Intel Launches Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" with Linux Support Challenges

Intel has unveiled its latest Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" processors at an event in Berlin. These new laptop CPUs promise substantial improvements over the previous Meteor Lake series. Intel's enhancements include more powerful CPU cores, advanced Xe2 integrated graphics, and a faster NPU for AI acceleration. Intel’s benchmarks claim that Lunar Lake will outperform the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 SoCs, especially in Windows 11 environments.
Ultra 200V

However, the excitement around Lunar Lake comes with a caveat for Linux users. While the CPU and NPU features should work well on recent Linux kernels, the Xe2 integrated graphics pose a challenge. Full support for these graphics won’t be available until the Linux 6.12 kernel, expected in November 2024. Until then, users may need to rely on the “force_probe” override on Linux 6.11 or test out a Linux 6.12 Git snapshot.

Despite these hurdles, Intel is moving forward, with Lunar Lake laptops available for pre-order starting today. General availability is expected on September 24. Phoronix, a well-known site for Linux performance analysis, plans to run benchmarks on the new hardware once available. These tests will be crucial in determining how Lunar Lake performs on Linux, especially regarding the stability of Xe2 graphics.

Adding to the complexity is the inclusion of Microsoft’s Pluton security chip in Lunar Lake. This decision has raised concerns within the Linux and open-source communities, who typically prefer open standards and technologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Intel’s Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” CPUs bring major upgrades, including improved CPU cores, Xe2 graphics, and faster AI processing.
  • Linux support for Lunar Lake, particularly Xe2 graphics, will require the upcoming Linux 6.12 kernel.
  • The integration of Microsoft’s Pluton chip raises concerns for Linux users.
  • Lunar Lake laptops are available for pre-order now, with general availability beginning September 24.

Stay tuned for detailed Linux performance benchmarks and further insights as Lunar Lake hits the market.

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