Intel is intensifying its focus on the handheld gaming console market, responding to a growing consumer interest in compact gaming devices. The semiconductor giant faces stiff competition from AMD, which produces the Z1 and Z1 Extreme processors utilized in products such as the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X. In light of this competitive landscape, Intel is actively enhancing its support for the development of handheld gaming PCs through various initiatives.
Prototype Handheld PCs Provided to Game Developers
The company is facilitating improved collaboration with manufacturers of handheld devices, including the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Asus ROG Ally X. In a recent discussion with Laptop Mag, Robert Hallock, Intel’s Vice President and General Manager of AI and Technical Marketing, shared that the company is distributing prototype handheld gaming consoles to game developers.
Intel’s commitment involves offering access to its specialist teams and implementing new internal programs designed to assist console manufacturers in optimizing their products’ performance profiles. Additionally, developers are receiving development kits in preparation for the upcoming release of Intel’s next-generation CPUs.
Enhanced Memory Customization with Panther Lake Chips
Intel’s Arrow Lake processors, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, were launched in October 2024, with the forthcoming Panther Lake CPUs currently undergoing testing. Hallock highlighted that, unlike the previous Lunar Lake lineup, the Panther Lake chips will not incorporate system memory on the CPU package. This design choice enables manufacturers to offer customized RAM configurations for their devices.
At CES 2025, several handheld devices featuring Arrow Lake H-series chips were showcased, demonstrating enhanced performance compared to models using Lunar Lake CPUs. Although the launch of Intel’s Panther Lake chips does not have a specific release date, they are expected to power various mobile devices, including laptops and handheld gaming PCs, in the near future.
