During the surge in AI development, Intel is concentrating on fundamental principles

Intel Shifts Focus to Performance and Battery Life with Core Ultra Series 3

For over a year, the PC market has looked to artificial intelligence as a catalyst for increasing laptop sales, hoping that the promise of AI-powered applications would encourage widespread upgrades. Yet, at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Intel (INTC) chose to spotlight the essentials: enhanced performance and extended battery life, as the standout features of its new Core Ultra Series 3 processors.

Marking the debut of Intel's much-anticipated 18A process, the Core Ultra Series 3 chips are projected to deliver up to 27 hours of battery life—a significant leap over previous Intel generations and outlasting both Apple's MacBook Air (18 hours) and MacBook Pro (up to 24 hours).

Pavan Davuluri, president of Windows and devices at Microsoft, shared with Yahoo Finance at CES, "The key takeaway is that these PCs will be faster, more responsive, and offer greater value."

Intel introduced its Core Ultra Series 3 processor at CES 2026, a potential turning point for the company. (Intel)

While AI remains a hot topic, Intel made it clear that everyday buyers still prioritize speed and battery longevity when choosing their next laptop. The company referenced AI capabilities in its presentations, but the core message centered on tangible improvements that resonate with consumers.

Alvin Nguyen, a senior analyst at Forrester, told Yahoo Finance, "You need to communicate in terms people recognize. If you can say it's faster, lasts longer, and also features AI, that's a compelling story."

This launch represents a pivotal opportunity for Intel as it works to revitalize its business. Jim Johnson, Intel's senior vice president and general manager of client computing, expressed confidence in the 18A rollout, stating, "We're not making promises—we're simply delivering. We're ramping up production with two factories running 18A technology, and demand is strong."

Why Core Ultra Series 3 Matters for Intel

The Core Ultra Series 3 stands as one of Intel's most significant releases in recent memory. After losing ground to Advanced Micro Devices due to past missteps, Intel is betting that these new processors will help restore trust among both consumers and businesses by offering robust performance without sacrificing battery life.

Hands-On Impressions from CES 2026

During CES, I had the chance to try out several laptops powered by the Core Ultra Series 3 at Intel's booth in the Venetian. Their performance left a strong impression, handling demanding tasks with ease.

Intel showcased the capabilities of its new chips by running popular games like "Battlefield 6" on various laptops. Some systems used dedicated Nvidia graphics cards, while others relied solely on the Series 3's integrated GPUs, which managed the games smoothly.

In my years of reviewing laptops, I've rarely considered using integrated graphics for high-end gaming, as they typically fall short. Previously, you could launch a game, but only at the lowest settings, resulting in lackluster visuals. The Core Ultra Series 3, however, played several titles seamlessly, a remarkable achievement to witness firsthand.

Although I didn't have the opportunity to test battery life during the event, if Intel fulfills its claim of up to 27 hours of use, it could mark a significant comeback for its PC segment.

Competition Remains Fierce

Despite Intel's advancements, the company faces stiff competition. AMD unveiled its own new laptop processors at CES, and Qualcomm also introduced a new chip, aiming to carve out its share of the PC market.

At AMD's financial analyst event in New York last November, CEO Lisa Su projected that AMD could capture up to 40% of PC market revenue within three to five years, up from 20% in 2025.

Intel now faces the challenge of preventing that shift—and its latest chip may be the key to doing so.

Stay Updated

Subscribe to Yahoo Finance's Week in Tech newsletter for more updates.