Summary
Highlights
Intel's 8th generation mobile CPUs are confusingly named due to a staggered release and different architectural names within the same generation. These include Kaby Lake R for Ultrabook (U series) CPUs, Coffee Lake for high-powered mobile workstation/gaming laptop CPUs, and Kaby Lake G for hybrid CPUs with integrated AMD graphics. The super low-powered Core M and Core Y CPUs remain 7th generation.
The U series CPUs (Kaby Lake R) are 15-watt processors designed for thin and light ultrabooks. A significant change for the 8th gen is the jump to quad-core, doubling the core count from previous generations. This means they can perform almost as fast as higher-wattage Coffee Lake CPUs in short benchmarks, but their performance throttles in longer tasks due to thermal and power limitations of thin form factors.
Coffee Lake CPUs are 45-watt processors found in larger mobile workstations and gaming laptops. These have moved to six cores, offering a significant performance boost. Their higher wattage allows for sustained high clock speeds, making them ideal for demanding tasks that last longer than 30-45 seconds, such as professional video editing, large-scale code compilation, and 3D work.
Kaby Lake G is a new hybrid CPU that pairs an Intel quad-core processor with an integrated AMD GPU, offering graphics performance similar to an Nvidia GTX 1050. These typically operate at 65 watts. When the GPU is heavily utilized, the CPU receives less power, impacting its overall performance. This is an intermediate option for users who need more graphics power than a standard Ultrabook but less than a full mobile workstation.
Intel has also announced a mobile Core i9, which is a 45-watt, six-core unlocked processor with higher clock speeds, likely appearing in some gaming laptops and mobile workstations. Similarly, 8th generation Intel Xeon processors will be available for high-end mobile workstations like Dell Precision, ThinkPad P series, and HP ZBooks, targeting specialized professional applications.
Most users will find the 15-watt Kaby Lake R Ultrabook CPUs sufficient. However, for demanding tasks like CAD, 3D rendering, video editing, or gaming, the 45-watt Coffee Lake CPUs in larger laptops will offer superior performance due to their higher sustained power output and core count. Kaby Lake G provides a balance for those needing enhanced graphics in a moderately thin form factor.