Intel has launched its new Core Ultra 200U series of laptop processors designed for low power consumption. This lineup consists of four different models, which don’t feature some of the extra capabilities found in their H series, like an Intel Arc integrated GPU. They are equipped with LP-E cores and mark Intel’s updated approach to the Meteor Lake architecture. The thermal design power (TDP) ratings are set at 15 watts for the base and 57 watts at maximum.
Processor Specifications
From the inclusion of hyperthreading, it’s reasonable to infer that the Core Ultra 7 265U, Core Ultra 7 255U, Core Ultra 5 235U, and Core Ultra 9 225U are using the Redwood Cove P-cores from Meteor Lake. Regarding the E and LP-E cores, they might be based on either Skymont or Crestmont architecture, but it is likely they are the latter option.
Platform Capabilities
The Intel Arrow Lake-U platform provides support for up to two PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs, two Thunderbolt 4.0 ports, as well as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity options. Memory capacity is capped at 96 GB of DDR5-6400 or 64 GB of LPDDR5X-8400. Laptops that incorporate Arrow Lake-U processors are set to be revealed shortly and are expected to be available in stores within the next few weeks.
Vaio has introduced two new laptops that utilize Intel’s older Meteor Lake architecture. This means that the Vaio SX14-R and Vaio Pro PK-R might not compete well in terms of power efficiency and graphics performance with alternatives like the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo, which is currently priced at $1,399.99 on Amazon.
Lightweight and Compact Design
Regardless of this, the new laptops from Vaio come with a lightweight and slim design, weighing in at less than 1 kg for their basic setups. To put this into perspective, the Vaio SX14-R weighs 1.178 kg when fully loaded with features, while the Vaio Pro PK-R reaches 1.237 kg. Both laptops have dimensions of 312 x 226 x 19 mm.
Processor and Storage Options
While Vaio hasn’t yet disclosed the battery specifications for these laptops, it has shared information about the available processors. Both models can be configured with the following Meteor Lake chipsets:
Moreover, customers can choose up to 64 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 2 TB of PCIe 4.0 storage, which is upgradeable. Additionally, the laptops come with a variety of ports, such as Thunderbolt 4, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI. They also support 4G LTE and GPS, although the Vaio SX14-R offers better wireless connectivity options than the Pro PK-R.
Display Choices
In terms of display, Vaio provides several options, all of which are 14-inch screens. Interestingly, while many of these screens have anti-glare features, the Vaio Pro PK-R can be outfitted with glossy touchscreen displays that allow for active pen input, even though it retains a standard laptop design. At present, both laptops are only available in Japan, and Vaio has not announced when they might be available in other countries.
In the arena of laptop computing, the Intel Meteor Lake Core Ultra 5-135H CPU has emerged as a potential game-changer, promising to bring robust performance to mainstream laptops. The recently unveiled benchmarks further bolster this claim, showcasing a glimpse of what this new chip is capable of.
Core Configuration and Performance
The Intel Core Ultra 5-135H is a part of the new Meteor Lake series and exhibits a 14-core configuration, incorporating 4 Performance-cores (P-cores), 8 Efficiency-cores (E-cores), and 2 additional cores. This configuration has been revealed through the Geekbench 5 database, indicating a promising blend of performance and efficiency tailored for mainstream laptop users1.
Comparative Performance Insights
Although specific benchmark scores for the Core Ultra 5-135H are yet to be disclosed, a look at other models in the Meteor Lake “Core Ultra” lineup provides a performance panorama. For instance, the Core Ultra 7 155H scored 2346 points in single-core and an impressive 12,853 points in multi-core tests, suggesting a high-performance bar set by the series2. Furthermore, the Core Ultra 5 125H CPU’s benchmarks indicate a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock around the 4.5 GHz range, hinting at the performance metrics we might expect from the 5-135H model3.
CPU NAME
PROCESS NODE
CORE CONFIGURATION
THREADS (TOTAL)
BASE / BOOST CLOCK
L3 CACHE
TDP
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Intel 4
6+8+2 (16)
22
3.8 GHz / 5.1 GHz
24 MB
15-28W
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
Intel 4
6+8+2 (16)
22
3.8 GHz / 5.0 GHz
24 MB
15-28W
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel 4
6+8+2 (16)
22
3.8 GHz / 4.8 GHz
24 MB
15-28W
Intel Core Ultra 5 135H
Intel 4
4+8+2 (14)
18
3.6 GHz / TBD
20 MB
15-28W
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
Intel 4
4+8+2 (14)
18
3.6 GHz / 4.5 GHz
20 MB
15-28W
Anticipated Impact on Laptop Market
With the unveiling of the Meteor Lake Core Ultra CPUs, Intel is poised to refresh the mainstream laptop market. Initial releases are expected to feature both Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 5 CPUs, bringing a new level of computing power to a broader range of laptops. The performance prospects of these chips, as reflected in the leaked benchmarks, could potentially reshape the market dynamics, offering more power to users without a hefty price tag4.
Conclusion
The Intel Meteor Lake Core Ultra 5-135H CPU, with its 14-core configuration, heralds a significant leap towards equipping mainstream laptops with higher computing power. While the full extent of its performance is yet to be unveiled, the leaked benchmarks of its siblings in the Meteor Lake series offer a promising glimpse into what’s on the horizon.
