Intel's Next-Gen Processors for Handheld Gaming PCs

An exclusive report from Laptop Mag reveals intriguing details shared by Intel's Robert Hallock. As the company's VP and General Manager of Client AI and Technical Marketing, Hallock announced the upcoming inclusion of new-generation processors in the next waves of handheld gaming PCs. Previous industry rumors suggested that Team Blue's Core Ultra "Lunar Lake" generation of APUs would be the end, as seen in the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ models. However, the first-generation devices with "Meteor Lake" chips struggled to compete with AMD Ryzen Z1 chipset-based rivals. Despite speculation of a withdrawal, Hallock disclosed that Intel is expanding a department to support gaming ISVs interested in developing handheld devices.

Intel's enhanced support network aims to broaden the market for portable gaming PCs. Hallock explained, "we're starting internal programs to provide more assistance to game developers targeting this performance profile, as handhelds are still relatively rare compared to traditional devices." The company is implementing a new strategy by providing pre-release hardware to game development studios to aid in the development of games for handheld devices leading into Panther Lake.

Hallock emphasized Intel's commitment to the next-gen processor family, stating that Panther Lake is a direct successor to Lunar Lake. The removal of memory on package in Panther Lake allows for customization by handheld vendors, with additional technologies to compensate for the change and save power. Intel aims to build on the success of Lunar Lake and create a stack of products based on this design.

While Panther Lake-based handhelds are still in development, models equipped with Arrow Lake-H (ARL-H) processors are expected to follow the release of Core Ultra "Lunar Lake" products. Hallock confirmed that early ARL-H APUs were showcased at CES 2025 and hinted at more devices to come with improved graphics performance and power efficiency.

Hallock stressed the importance of collaboration with game developers to optimize software for handheld devices. Intel is ready to provide support, tools, and expertise to help developers adapt their games for upcoming hardware releases. The company's goal is to prioritize handheld gaming in the coming years, leading up to the launch of Panther Lake.