When purchasing a new laptop, one of the first considerations is the processor that lies at its core. And in the realm of processors, Intel® is one of the most trustworthy names out there. The brand has continued to push out industry-leading processors, and the Intel® Core™ Ultra processors are the latest to power laptops worldwide, bringing on the new age of AI PCs. The Intel® Core™ Ultra processors come with a new 3D performance hybrid architecture that integrates a CPU, GPU, and NPU into a single package. The processors are specifically designed to take on AI-based tasks and feature a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a purpose-built AI accelerator which handles sustained, heavily used AI workloads at low power for greater efficiency. This AI acceleration called the Intel® AI Boost unlocks AI experiences that enable enhanced collaboration, productivity and creativity by reducing the workload on the CPU and GPU, while the NPU takes on low-power AI tasks.
Notably, the inclusion of the new NPU has not come at the cost of overall performance. The new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors come with up to 16 cores and 22 threads. Further, the new version of the Performance Hybrid Architecture still has the cores divided into Performance Cores (P-Cores) and Efficiency Cores (E-Cores) and have now been joined by the Low-Power Efficiency Cores (LP E-Cores). The new LP E-Cores are perfect for scalable multithreaded performance and offloading background tasks. Altogether, this means that the new processors can offer even better battery efficiency, performance and responsiveness as compared to previous-generation processors.
If all this wasn’t enough, these processors also offer an Intel® Arc™ iGPU for graphics. This allows users to take on graphically intensive tasks such as casual gaming, video streaming, and content creation.
But what can an AI PC do for me?
A laptop powered by an Intel® Core™ Ultra processor offers a suite of AI-driven features designed to enhance productivity, creativity and enjoyment across various uses. A pretty nifty feature is the text-to-image in software like Blender or GIMP to create images through a simple text prompt. This feature is a godsend for designers, marketers and advertisers who might quickly need a very specific image to be created. Photo and video editors using Adobe Lightroom or OBS Studio can make use of their specialised AI-based features. This includes more natural-looking filters as well as automated and quicker searches along with faster export times.
Professionals can benefit from a number of AI-driven productivity enhancements. For instance, customers can turn on functions like Eye Gaze Correction, Smart Scene Framing, and Low Power Background Blur using Windows Studio Effects. AI is also used by some digital assistants, like Rewind AI, to provide a more personalised experience.
The integration of a dedicated AI engine enables gamers to leverage game upscaling technologies like Intel® XeSS for greater gaming fidelity. Improved multiplayer gameplay is also possible with tools like Chat Translation and Live Transcription.
AI can benefit regular users too, with the correct software tools. Emails, chats, and even full articles can be written by AI in any desired tone or style. It can also be used to proofread articles for grammar mistakes. With the user-selected application, it can even be used to write new code or verify that current codes are free of flaws.
In addition, AI on a PC also includes additional security features that continuously monitor the system for any signs of an attack. Upon detecting an attack, it can automatically move to protect your data. Furthermore, it could enhance security scans through real-time threat detection.
However, AI PCs will most likely have the biggest impact on people with disabilities. Through AI-assisted audio-visual capabilities, they will have the chance to achieve the same level of productivity as anyone else without needing to rely on others for assistance.
Acer Swift Go 14
The Acer Swift Go 14 is the brand’s latest entry in the thin and light lineup. The Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H processor lies at the core of the laptop and is one of the major highlights of this device. The processor features a total of 16 cores, which comprise 6 P-Cores (Power Cores), 8 E-Cores (Efficiency Cores) and 2 LP E-Cores (Low Power Efficiency Cores). The processor has a maximum clock speed of up to 4.80GHz. Assisting the processor is the Intel® Arc™ graphics, which allows the laptop to support casual gaming and content creation.
The device comes equipped with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM paired with a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD for storage. It features a 14-inch touchscreen WUXGA IPS display that covers 100% of the sRGB colour gamut.
The Acer Swift Go 14 includes several helpful AI features aside from the ones mentioned earlier. Acer PurifiedView, for instance, offers automatic framing, gaze correction, and background blur, significantly enhancing the quality of your video calls and conferences. Acer’s PurifiedVoice technology works in tandem with PurifiedView to suppress background noise, ensuring better audio quality. Other features such as AcerSense, LiveArt, and AlterView enable users to access all AI features, remove backgrounds from images, and personalise their screens with AI-generated backgrounds, respectively.
HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre 360x is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that can easily transform into a tablet when needed. It supports an HP Tilt pen with adjustable friction levels and a battery gauge for convenient use. Similar to the Acer Swift Go 14, this laptop is powered by an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7-155H processor and features Intel® Arc™ integrated graphics for GPU performance. Where it distinguishes itself, however, is in its memory and storage capabilities, offering up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB PCIe NVMe Gen4 SSD for ample storage and smooth performance.
The laptop features a 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The display is further protected by anti-reflection Corning Gorilla Glass, guarding against damage and scratches.
The device includes smart AI features such as AI gestures for easy control, Walk-Away lock and Wake On approach, power and privacy alerts, and screen time reminders, enhancing user convenience and productivity.
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED
The Zenbook 14 OLED offers a sleek all-metal design with a thickness of only 14.9mm and a weight of just 1.22kg for effortless portability. Powering the laptop is the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5-125H Processor with 14 cores and 18 threads of performance. The cores are divided into 4 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores and 2 LP E-Cores. It also packs Intel® Arc™ integrated graphics. The laptop is said to offer a battery life of up to 15 hours. The device offers up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD storage.
The new Zenbook series offers up to a 14-inch OLED touchscreen panel boasting FHD resolution. The display features razor-thin bezels, has a peak brightness of 600 nits and is VESA Certified DisplayHDR True Black. The device is ideal for creative users who demand a sleek yet powerful PC capable of supporting light photo and video editing tasks, and it can also double as a gaming machine for casual users.
MSI Prestige 16
The MSI Prestige 16 boasts a sleek form factor, measuring just 18.9mm in thickness and weighing 1.5kg. Like most other entries in the list, it is powered by the Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H processor paired with Intel® Arc™ Integrated graphics. The device features 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD for storage.
The laptop is equipped with a 16-inch QHD+ IPS display with 400 nits of peak brightness and covers 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut for vibrant visuals. The laptop offers various intriguing AI features such as Intelligent Meetings, Intelligent Gaming, Intelligent Work, and Intelligent Entertainment.
With these straightforward AI-tuned modes, users can focus on important tasks such as creating, working, and entertainment, as the device optimises performance and audio-video output according to the task at hand. Thanks to AI Noise Cancellation Pro and the triple-mic Spatial Array Microphone setup, users will be able to experience clear audio even in noisy environments.
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
The Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 is a part of the latest series of laptops from Samsung. As has been the case, the Galaxy Book laptops tend to offer a lot of features as well as a premium build and things are quite similar this time around. The metal chassis of the machine is just 12.8mm thick and weighs 1.66kg, making it highly portable and suitable for professionals who require a powerful PC that can easily fit into a laptop sleeve.
The 16-inch WQXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x display rests on a 360-degree hinge. This allows it to rotate all the way around and turn into a tablet. Once in this position, users can use the S-Pen stylus to interact with the touchscreen display.
Similar to other entries on the list, the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 also features an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7-155H processor and Intel® Arc™ integrated graphics serving as its GPU. The device offers up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of PCIe SSD storage.
In terms of AI features, the laptop shares similarities with the AI PCs, offering Auto Framing and eye contact correction in Studio effects to enhance video call and conferencing quality. The AI noise cancellation ensures crisp audio quality during calls.
