Intel launches Core Ultra Series 3 PC platform at CES 2026, improving efficiency
At this year’s CES, Intel rolled out its third‑generation Core Ultra series, branding it an “AI PC platform” that targets the laptop market’s growing appetite for on‑device intelligence. The announcement comes as manufacturers scramble to balance performance spikes with the battery life constraints that have haunted ultrabooks for years. While the chips promise a tighter integration of CPU, GPU and neural‑engine workloads, Intel also emphasized that the new silicon will still run the massive library of existing x86 applications without modification.
Industry observers note that the timing aligns with a wave of consumer devices slated for early‑year release, suggesting the company is positioning the platform as a bridge between traditional performance metrics and the emerging AI‑centric use cases. With pre‑orders slated to start on January 6 and a promise of worldwide rollout shortly thereafter, the rollout could set a benchmark for how quickly AI‑ready hardware reaches mainstream shoppers.
**Intel said the processors are aimed at improving power efficiency, CPU and GPU performance and on‑device AI capabilities, while maintaining compatibility with x86 software. Pre‑orders for consumer laptops powered by Core Ultra Series 3 processors will begin on January 6, with global availability sta**
Intel said the processors are aimed at improving power efficiency, CPU and GPU performance and on-device AI capabilities, while maintaining compatibility with x86 software. Pre-orders for consumer laptops powered by Core Ultra Series 3 processors will begin on January 6, with global availability starting January 27. Intel said edge systems based on the same platform are expected to launch in the second quarter of 2026.
"With Series 3, we are laser focused on improving power efficiency, adding more CPU performance, a bigger GPU in a class of its own, more AI compute and app compatibility you can count on with x86," said Jim Johnson, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Client Computing Group. The mobile lineup introduces a new class of Core Ultra X9 and X7 processors, featuring integrated Intel Arc graphics. According to the company, top configurations offer up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe-cores and up to 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of neural processing performance.
Intel said these systems deliver up to 60% higher multithread performance, up to 77% faster gaming performance and up to 27 hours of battery life, compared with prior generations. Alongside premium models, Intel also announced Core-branded processors based on the same Series 3 architecture for mainstream laptops, targeting lower price points while using the same platform foundation. For the first time, Intel said Core Ultra Series 3 processors are also being certified for embedded and industrial edge use cases.
Intel’s unveiling of the Core Ultra Series 3 platform marks the company’s first AI‑focused PC line built on its newly rolled‑out 18A process, a manufacturing effort claimed to be wholly domestic. The Panther Lake chips are slated to appear in more than 200 designs and will begin shipping in consumer laptops later this month, with pre‑orders opening on January 6 and global availability to follow. Intel says the silicon improves power efficiency, CPU and GPU performance and adds on‑device AI while staying compatible with existing x86 software.
Yet no benchmark data have been released, so it remains unclear how the efficiency gains compare with current offerings. Will the promised efficiency gains hold up under real workloads? Likewise, the impact of a US‑based process on cost and supply chain resilience has not been quantified.
Consumers will see the first devices in the coming weeks, but whether the promised performance translates into noticeable user benefits is still an open question. The platform’s success will depend on OEM adoption and real‑world testing.
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Common Questions Answered
What new manufacturing process does the Core Ultra Series 3 platform use and why is it significant?
The Core Ultra Series 3 platform is built on Intel's newly rolled‑out 18A process, which Intel claims is wholly domestic. This advanced node enables tighter integration of CPU, GPU, and neural‑engine components, boosting performance while improving power efficiency for AI‑focused laptops.
When will consumers be able to pre‑order laptops featuring the Core Ultra Series 3 processors?
Pre‑orders for consumer laptops powered by Core Ultra Series 3 processors begin on January 6, with global availability slated to start on January 27. This timeline follows the platform's debut at CES 2026 and aligns with Intel's rollout schedule.
How does Intel describe the power‑efficiency improvements of the Series 3 chips compared to previous generations?
Intel states that Series 3 chips deliver notable power‑efficiency gains by optimizing CPU and GPU workloads alongside on‑device AI processing. The tighter integration of these components, combined with the 18A process, allows laptops to maintain high performance without sacrificing battery life.
What are Intel's plans for edge systems based on the Core Ultra Series 3 platform?
Intel expects edge systems built on the same Core Ultra Series 3 platform to launch in the second quarter of 2026. These devices will leverage the same AI‑focused architecture to provide efficient compute capabilities for a range of enterprise and industrial applications.