What we know about the upcoming Intel Core Ultra 2nd Gen Laptops
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(And what buyers need to know when sourcing for their workforce).
Along with a slew of new model announcements from PC vendors at CES 2025, Intel has released information on the second generation Intel Core Ultra. These will eventually replace the Intel Core Ultra 100 series processors.
What stays the same?
All the Intel Core Ultra processors feature a mix of Performance cores, a Neural Processor Unit (NPU) for on-device AI, and integrated graphics. Just like the 12th and 13th generation Intel Core i processors, the more Performance cores, the faster.
The Intel Core Ultra U (mainstream) processors continue with a speed bump compared to last year's models. These have 2x Performance cores, 8x Efficiency cores, 2x Low Power Efficiency cores, a dedicated AI NPU and Intel Graphics. Expect to see these in mainstream business laptops.
The Intel Core Ultra H (performance) processors upgrade this to 4 or 6 Performance cores and faster Intel Arc graphics. Expect to see these as a performance option for mainstream business laptops and standard in mobile workstation laptops.
What's different?
Intel Core Ultra 200V
There is a new Intel Core Ultra V series - this is the only Microsoft Copilot+PC Intel processor with its own 40+ TOPS NPU. The V series has 4x Performance cores, 4x Low Power Efficiency cores, and fast Intel Arc graphics. The V series was previously code-named Lunar Lake. Expect to see the V in premium ultralights promising better performance than laptops with U series CPUs and better battery life than laptops with H series processors.
Intel Core Ultra 200HX
Last year's 14th gen Intel Core i-HX (mobile workstation) processor is being replaced with the Intel Core Ultra HX, which adds a dedicated AI Neural Processor Unit (NPU). This has either 6 or 8 Performance cores, and 8, 12 or 16 Efficiency cores. Basic Intel Graphics feature, as these processors are paired with high-performance NVIDIA RTX graphics in heavy-duty mobile workstation laptops.
No more Hyperthreading.
Hyperthreading does not feature on the new H, HX or V processors.
Hyperthreading treats a single Performance core as two logical cores for multi-threaded applications. Removing this increases single-threaded performance for better responsiveness. The higher clock speeds and high Performance core counts of the H, HX and V processors keep multithreaded performance better than last year's processors.
No more i5, i7, or i9.
This branding has been replaced with Ultra 5, Ultra 7, and Ultra 9. For H and HX processors, moving up to an Ultra 7 increases core counts and clock speeds. Moving up to an Ultra 9 increases both power consumption and performance for V, H and HX processors.
What to look for when buying?
When comparing competing laptops, quotes and proposals:
If you receive a proposal or quote for a laptop or tablet specified as simply 'Intel Core Ultra 7' then it pays to ask your supplier to clarify what series (U, V, H or HX) it comes from.
This is particularly important when comparing different brands or suppliers - one machine may be far more powerful than the other on closer inspection.
Most important: Look at the last characters in the processor name:
If you were to receive a quote for a laptop with the Intel Core Ultra 7 above, instinct might say it's faster than a comparable machine with the Intel Core Ultra 5 listed. However, the devil is in the detail:
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In this case, the Ultra 5-225H is the more powerful machine.
The last characters indicate which series (U,V,H, or HX) each Intel CPU belongs to:
Secondary importance: Ultra 5, 7, or 9
This indicates the performance rank within each series with higher = faster.
In general, all HX processors are faster than any H processor regardless of Ultra rank, and all H processors are faster than any U processor.
How do the new Intel Core models compare?
Do these make the Intel Core Ultra 100 series obsolete?
No. First generation Intel Core Ultra 100U and 100H devices will still be competitive and offer the same overall feature set. We expect to see a number of devices with 1st gen Intel Core Ultra to be sold throughout 2025 alongside 2nd gen models.
Intel Core i 14000HX mobile workstation processors do not have a dedicated AI NPU, so anyone wanting to use features that specifically require an on-device NPU can switch to the equivalent Intel Core Ultra 200HX. Nonetheless, the 14th gen HX processors remain more powerful than newer U, V or H processors in all other respects.
When will the first Intel Core Ultra 200 laptops become available?
Following announcements at CES 2025, we expect to see models with V series processors entering the market first, followed by models with U, H and HX processors. New releases typically depend on manufacturer model refresh cycles which often fall between autumn and spring within the NZ market. Find out more by speaking to a key account manager.
Find out more:
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