Intel just launched its latest processor code-named Kaby Lake. It is the successor of the Skylake processor launched in August 2015. Kaby Lake is faster and more power-efficient than its predecessor and by the end of the year about 100 laptops, tablets, and hybrids installed with it will be available.
The Kaby Lake is the first Intel PC chip with support for 4K graphics. It comes just in time for the development of the fast-emerging virtual reality and augmented reality technology meaning the Core processors may be used in VR headsets that need those graphics.
The company started to focus on gaming PCs, 2-in-1s and VR devices, following the recent decline in PC shipments. They are hoping the Kaby Lake will help in the revival of the PC with the emergence of the virtual reality technology.
Kaby Lake features and uses
The Kaby Lake CPUs are 12 to 19 percent faster than those with Skylake, and the battery life is improved.
With the Kaby Lake chip, laptops will be able to run 4K video without a discrete graphics card.
Users will be able to stream 4K video from the internet and run 4K games with no problems. According to Chris Walker, laptops with Kaby Lake will be able to run for 9.25 hours. Chris Walker is the Vice President of Intel’s Computing Group and general manager of Mobility Client Platforms.
The 4K support will come on chips from the lowest-powered 2-in-1 processors drawing 4.5 watts to the chips drawing 15 watts for mainstream PCs.
According to Walker, the company is targeting PCs running Windows 10 only, meaning that there will not be Windows 7 PCs with the Core chip. In the future, the Kaby Lake will also support Chrome OS, which means that the Core chip will also be available for Chromebooks.
The company will release in January 2017 a new batch of Kaby Lake PC chips that will work on VR headsets like the Oculus Rift, which are connected to high-end PCs. Intel will also target the chips for gaming PCs.
Intel is also currently working on virtual and augmented reality devices of its own. It is not clear what chip strategy they will use to them as they do not develop chips exclusively for headsets, but chips for PC that may also be used in headphones.
Source: PC World