Intel unveiled Wildcat Lake Core 300 series aimed at entry‑level laptops. It pairs two Cougar Cove performance cores with four low‑power Darkmont cores, tops at 4.6 GHz and 3.4 GHz turbo. Integrated NPU5, Xe display engine and up to two Xe3 GPU cores promise light gaming and smooth media playback.

First PassMark results show the Core 5 320 scoring 4,047 single‑thread and about 15,222 multi‑thread points, edging out Apple’s first‑gen M1 and the A18 Pro chips inside the $599 MacBook Neo. Intel’s reference design mirrors Apple’s aluminium chassis and bright color scheme, positioning the platform as a direct competitor in the budget notebook segment.

With an estimated 10 million units slated for sale, the Neo has already secured Apple a top‑three spot in notebook volume. Intel’s Wildcat Lake promises comparable pricing while delivering higher PassMark scores, potentially reshaping the low‑cost laptop market. Consumers now have a viable alternative that blends performance and price without sacrificing build quality.

Intel’s move follows a year of weak AMD and Intel offerings in the sub‑$700 bracket, where Apple has dominated. By leveraging its in‑house Xe graphics and AI‑focused NPU, the company aims to reclaim market share and give OEMs a ready‑made platform for cheap, colorful laptops that can still handle everyday workloads.