Intel has delivered what could be an antidote to surging PC prices, however unintentionally. The chip giant has launched Core Series 3 mobile processors (codenamed Wildcat Lake) that share the same architectural roots and 18A manufacturing process as Core Ultra Series 3 (aka Panther Lake), but are aimed at “value buyers” watching every cent.
- CPU
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13th Generation Core i5
- GPU
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Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
The CPUs provide expected boosts to AI, with the top-end Core 7 360 delivering a total of up to 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second) and 2.7X the AI GPU power versus the older Core 7 150U. About 17 TOPS comes from the AI-specific NPU. However, it also delivers tangible speed and battery life improvements. Intel claims up to a 2.1X speedup in productivity benchmarks, and up to 12.5 hours of office work (18 hours for Netflix streaming).
Core Series 3 modernizes connectivity with support for up to two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.
Intel Is Struggling To Develop New Chips
This is not exactly surprising.
The first systems based on Core Series 3 are available starting today, although Intel cautions that availability will depend on individual manufacturers. Many brands have already committed to launching laptops, including Acer (the Aspire Go line), ASUS (Vivobook and ExpertBook), HP (Omnibook 5 14), and Lenovo (including the IdeaPad Slim 3i and ThinkPad E). Dell, Samsung, and other vendors have also promised new portables.
Just in time to address the RAM crisis—and Apple
More choice for affordable laptops
The surge in memory prices due to AI data center demand, also known as the “RAM-pocalypse,” has sent laptop prices skyrocketing, in some cases by hundreds of dollars. Microsoft’s Surface laptops and tablets now cost around $500 more than they did in 2024, while Samsung raised Galaxy Book 6 prices by as much as $600. The hikes have put some.previously affordable laptops out of reach for many buyers.
As a budget CPU range, Core Series 3 won’t perform on the same level as the Core Ultra Series 3, AMD’s Ryzen AI 400 series, or Apple’s M5. However, it should bring some of Intel’s major design upgrades to a considerably lower price point. For some, that could make the difference between buying new or having to shop for used and clearance PCs.
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macOS
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A18 Pro
Intel’s move also comes just weeks after Apple introduced the $599 MacBook Neo. The entry-level Mac laptop has been described by ASUS leadership as a “shock to the entire [PC] industry,” with Intel and others under pressure to respond. While Core Series 3 was in development long before Apple’s Neo introduction this March, it’s well-timed — it makes lower-end Windows machines more compelling.
The processor line also represents the next stage of a potential resurgence for Intel. The company struggled for years to improve its chip making processes, and suffered to the point where it conducted mass layoffs and hired Lip-Bu Tan as CEO to help engineer a turnaround. Core Ultra Series 3 was well-received, if typically limited to higher-end systems. Now, Intel can make its progress available to many more people.
