In a major announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Intel has officially launched its next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) processors for laptops, codenamed Panther Lake. The first line of these chips, branded as the Intel Core Ultra Series 3, promises significant leaps in power efficiency, graphics performance, and on-device AI capabilities for the next wave of mobile PCs.
Power and Performance Redefined for AI PCs
During the launch, a senior Intel executive emphasized the company's focus on delivering a holistic improvement. The new chips are engineered to provide better power efficiency, enhanced CPU performance, a substantially more powerful integrated GPU, and increased AI computing power, all while maintaining reliable compatibility with the vast x86 software ecosystem.
The flagship mobile processors in this family are the new Intel Core Ultra X9 and X7 chips. These are designed as premium solutions for power users and multitaskers who need to handle demanding workloads like gaming, content creation, and productivity applications while on the move. The top configurations boast up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe-cores for graphics, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 50 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) for AI tasks.
The performance claims are substantial. Intel states that these processors can deliver up to a 60% improvement in multithreaded performance and a staggering over 77% faster gaming performance compared to previous generations. Perhaps most impressive for mobile users is the claim of up to 27 hours of battery life on certain systems, a figure that could redefine all-day computing.
Mainstream Options and Industrial-Grade Edge AI
Beyond the premium Ultra series, Intel is also refreshing its mainstream Intel Core processor lineup for more affordable laptops. These chips leverage the same core architecture as the Ultra Series 3, allowing manufacturers to create more efficient and performant laptop designs at accessible price points.
In a strategic expansion, Intel is also introducing Series 3 edge processors certified for embedded and industrial applications. These are built for harsh environments, supporting extended temperature ranges, deterministic performance, and 24/7 operational reliability. This move positions Intel directly into the growing market for AI at the edge—in factories, retail, and smart cities.
The AI prowess of the Core Ultra Series 3 is highlighted for these critical edge workloads. Intel claims it offers up to 1.9x higher performance for running large language models (LLMs), up to 2.3x better performance per watt per dollar in video analytics, and a massive up to 4.5x higher throughput on vision-language-action (VLA) models. By integrating CPU, GPU, and a high-performance NPU on a single chip, Intel argues it provides a superior total cost of ownership compared to traditional multi-chip designs.
Availability and Market Impact
Consumers eager to get their hands on laptops powered by the new Intel Panther Lake technology will have to wait a bit. Pre-orders for the first consumer laptops featuring Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors will begin on January 6, 2026. The systems are scheduled to become available for purchase globally starting January 27, 2026, with more designs from various manufacturers expected throughout the first half of the year.
For industrial and edge computing solutions, systems powered by the Series 3 edge processors will start shipping in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026. This launch solidifies Intel's aggressive roadmap in the AI era, aiming to capture market share across consumer, business, and industrial segments with a unified architecture focused on AI acceleration and power efficiency.
