Intel Core Series 3 Brings 40 TOPS AI to Budget Laptops

Intel has introduced its new Core Series 3 processors for entry-level laptops and edge computing, offering up to 40 TOPS of AI performance along with support for Wi-Fi 7 and other modern connectivity features, expanding its latest mobile CPU lineup.

This move shows how on-device AI is no longer limited to premium laptops and is now making its way into more affordable machines. With this new lineup, Intel is bringing AI features to a wider audience, including everyday users, businesses, and commercial setups.

Intel is building this platform around its hybrid CPU design, which mixes performance cores with low-power efficiency cores. In most configurations, you get up to two performance cores and four efficiency cores, helping the system stay responsive while still keeping battery use in check based on the workload. This approach is in line with what Intel has been doing across its newer mobile processors.

One of the biggest upgrades in these processors is the addition of a dedicated Neural Processing Unit based on Intel’s NPU 5 architecture, reflecting Intel’s broader push into AI-focused computing platforms. By combining the CPU, GPU, and NPU, the platform can reach up to 40 TOPS of AI performance. In real-world use, this means tasks like video enhancement, productivity features, and system optimisation can run directly on the device, without depending heavily on cloud processing.

According to Intel’s internal testing, these chips show noticeable improvements over the previous generation. The company claims up to 2.1× better productivity performance, up to 2.7× faster AI processing, and as much as 64% lower power use during video streaming. Battery life should also see a boost in everyday tasks and media usage, though actual results will vary depending on the system configuration.

Graphics are powered by Intel’s integrated Xe-based solutions, which are well-suited for everyday tasks, media consumption, and even some light content creation. The platform can handle multiple high-resolution displays and comes with updated media engines for quicker encoding and smoother playback. In day-to-day use, it should comfortably manage work, streaming, and lighter creative workloads without any trouble.

Connectivity is clearly a big part of this platform, especially as newer laptops adopt faster wireless standards. These processors support Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, Thunderbolt 4, and PCIe Gen 4, so they’re ready for modern accessories and high-speed networks. Intel has also built its Partner Security Engine into its hardware, adding an extra layer of protection for both everyday users and enterprise systems.

Intel isn’t limiting these Series 3 processors to laptops alone, similar chips are also used in compact AI-driven systems. The company is also targeting edge use cases like kiosks, smart retail systems, and industrial setups. With built-in AI acceleration at this price level, these chips could make it easier to handle real-time tasks locally, without depending too much on cloud processing.

More than 70 system designs from partners like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo are set to use these new processors, which shows strong early support from major OEMs. Devices powered by the Core Series 3 lineup are expected to start launching this year, with broader availability gradually expanding over time.

The bigger shift here is that AI features are no longer just for premium laptops, which aligns with the rise of budget AI laptops. This could push companies like AMD and Qualcomm to bring similar capabilities to more affordable devices.

Intel Core Series 3: Key Specifications

Source: Intel