Intel’s presence at CES 2025 showcased its commitment to gaming laptops with the launch of new Lunar Lake processors, following the Copilot+ push and the initial release of Lunar Lake Core Ultra 200V CPUs. The new lineup includes 200U, 200H, and 200HX processors, with the latter two designed specifically for gaming laptops. The HX-series, in particular, targets gaming laptops paired with discrete graphics cards. The flagship Core Ultra 9 285HX boasts an impressive 24 cores and a boost clock speed of up to 5.5GHz.
Specs for Intel Lunar Lake HX processors
The full range of HX processors is detailed in the image above. Similar to other Lunar Lake mobile chips and Intel’s Arrow Lake desktop CPUs, these new processors prioritize efficient (E) cores for performance, with performance (P) cores activated for demanding tasks requiring higher boost clock speeds. Hyper-Threading is not supported. Laptops featuring these chips and discrete GPUs are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025, with many likely showcased at CES in Las Vegas.
Intel Core Ultra 200H: Balancing Power and Portability
Intel’s H-series processors offer a step down in performance, scaling up to 16 cores and a maximum boost clock speed of 5.4GHz with the Core Ultra 9 285H. These processors consume slightly more power than their V-series counterparts and are not system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs, allowing manufacturers to customize memory capacity. Importantly, the H-series retains Intel’s Battlemage graphics architecture.
Specs for Intel Lunar Lake H processors
These processors are also slated for release in the first quarter of 2025, targeting thin and light laptops without discrete graphics cards. The H-series typically bridges the gap between high-end thin and light laptops and portable gaming machines.
Intel presenting performance for Core Ultra 200H processors at CES 2025.
Intel Core Ultra 200U: Efficiency and Affordability
Finally, Intel introduced its new U-series CPUs, though specific details were not revealed. These processors prioritize efficiency and affordability in inexpensive laptops, often sacrificing performance for portability due to form factor or price constraints. While a release date wasn’t specified, U-series processors are expected to launch after the HX and H-series options.
Conclusion: Intel’s Renewed Focus on Gaming Laptops
Intel’s announcements at CES 2025 underscore its commitment to the gaming laptop market. The new Lunar Lake processors, particularly the HX and H-series, promise significant performance improvements for gamers on the go. With a range of options catering to different needs and budgets, Intel is poised to strengthen its position in the gaming laptop arena.
