Shubham Sawarkar
In a move aimed at simplifying its processor branding and meeting customer demands for clearer nomenclature, Intel Corporation, the giant chipmaker, is bidding farewell to the familiar “Core i3/i5/i7/i9” branding that has been synonymous with its processors for the past 15 years. Starting with the highly anticipated Meteor Lake generation of processors, Intel will transition to a more streamlined “Core 3/5/7/9” nomenclature. Furthermore, the company will incorporate the term “Ultra” into the branding of its higher-end chips, signaling enhanced performance and power.
With its decision to shift from the long-standing “i” branding, Intel acknowledges the need to simplify its processor names, making them more comprehensible to the average consumer. This move aligns with the growing trend of user-friendly product branding and is a response to the requests and feedback received from Intel’s loyal customer base. By adopting a straightforward “Core” classification, Intel aims to enhance clarity and eliminate confusion, making it easier for consumers to identify and select the processors that best suit their needs.
In an effort to differentiate its higher-end processors and emphasize their superior capabilities, Intel has introduced the “Ultra” tagline. Under this new branding approach, the model names of premium processors will feature the term “Ultra” before the numerical identifier. For instance, consumers can expect to see products like the “Intel Core Ultra 9” in the market. This addition of the “Ultra” designation enables Intel to create a distinct tier of processors that offer enhanced speed, power, and performance, catering to the demands of power users, gamers, and professionals who require cutting-edge computing capabilities.
While transitioning to a simpler naming convention, Intel assures customers that it will continue to provide generational information for its processors. This means that alongside the new branding, users can expect to see model numbers that indicate the specific generation of the processor, such as “Intel Core 9 processor 1300AB.” This additional information will assist consumers in assessing the relative performance and features of different processor iterations, enabling them to make informed purchasing decisions.
Moreover, Intel emphasizes that both the standard Core processors and the Core Ultra processors will be compatible with its Intel Arc graphics, ensuring seamless integration between processing power and advanced graphical capabilities. This synergy of technologies opens up new possibilities for gaming, content creation, and other graphics-intensive tasks, enhancing the overall computing experience for users.
Although Intel has yet to announce an official release date or provide specific details about the upcoming Meteor Lake processors, industry rumors suggest that these highly anticipated chips will be unveiled sometime this year. As the first generation of processors to adopt the new branding approach, Meteor Lake is expected to deliver exceptional performance and innovations, further cementing Intel’s position as a leader in the CPU market.
