To say the least, Intel didn't pull any punches!
We were warned. For several weeks now, Intel has been announcing new additions to its Lunar Lake (notebook) and Arrow Lake (desktop) processor lines. The launches of a few models in September, October and November will therefore have been no more than an appetizer for the American firm which, despite major financial, technological and organizational difficulties, is still able to offer processor ranges for all markets and all sectors.
Intel
At CES in Las Vegas, Nevada (January 7-10), Intel pulled out all the stops, announcing the immediate or imminent release of more than 40 processors. Unsurprisingly, it was the Arrow Lake-S - or Core Ultra 200S - that took pride of place in the presentations by the company's interim CEO, Michelle Johnston Holthaus. No fewer than 12 new Arrow Lake-S models were presented, offering an alternative to the high-end Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K and Core Ultra 5 245K models distributed in November. More importantly, alongside "non-K" references with locked multiplier coefficients, Intel launched "T" versions featuring a particularly low TDP of 35 watts: just to underline Arrow Lake's energy efficiency?
© Intel
Alongside these 12 Core Ultra 200S chips, the Core Ultra 200HX and Core Ultra 200H were presented. Here, the aim is to boost the range by offering more affordable computers that are still particularly muscular... at least for models equipped with the most powerful of the new processors, the Core Ultra 9 285HX, a monster with 24 cores. These models are also distinguished by their relatively low TDP, while a slightly less muscular series (Core Ultra 200H) is also available.
Intel
The business world has not been forgotten, of course, with the Core Ultra 200V Lunar Lakes. Nine models were presented by Intel, with references ranging from Core Ultra 5 226V to Core Ultra 9 288V. These chips feature a particularly robust NPU (up to 48 TFLOPS), but do without a powerful integrated graphics solution: you'll have to make do with an ARC 140V iGPU (Core Ultra 9 and Core Ultra 7), or even an ARC 130V (Core Ultra 5). On the other hand, enterprise users can count on the presence of vPro functionalities which, according to Intel, should enhance security while simplifying management.
Last but not least, Intel took the opportunity to unveil even more accessible ranges, models designed to mount inexpensive machines and named Core Ultra 200U, Core 200H and Core 200U. Note that we're not necessarily talking about the latest generations of Intel chips here: in many cases, we're talking about simple Raptor Lake Refresh processors, whose technology was launched over a year ago. Intel's message, however, is very clear: the company is not at its best, but don't bury it too quickly!
