I’m confused. Intel has recently announced a massive uptick in its latest series of CPUs. Let’s call them Core Ultra Series 2 items, in keeping with Intel’s own nomenclature. Why am I pondering Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU strategies? Because of  the ratio of Copilot+ capable packages as compared to those that do not meet those requirements.

Teasing Out Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU Strategies

Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently “in the family” of Intel Core Ultra CPUs. The number of members in each category is in square brackets to the left of the colon:

200U Series  [4] : Aims at ultra-portable devices
200H Series  [5] : Designed for high-perf laptops
200HX Series [6] : For high-end gaming laptops
200S Series  [11]: Targets desktop systems
200V Series  [10]: Meet Copilot+ requirements

Think about it: it’s a family of CPUs with a total of 36 members in all. But only 10 of them meet or exceed Copilot+ requirements. That’s just under 28%, or less than one-third, of that entire group. My question is: what does this ratio tell us about Intel’s thoughts on Copilot+ vis-a-vis the entire market for new PCs?

Understanding Intel’s Planning and Posture

Two good places to start are:
1. Mobile Processors (Series 2) Product Brief: describes and points to all of the Mobile CPUs in the family (e.g. U, H, HX and V).
2. Desktop Processors (Series 2) Product Brief: Ditto for the 11 members of the 200S desktop series of CPUs in the family.

I’m going to float a possibly absurd hypothesis: Given that less than one-third of its latest offerings support Copilot+ requirements, it looks like Intel thinks that Copilot+ PCs will make up about one-third of expected market demand for such devices. And yet, Microsoft seems to make Copilot+ PCs the impetus and cornerstone for its “2025 year of the refresh” messaging.

But with 2 of every 3 new CPUs from Intel outside that envelope, I’m inclined to think that plenty of new PCs running Windows 11 — arguably, a substantial majority — won’t be able to exploit features and functions available only on Copilot+ capable units. I have to imagine it’s about price points and specific demand niches where AI-enabled and -driven features don’t (and won’t) play.

I have to believe Intel doesn’t see Copilot+ PCs as its only, and perhaps not even as its primary focus. Is that different from Microsoft’s vision for the future of Windows 11 computing? I think it is. My primary evidence is that Intel built 26 CPUs across ultra portable, high-end gaming and high-performance laptop categories, as well as a substantial desktop category, none under the Copilot+ umbrella.Indeed, how it unfolds will be extremely interesting to watch, as market uptake indicates if Intel’s strategy is sound.