Intel Core Ultra: 3 reasons why these processors should be in your next laptop

2023 was the year of artificial intelligence, or AI, a word that has only exponentially grown bigger ever since. On the larger scale, AI is today powering multiple industries, but it is individual users like you and me that are leveraging generative AI to bring abstract ideas to reality in seconds.

At the forefront of this technological revolution is the AI PC – A computer that can harness the power of AI via the cloud as well as on their device, to enable users to do so much more. Pioneering these AI PCs is Intel, whose Intel Core Ultra processors are making AI PCs a reality straight out of science fiction for many. From the Lenovo Yoga series to the HP Spectre and Envy lineup, Intel Core Ultra processors are quickly growing synonymous with the AI PC.

ALSO READ: What is an AI PC?

But just what are the new Intel Core Ultra processors? How are they changing the way you use your laptop. Lets take a deeper dive and understand what Intel Core Ultra-powered AI PCs do for you, and what makes them different.

What are Intel Core Ultra processors?

Traditional chipsets in laptops have two components – the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). These components work in tandem to offer computing performance together with visual outputs, powering everything from navigation across a users interface to fast-paced gaming on a computer.

The Intel Core Ultra processors incorporate a third component called the NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which is a dedicated part of the chipset for AI loads. NPUs can take up AI loads from uses cases like Windows Studio effects to generative AI tools, freeing up the CPU and GPU for other tasks.

The presence of an NPU is not all though – good overall performance of an AI PC is defined by how well the CPU, GPU and NPU are optimised to work with each other. This is where the Intel Core Ultra processors shine, with AI loads and other tasks intelligently being shifted among the three components on the fly, giving you the best possible performance.

Now, let’s look at the three main ways in which AI PCs are helping you do more and use your laptop to its full potential.

1. Improved performance

The Intel Core Ultra processors feature a hybrid architecture with high-performance cores (P-cores) for demanding tasks, as well as efficiency cores (E-cores) for low-requirement background processes. Intelligent switching between these cores save you a lot of precious battery power, and it is this, that makes the Intel Core Ultra series Intel’s most efficient processors ever built.

2. Intelligent AI-powered workflows

The NPUs within Intel Core Ultra processors allow for much more streamlined workflows, armed with several AI-powered tools. Use cases Windows Studio Effects’ background blurring, or auto-framing work much better and with more accuracy.

With an NPU, generative AI tools like text-to-image creation using third-party software like Microsoft Copilot also work better, allowing NPUs to power these features instead of your CPU or GPU, which again translates to better efficiency and power management. This also extend to other use cases like eye tracking capabilities on supported devices, live captions, or call transcriptions.

3. Unmatched graphical performance

Higher-end Intel Core Ultra processors come equipped with integrated Intel Arc GPUs. These ensure you can enjoy high-definition gaming at up to a 1080p resolution and high frame rates. The Xe cores within the Intel Arc GPUs provide graphics which Intel claims, can compete with dedicated GPUs from NVIDIA’s RTX and GTX series, without taking up the actual space that a dedicated GPU usually needs.

The Intel Core Ultra series processors also harness the power of AI and an intelligent design, such that they are suited to a variety of users and use cases. Whether it is multitasking at work with Spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations graphic designing or video editing, or even gaming.

ALSO READ: Buy an Intel Core Ultra-powered laptop and get free games premium software

That’s not all, though. The on-board AI can also help ensure your battery lasts longer, despite the bump in performance. The NPU analyses your workloads and usage patterns and adjusts power allocation between the performance and efficiency cores in real-time.

There’s clearly a lot on offer, which is what makes Intel Core Ultra-powered laptops worth investing in.