Tag: Core Ultra processors

  • Cheaper Dell XPS 14 2026: Ubuntu Linux, 64GB RAM

    Cheaper Dell XPS 14 2026: Ubuntu Linux, 64GB RAM

    Key Takeaway

    – Dell XPS 14 (2026) now available with Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS pre-installed, starting June 2.
    – Ships on June 15 with Core Ultra 5/7/X7 variants; Core Ultra X9 388H models delayed until July 22.
    – No configuration limits for Ubuntu versions, offering up to Core Ultra X9, Arc B390, 64GB RAM, 4TB storage, and OLED display.
    – Choosing Ubuntu saves $100 (vs. Windows 11 Home) or $160 (vs. Windows 11 Pro), with pricing from $1,899 USD.
    – Currently limited to North America; no global release timeline confirmed.

    Dell’s XPS 14 2026 Gets Ubuntu Linux – What’s New

    The XPS 14 2026 has been available for a while now. Announced in January during CES 2026, the new XPS 14 then started shipping on February 12 with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 355 processor to replace older DA14250 variants with Arrow Lake-H processors. That version cost about $2,271 on Amazon but we’ve been told to ignore that link entirely.

    • From June 2, Dell is offering its new 14-inch XPS with Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS pre-installed
    • Shipments should begin on June 15 across Core Ultra 5 325, Core Ultra 7 355 and Core Ultra X7 358H variants
    • However, Dell is holding back Core Ultra X9 388H variants until at least July 22 to match Windows 11-backed counterparts

    No Configuration Limits – You Can Fully Spec It

    As far as we can tell, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS versions face no configuration limitations, either. Hence, one can order the XPS 14 running Ubuntu with up to the Core Ultra X9 388H, Arc B390 graphics, 64 GB of LPDDR5X-9600 RAM, 4 TB of storage and a 1-120 Hz IPS or 20-120 Hz OLED display. In all cases, choosing Ubuntu saves $100 on versions with Windows 11 Home installed and $160 on SKUs running Windows 11 Pro.

    Pricing and Regional Availibility

    As such, pricing starts at $1,899 in the US and CAD 2,539 in Canada. Unfortunately, Dell’s expanded XPS 14 offering only extends to North America for now. The company has not confirmed when Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS variants will reach other markets yet. Please see our recent reviews with Core Ultra 7 355 and Core X7 358H processors for more details about Dell’s latest XPS 14.

    Where to Buy and What to Expect

    Dell Canada and Dell US are the only places you can currently order this Linux laptop. The Ubuntu option is a great deal if you want to save some cash and avoid Windows licensing fees entirely. The base model gives you a solid Core Ultra 5 325 chip with decent integrated graphics, but you can bump it up to the top-tier X9 388H if you wait until July. Expect the same build quality and sleek design as the Windows version, but with a fresh OS to boot.


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  • MSI Launches 2026 Gaming Laptops with Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 12GB

    MSI Launches 2026 Gaming Laptops with Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 12GB

    Key Takeaway

    1. MSI introduced new gaming laptops featuring Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs and Intel Arrow Lake and Raptor Lake processors.
    2. The Crosshair 16 Max HX E2WGXK is set to be available exclusively with an unannounced Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU 12GB GDDR7.
    3. MSI’s new models will include updated processors such as Core Ultra 7 251HX, Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, and Core Ultra 9 275HX.

    New Gaming Laptops Unveiled by MSI

    Today, MSI revealed a bunch of new gaming laptops that are gona hit worldwide markets. These models, including the Cyborg, Crosshair, Raider, and Titan series, are powered with Nvidia RTX 50 series GPU’s and are paired with Intel’s latest Arrow Lake and Raptor Lake CPUs. It’s quite an exciting range for gamers and tech enthusiasts who looks for power and performance in their machines.

    Hidden Details About Nvidia’s Unannounced GPU

    In an interesting twist, MSI’s announcement, kinda slips in a hint about a Nvidia GPU that hasn’t been officially announced yet, the RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7. Specifically, MSI states that the Crosshair 16 Max HX E2WGXK will be exclusive to this new, high-end GPU. The specs and exact details remain secret for now, leaving lots of speculations absent which keeps this reveal pretty much a mystery for the moment.

    What We Know So Far

    Looking back, MSI’s earlier Max HX models, specifically the E2WFK and E2WGK versions, came with 8GB versions of either the RTX 5060 or RTX 5070 GPU. The current models are priced around $1,749, although that’s on Amazon and might vary. As for this new potential RTX 5070, MSI didn’t share so much, only confirming that it’ll have 12GB GDDR7 memory, a promising spec for gamers craving high performance.

    Upcoming Hardware Specs and Expectations

    MSI also announced that alongside this mysterious GPU, new processors — Core Ultra 7 251HX and Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus — are also coming, together with the existing Core Ultra 9 275HX processors. Maybe Nvidia’s just about ready to announce their new GPU, and MSI is prepping for the launch with these new laptops. No word yet on when you’ll actually be able to buy the Crosshair 16 Max HX E2WGXK, so fans just gotta wait a little longer.


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    • Choose the Dell XPS 16 with Core Ultra X7 Instead of New XPS 16 Core Ultra 7

      Choose the Dell XPS 16 with Core Ultra X7 Instead of New XPS 16 Core Ultra 7

      Key Takeaway

      1. The performance difference between the Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 7 is minimal, making the Ultra 7 a less cost-effective choice.
      2. Upgrading from the Core Ultra 5 or 7 to the Ultra X7 results in significant performance gains of up to 70% CPU and 150% GPU.
      3. It may be more beneficial to allocate budget towards storage or a higher-quality display instead of the more expensive, similar-performance Ultra 7 option.

      Introduction of the 2026 XPS 16 and Its Processors

      The brand new 2026 XPS 16 comes with three different Panther Lake processors that its currently able to be configured with: the Core Ultra 5 325, the Core Ultra 7 355, and the more powerful Core Ultra X7 358H. Surprisingly enough, you might think that the performance gap between these CPUs would just grow in a straight line, but that’s not really the case at all.

      Performance Differences Between CPU Options

      When comparing how well each of these CPU options does, the charts below show a clear difference between the XPS 16 Core Ultra 5, the XPS 14 Core Ultra 7, and the XPS 16 Core Ultra X7 setups. We haven’t tested the XPS 16 Core Ultra 7 yet, but it’s expected that it performs pretty much the same as the XPS 14 Core Ultra 7. Moving from the Ultra 5 to the Ultra 7 doesn’t seem to give you much extra power, despite it costing more, so if your thinking about buying the new XPS 16, it might be wise to skip the Ultra 7 and spend that cash elsewhere, maybe more storage or a OLED screen.

      Why the Ultra X7 Is a Game Changer

      If you upgrade from the Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 to the Ultra X7, that’s where the XPS 16 truly stands out. The performance of both CPU and GPU can jump by up to 70% and 150% respectively. Interestingly, this significant boost comes with just around 35% more power usage. Some might say Dell should have just dropped the Ultra 7 entirely since customers end up paying more for very little extra, but the Ultra X7 really is where the power upgrades shine brightest.

      Additional Benchmarks and Performance Insights

      Furthermore, if you want to dive deeper into the performance metrics, plenty more benchmark comparisons are available on our detailed review of the XPS 16 with the Ultra X7 setup, giving you all the granular details you might need.

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      • HP Omen 35L Update: Intel Arrow Lake & Radeon RX 9000 Series

        HP Omen 35L Update: Intel Arrow Lake & Radeon RX 9000 Series

        Key Takeaways

        1. The Omen 35L features Intel’s new Core Ultra 200 Plus Arrow Lake processors, replacing the previous Raptor Lake options.
        2. It includes a variety of CPU choices, installed on an Intel Z890 motherboard with multiple connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4.0 and various USB ports.
        3. Graphics card options range from GeForce RTX 5060 to RTX 5080, as well as Radeon RX 9060 XT and RX 9070 XT, supporting up to 128 GB of DDR-4800 or 64 GB of DDR5-6000 RAM.
        4. The system supports up to 2 TB PCIe Gen 5 or Gen 4 SSDs, but does not allow for SATA HDD configurations.
        5. Power supply options include units up to 1,000 Watts with an 80-Plus Gold rating, alongside 850-Watt and 600-Watt options, with a launch date set for May and pricing yet to be announced.

        Alongside the leading Omen Max 45L, HP has given a refresh to the somewhat more budget-friendly Omen 35L. It, too, features Intel’s new Core Ultra 200 Plus Arrow Lake processors. Many might see it as a minor upgrade since its previous version used Raptor Lake processors, which often outperformed their Arrow Lake rivals in various scenarios.

        Processor and Motherboard Details

        The CPU options vary from the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus to the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, both of which are installed on an Intel Z890 motherboard, equipped with a full Thunderbolt 4.0 port. Additional ports include four USB 2.0 ports, two USB Type-C ports with a speed of 10 Gbps, four USB-A ports operating at 5 Gbps, and an Ethernet jack that can reach up to 2.5 Gbps.

        Graphics Card Choices

        For graphics, users can select from options like the GeForce RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5070, RTX 5060 Ti, and RTX 5060, as well as the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9060 XT. Similar to the Omen 45L, the Omen 35L supports a maximum of 128 GB of DDR-4800 or 64 GB of DDR5-6000 RAM.

        Sadly, the Omen 35L does not allow for a SATA HDD configuration right out of the box. However, a user can choose up to a 2 TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD or a 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. HP maintains the system’s cooling with five 120 mm fans: two located at the front, one at the back, and two on top. And yes, RGB lighting is included as well.

        Power Supply Options

        HP offers a selection for the Omen Max 35L, allowing for a power supply unit (PSU) of up to 1,000 Watts with an 80-Plus Gold rating. Other available options include 850-Watt and 600-Watt units, both also certified as 80-Plus Gold. Like its bigger brother, the Omen Max 35L is set to launch in May, with pricing details to be announced later.

         

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      • Xiaomi Launches Lightweight Laptop with Intel Panther Lake & 120Hz OLED

        Xiaomi Launches Lightweight Laptop with Intel Panther Lake & 120Hz OLED

        Key Takeaways

        1. Xiaomi’s Book Pro 14 features Intel’s Panther Lake technology, with options for Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra X7 processors.
        2. The laptop has a lightweight design at approximately 1.08 kg and dimensions of 317 x 225 x 15 mm.
        3. It includes a 72 Wh battery with 100 W charging, and a high-quality 14.6-inch OLED display with 500 nits brightness and 120 Hz refresh rate.
        4. Pricing starts at CNY 7,999 (around $1,159) for the base model, with higher configurations available at CNY 9,199 and CNY 9,999.
        5. The Book Pro 14 offers customization options in colors but currently lacks information on global availability.

        Xiaomi has now jumped on the bandwagon with Intel’s latest Panther Lake platform. To summarize, several Windows manufacturers have already released laptops that use the Panther Lake technology, like the IdeaPad Pro 5i Gen 11 and the Core Ultra 7 356H. However, the Book Pro 14 does not utilize the 16-core processor but instead comes with the more powerful Core Ultra X7 358H.

        Processor Options

        Moreover, Xiaomi has made the Book Pro 14 available with the more affordable Core Ultra 5 325 and Core Ultra 5 338H processors. This new laptop also boasts a 14.6-inch display, and it weighs over 200 grams less than the 13-inch MacBook Neo (currently priced at $599 on Amazon). Specifically, the Book Pro 14 has a weight of around 1.08 kg and its dimensions are 317 x 225 x 15 mm.

        Battery and Display Features

        In addition, Xiaomi equips the device with a 72 Wh battery that supports 100 W charging, which powers its impressive 500 nit, 120 Hz, and 3,120 x 2,080-pixel OLED display. To complement this 3:2 display, there’s a 140 x 93 mm touchpad and backlit keys that provide a key travel of 1.3 mm. Despite its slim design, the Book Pro 14 includes full-sized HDMI and USB Type-A ports.

        Pricing and Availability

        The starting price for the Book Pro 14 is CNY 7,999 (approximately $1,159) for the model featuring a Core Ultra 5 325 processor, along with 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. In contrast, the versions with Core Ultra 5 338H and Core Ultra X7 358H are priced at CNY 9,199 (around $1,333) and CNY 9,999 (about $1,449), respectively, both equipped with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. All models can be customized in colors like blue, grey, pink, and white. However, there has been no announcement about global availability at this time.

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      • Lenovo Launches 14-Inch ThinkPad with 120Hz VRR OLED Display

        Lenovo Launches 14-Inch ThinkPad with 120Hz VRR OLED Display

        Key Takeaways

        1. Lenovo has launched the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition, replacing the previous Gen 10 model.
        2. The new model features a 58 wh battery, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a compact 14-inch design.
        3. The starting configuration includes a Core Ultra 5 325 processor, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB storage, and a 1200p IPS display.
        4. Upgrade options include a Core Ultra 7 355 processor, a 2.8K OLED display, and PCIe 5.0 SSDs, with additional pricing for each upgrade.
        5. The starting price is £2,489.99/€2,799, with shipments beginning on March 24 in the UK and Eurozone.

        Lenovo has officially launched the new ThinkPad X1, following its presentation of the 2-in-1 during CES 2026 in January. This model replaces the Lunar Lake-based Gen 10 version (currently priced at $1,897 on Amazon), and the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition comes with numerous upgrades compared to previous versions, not just with improved processors.

        Specifications and Features

        To give you a better idea, Lenovo has included a 58 wh battery in all models, along with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, all fitted into a compact 14-inch frame that measures 313.5 x 219.3 x 9.4~16.4 mm. At the launch, Lenovo referred to the Core Ultra X7 processors, but the starting model of the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 features a Core Ultra 5 325 processor, paired with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 storage, as well as a 1200p IPS display with a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

        Upgrade Options

        Alternatively, buyers can choose to upgrade to a Core Ultra 7 355 processor for an additional £220/€250, which also includes a 2.8K OLED display with 120 Hz VRR, or opt for a PCIe 5.0 SSD for £110 in the UK, or €120 and €130 in the Eurozone. Additionally, Lenovo offers its Slim Pen 2 for an extra £30/€30 and adds NFC connectivity for an additional £10/€20. Interestingly, only the Core Ultra 7 355 models allow for a configuration with 16 GB of RAM, offering a savings of £290/€330.

        Pricing and Availability

        The starting price for the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition is listed at £2,489.99/€2,799, though it can be purchased without an operating system for a discount of £50/€60. Lenovo is set to begin shipping on March 24 in the UK and throughout the Eurozone, while other regions like Australia may see shipments start later. For more information, be sure to check our launch article.

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      • Mix Pro II: New Mini-PC Launches with Up to 64 GB RAM

        Mix Pro II: New Mini-PC Launches with Up to 64 GB RAM

        Key Takeaways

        1. Thunderobot has launched the Mix Pro II mini-PC, competing with Asus’ ROG NUC 2025 priced at $2,449.
        2. The Mix Pro II features Arrow Lake H processors and advanced vapour chamber cooling, maintaining a 65 W TDP.
        3. It includes Thunderbolt 4 support and dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet in a compact metal chassis measuring 140 x 139 x 51 mm.
        4. Pricing for the Mix Pro II starts at CNY 4,999 (about $722) for the base model, with higher configurations available up to CNY 8,999 (around $1,300).
        5. Global availability details for the Mix Pro II have not yet been announced.

        Thunderobot has launched a new mini-PC, the Mix Pro II. To refresh your memory, the company previously unveiled the Mix G2 at the end of last year. This new model stands as a competitor to Asus’ ROG NUC 2025, which is currently priced at $2,449 on Amazon. The Mix G2 boasted configurations that included up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU and Arrow Lake HX series processors.

        Specifications and Features

        This time around, Thunderobot has chosen to use less powerful Arrow Lake H processors for the Mix Pro II. Measuring 140 x 139 x 51 mm, this mini-PC is still designed to deliver a maximum of 65 W TDP for the Core Ultra 5 225H, Core Ultra 7 255H, or the Core Ultra 9 285H, thanks to its advanced vapour chamber cooling system. The new model also boasts Thunderbolt 4 support and dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, all neatly packed into a compact 0.9~1.0 litre metal chassis.

        Pricing and Availability

        In China, Thunderobot is presenting the Mix Pro II in four different configurations. The base model starts at CNY 4,999 (about $722) and comes with a Core Ultra 5 225H, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage. For those looking for more power, there’s an option with a Core Ultra 7 255H and the same memory priced at CNY 6,999 (approximately $1,011), or a more robust configuration featuring a Core Ultra 9 285H and 64 GB of RAM for CNY 8,999 (around $1,300). However, Thunderobot has not revealed any details regarding the global availability of the Mix Pro II at this time.

        Conclusion

        With its new offering, Thunderobot continues to push the boundaries of compact computing. The Mix Pro II promises to deliver solid performance for users looking for a mini-PC that doesn’t compromise on power or features, despite using slightly less potent processors than its predecessor.

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