Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm; admittedly, no one wants to get left behind. Top laptop manufacturers have rushed to work with Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, the newest and shiniest CPUs released in December 2023, with AI at their heart.
The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores, 22 threads, and Intel Arc graphics, designed to deliver power efficiency and unprecedented scale for AI experiences on a PC.
As the first processor designed on the Intel 4 process technology, Core Ultra 7 uses a 3D hybrid architecture realized with Foveros packaging/stacking.
It optimizes scheduling and operational efficiency while not letting background tasks jeopardize energy consumption.
Since its introduction in 2019, Foveros has let Intel use 3D die stacking (face-to-face) to maximize performance in a smaller footprint.
In 2024, users can look forward to making the most of Intel’s AI-powered processors, now available in most leading laptop brands, from Dell to MSI.
This launch has unfurled a new era, leveraging AI capabilities without compromising performance and battery life — a proposition that will appeal to multimedia content creators, gamers, and developers alike.
The experience gets finer when perceived on Intel Evo edition laptops, which excel at responsiveness, mobility, and connectivity.
6 Best Intel Core Ultra 7 Laptops 2024
The market has rapidly flooded with Ultra processors, and finding the right option can be tricky.
Intel Core Ultra 7 processors can translate into noticeable performance upticks for multimedia professionals like artists, thrill seekers like gamers, and also regular users prioritizing video conversations and working on the go.
Intel claims its most recent CPU is the most efficient x86 processor for ultra-thin systems, outputting 70% faster for generative AI applications.
I have collected the six best Intel Core Ultra 7 laptops in the market, catering to personal and professional needs in healthcare, retail, and other visual-intensive domains.
They blend AI experiences with mainstays of computing, like communication, battery backup, and portability.
1. Acer Swift Go 14
Price Tag: $999.99
Pros
- Powerful performance with a beautiful display
- Intuitive AI tools for multimedia editing
- Portable build
- Multiple connections
Cons
- The battery backup is below average
- Mundane design
- It lacks a discrete graphics option
At just under $1,000, you can bring home the brilliant Acer Swift Go 14 with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 9-hour battery backup.
The overarching AI focus of this laptop is crystal-clear from its dedicated tools like Live Art to remove objects from the backgrounds of pictures and AlterView to modify 2D images with parallax and depth.
You can also work with GIMP and Stable Diffusion — open-source AI tools and plugins — to perform multimedia editing through text descriptions.
The 2.8K OLED display is gorgeous, featuring a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, a rapid 0.2 ms response time, and a True Black 500 HDR. The benefits of all-new Intel Arc graphics for gaming and multimedia are evident, emanating from Al-enhancements (XeSS) and a more capable media engine.
This 2.91 lbs Acer laptop provides multiple connections: two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI, a card reader, and consistent Killer W-Fi.
Intel Unison extends fabulous multi-device integration features such as Swift Connect and universal control. Its excellent QHD camera deserves a mention.
It utilizes temporal noise reduction and enhancements like auto-framing and gaze correction for immersive communication.
2. Dell XPS 16
Price Tag: $1,899.00
Pros
- Powerful, customizable performance
- User-friendly keyboard
- Includes My Dell for AI-based optimization
- Efficient cooling and clear sustainability focus
Cons
- Very expensive
- Heavier build than some other competitors
- The port arrangement might feel lacking
The Dell XPS 16 laptop makes the most of the Intel Core Ultra 7 experience, pairing the AI-enhanced processor with up to 64GB RAM and 4TB SSD storage.
This system employs MyDell, an AI-based optimization tool, to materialize the finest A/V output, battery backup, and overall performance. The ‘smart’ advantage extends to the webcam, offering gaze correction and background adjustments during video calls.
This Dell laptop comes with Intel Arc graphics, but you can also opt for an NVIDIA RTX 4050-70 graphics card at an additional cost.
Likewise, you may choose an FHD+ or an OLED UHD+ monitor with 400 to 500 nits of brightness. Dell delivers satisfying creative and multimedia experiences with Dolby Atmos and Waves MaxxAudio.
Sustainability has always been a priority for this PC maker. This laptop has an efficient, quiet cooling mechanism. Further, it uses low-impact packaging with recyclable materials to manage its environmental footprint.
A feather in the cap for this XPS computer is the user-friendly keyboard with a haptic touchpad, a touch function row, and optimal spacing.
3. HP Spectre x360
Price Tag: $1,849.99
Pros
- Flexible design for modern lifestyles
- The touch display is perfect for creative professionals
- Includes privacy features
- Good battery backup
Cons
- Expensive
- A stylus does not come with the purchase.
You can enjoy the Intel Core Ultra 7 experience on a convertible form factor with the 14” HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop. It has 16GB RAM, a 2TB SSD, and Intel Arc graphics to fuel your everyday pursuits for work and entertainment.
The design lets you switch easily between a laptop and a tablet layout, perfect for hectic, travel-intensive lifestyles. It weighs just 3.19 lbs and lasts for 13 hours on one charge.
The Spectre line boasts good-looking machines, and this one’s no exception. The 2.8K touchscreen supports HDR 400 and lets you doodle with the HP MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen (you must buy it separately, though).
Thanks to audio tuning by Poly Studio, this laptop delivers fantastic sound when you stream your favorite content.
The 9MP webcam uses AI tools to uplift your experience, from appearance filters to a dedicated night mode and eye contact adjustment.
HP has thoughtfully included privacy features to bolster shared working experiences. For example, the screen dims automatically and wakes on approach. It also has a walk-away lock.
4. Dell XPS 13
Price Tag: $1,399.00
Pros
- Powerful performance for everyday use
- Multiple display configurations
- Highly portable build
- Satisfactory battery backup
Cons
- It does not let you choose dedicated graphics
- Some competitors offer a superior webcam
A 13” form factor has become well-liked due to its obvious portability advantages. The XPS 13 lets you go up to 64GB RAM and get as much as 2TB SSD space, all with the power of the newest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
The choices extend to the display front: an FHD+ or a QHD+ screen, with 500 nits brightness and refresh rates of 120Hz.
The XPS range can work brilliantly for creative professionals and business users, sporting top-of-the-line features like a haptic touchpad and quiet cooling.
The most prominent advantage of this laptop is its portability focus, catering to those perennially on the move. It weighs 2.6 lbs and has a battery backup of 13 to 18 hours, depending on the screen resolution.
Besides its mobility edge, this XPS device has the regular AI advantages of the Ultra line.
For instance, it uses My Dell to fine-tune your system settings and provides AI-backed issue detection and resolution. The 2MP webcam offers immersive communication with reduced noise and engaging focus.
5. Alienware m16 R2
Price Tag: $1,599.99
Pros
- Immersive display with high refresh rate, suited to gameplay
- Efficient cooling mechanism
- Eye-catching, contemporary design
Cons
- The build can feel bulky
- The battery life is not great
- Rather loud fans
Translating the edge of Intel Core Ultra 7 to the gaming landscape is the Alienware m16 R2, priced at a competitive $1,599.
This powerful laptop has 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and NVIDIA RTX 4060 (or 4070) graphics. It has an enthralling QHD+ display with a 100% sRGB color spectrum and a 240Hz refresh rate.
These specs make a stunning difference to a dedicated gamer, and the difference of G-SYNC+ is clear during competitive play.
Dell has persevered to keep your playtime unhindered with top-notch heat dissipation. It uses two fans with as many as 94 blades for faster airflow and quicker cooling.
On the flip side, this laptop weighs around 5.75 lbs, which can feel heavier than other available picks.
However, it has plenty of ports — Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, display ports, and Wi-Fi 7 — to keep you connected to any peripherals you require for an all-encompassing escape to a virtual world.
The Alienware range stands out for its anodized aluminum look with a two-tone block, stadium design, and sheer capacity to turn heads.
6. MSI Prestige 13
Price Tag: $1,280.69
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Good battery backup
- Offers privacy features like Tobii Aware
Cons
- The screen is less than satisfactory.
- Cramped, not very comfortable keyboard
MSI laptops can be reliable, safe choices, and it is heartening to see the company embrace artificial intelligence with sincerity.
The MSI Prestige 13 costs $1,300. It features a vivid 13.3” UHD+ OLED screen and tools like AI Artist and AI Engine to generate impressive visuals via prompts.
Performance-wise, this laptop does well with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. It can serve versatile user needs, from content creation to everyday business interaction and grunt work. (However, visual connoisseurs may feel dissatisfied with the rendition if they have worked on superior, brighter displays.)
It has multiple connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, Wi-Fi 7, and a MicroSD card reader. Plus, since its battery backup lasts an admirable 15 hours, you can travel comfortably without fretting about power stations.
MSI uses Tobii Aware to boost your privacy, alerting you to onlookers prying at your work. Further, it also lets you sign in via facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn off your webcam with a shutter. No more letting work slide into your private space once the meetings finish!
Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor: Leading the AI Revolution and How
Intel has invested in AI capabilities with the latest Core Ultra 7 processors that feature three dedicated accelerators and a dedicated NPU or neural processing unit.
The company has planned an elaborate AI ecosystem with over 300 ISV features. From models like Whisper and Stable Diffusion to quantization tools, frameworks, and diverse applications, these CPUs are ready to match the revolution artificial intelligence is orchestrating globally.
Core Ultra 7 seamlessly integrates developer support through OpenVINO and offers compatibility with multifarious vendor standards, including Microsoft DirectML.
These CPUs have up to six P-cores (performance) and eight E-cores (efficiency) with a Max Turbo frequency of 5.1GHz.
The new-age architecture and EUV Lithography translate into higher power efficiency — over 20% better than the Core i7 lineup, per internal estimates — and multithreaded performance.
For instance, the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H can perform 11% faster than its AMD Ryzen contemporary.
The built-in Arc GPU is a force to reckon with, infused with Xe Super Sampling and a DP4A Engine for AI-based acceleration. The difference is palpable during popular gaming titles like League of Legends and Overwatch 2.
These processors also support connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7. They allow a maximum memory capacity of up to 64 GB.
Conclusion
With the release of Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, Intel has set the ball rolling on a world powered by greater efficiencies and speeds, with artificial intelligence at its heart.
Internal tests suggest that these CPUs perform better than their Ryzen, Apple, or QCOM counterparts. The AI possibilities seem limitless, with smooth support for numerous apps, from Copilot to Audacity, VideoCom, and Blender.
The company plans to have over 100 million PCs with built-in AI accelerators by 2025. By the looks of it, most manufacturers already seem hooked. I certainly recommend getting on board to prepare for a future that, in all likelihood, will be majorly driven by AI.