable and energy-conscious laptop designs.
Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC Badge: The Gold Standard for AI PCs
Microsoft introduced the Copilot+ PC certification as its way of marking devices armed with AI-optimized hardware, specifically designed to offer superior performance for Windows AI features like Windows Copilot, real-time AI-powered transcription, and advanced collaborative tools. Among the criteria, one stands out like a sore thumb: a system-wide performance of 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second) for AI workloads is the minimum threshold.Where Arrow Lake Falls Short
Intel’s Arrow Lake processors max out at the following performance figures for NPUs:- 200HX and 200H Series: 13 TOPS
- 200U Series (ultraportables): 11 TOPS
For perspective:
- Microsoft’s Requirement: 40+ TOPS for the NPU alone
- Arrow Lake’s Best: 13 TOPS on the higher-end SKU
Intel’s Response: It’s Not All About TOPS
Intel hasn’t taken this lightly, emphasizing its long-term strategy for AI computing. Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Interim Co-CEO of Intel, spun the narrative more broadly, stating that Arrow Lake devices are still redefining PC AI innovation and providing end-users with "better traditional PC experiences." Certainly, traditional use cases like multitasking, gaming, and productivity on these chips remain high-caliber.But let’s call a spade a spade—this feels like a deflection. It seems Intel is betting that AI leadership will grow over time, not hinge on surpassing one arbitrary milestone in the near term. The upcoming 18A process node set for mass production in late 2025 might be their chance to reclaim "AI PC" dominance, but we’ll address that later.
Breaking Down the Lineup
Let’s get a clearer picture of what each series in Arrow Lake brings to the table:1. HX Series – Desktop-Like Power in a Laptop
Built for gamers and professional creators:- Intel Ultra 9 285HX (Flagship): 24 cores, 36MB L3 cache, 5.5GHz boost clock
- Power-hungry with a base TDP of 55W, scaling up to a monster 160W
- Launch window: First Half of 2025
2. H Series – The Middle Ground
Targeted at versatile performance users—those who need a balance of battery life and raw performance:- TDP ranges between 28W and 115W.
- Example SKU: Ultra 7 265H, offering 16 cores, 5.3GHz clock speeds.
- NPU performance? Still at an unremarkable 13 TOPS.
3. U Series – Ultraportables
Designed with portability in mind, the U Series sacrifices NPU power for energy efficiency.- Top clock speeds hover around 5 GHz (Ultra 7 265U).
- A mere 11 TOPS NPU performance means these chips are purely for casual or productivity-focused users.
So, What About Intel’s Lunar Lake?
Interestingly, Intel still has something Copilot+ PC-worthy up its sleeve—its Lunar Lake processors. Released in September 2024, these chips have NPUs punching at 48 TOPS performance, comfortably above Microsoft’s benchmark. That said, these remain a separate product line aimed at specific markets, and their application likely won’t cover gamers or ultraportables motivated by Arrow Lake.Where does this leave Intel's product strategy? Somewhat fragmented. While Lunar Lake secures AI bragging rights, Arrow Lake remains squeezed by competitors in its battleground segments.
Why Should Windows Users Care?
Here’s the bigger picture: AI computing is rapidly becoming the next big wave for personal devices. Whether it’s ChatGPT-powered workflows, neural translations in Teams, or live AI filters in presentations—hardware optimized for this AI-heavy workflow will be indispensable.The takeaway:
- If you rely on AI-centric Windows features like Copilot or advanced machine-learning-based video editing, you might need hardware that meets the Copilot+ PC specs. For now, Arrow Lake isn’t it.
- However, standard workloads and gaming? Intel’s obsession with high clock speeds means these chips are still very much capable in these departments.
Beyond Arrow Lake: Intel Looks to the Future
Intel has teased its upcoming 18A fabrication process, boasting immense improvements in transistor technology. Key claims include:- EDGE computing expertise is being fine-tuned, potentially unveiling a new class of desktop and laptop NPUs surpassing 50+ TOPS.
- Mass production is expected by late 2025, setting up CES 2026 as Intel’s next major opportunity to challenge Microsoft’s high bar.
Closing Thoughts
Intel’s Arrow Lake launch is both promising and frustrating. On one hand, these chips deliver a mix of performance and efficiency that elevates the traditional PC experience, making them solid choices for casual users. On the other hand, where Intel desperately needs to excel—AI computing—it remains behind the curve.Windows 11 continues evolving into an OS that thrives on AI, so the significance of Intel’s shortfall on this front shouldn't be underestimated. If you’re in the market for a "future-proofed" AI-PC, keep an eye on the badge. Without the Copilot+ sticker, you might not be buying the best tool for tomorrow's digital demands.
Stay tuned as this tech showdown accelerates!
Source: The Register Intel debuts laptop silicon that doesn't qualify for Microsoft's 'Copilot+ PC' badge
