These Intel Core Ultra Laptops redefine what an efficient, thin, and lightweight laptop can really be.
Intel has developed a series of processors for laptops called the Core Ultra series that boasts better efficiency, longer battery life, and improved graphical performance. These processors are not as powerful as the company’s desktop-grade Core i5/i7/i9 processors. Because of them being more efficient, the laptops carrying these processors are relatively thinner and lighter, which makes them more portable than ever, without compromising on performance.
The Core Ultra series includes four main chips – Core Ultra 3, Ultra 5, Ultra 7, and Ultra 9. As with the desktop series, the Core Ultra 3 processors are the entry-level models while the Core Ultra 5 SKUs are more mid-tier offerings. The Core Ultra 7 and Ultra 9 are the high-performing chips in the series. There are different models with various core counts and clock speeds. This means there are quite a few Intel Core Ultra laptops on the market to choose from, and this guide will help you make the right decision. Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Intel Core Ultra Laptops in 2024
Even though it is not the most powerful Intel Core Ultra-based laptop, the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO checks all the right boxes when it comes to an all-rounded, well-built laptop. As the name suggests, it meets Intel’s EVO certification, which is a set of rules based around the form factor and efficiency of the laptop. It is also a 16-inch laptop, so there’s plenty of screen real-estate for all kinds of tasks.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO is powered by the Core Ultra 7 155H processor that comes with 16 cores, of which six are performance cores or P-cores, eight efficiency cores or E-cores, and two low power efficient-cores or LP-E cores. The laptop has 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 2TB of NVMe storage. The visuals are handled by integrated Intel Arc Graphics, meaning that while this laptop is highly power efficient, the lack of a dedicated gaming GPU makes it hard to recommend it to users who only want a gaming laptop with a Core Ultra chip.
The 16-inch OLED display has a 3840×2400 resolution and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. All this performance is backed by a 99.9W/hr battery, which is the largest possible battery allowed in a laptop, and you would think that this would make the laptop quite a bit chunky, but the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO is just 19mm thick and weighs 1.5 kg. For connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, one USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-A) port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a full-size SD card reader.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO is a solid all-round package that offers great value, especially when it is on discount.
Gaming on an Intel Core Ultra powered laptop without a dedicated GPU is still very possible thanks to the integrated Arc graphics in the H-series of Core Ultra chips. However, for the optimal gaming experience, having a dedicated GPU is recommended and that’s where the Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 comes in. This gaming laptop is a beast powered by the Core Ultra 9 185H processor that has 16 cores and 22 threads with the cores split into the same configuration as the Core Ultra 7 155H.
You get 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of NVMe storage. The display is a 16-inch IPS panel with a 3200×2000 resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for all kinds of games. Speaking of visuals, the graphics are handled by the Nvidia RTX 4070 140W GPU, which means it can handle any game you throw at it. If you are a fan of single-player, campaign-driven games, then the high resolution will improve that experience. At the same time, if you prefer fast-paced shooters, the high refresh rate will help with that.
Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 is not a thin and light machine, and that’s to be expected because of the powerful components and the need to keep them cool.
