Samsung has announced that its latest Galaxy Book S is now available to purchase. It’s the first device to offer Intel’s new “Core processors with Intel Hybrid Technology.” Previous Galaxy Book S models have run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform. The new Intel processors (referred to as “Lakefield”) are designed to power ultralight devices. They’re essentially Intel’s answer to ARM.
The way these things work is that Intel combines one powerful core with four lower-power cores (for a total of five cores and five threads) on a single die. That allows smaller devices to offer a multithread-capable structure without requiring a hefty amount of power or decimating battery life.
Intel debuted two 7W Lakefield chips to start: the Core i5-L16G7 and the Core i3-L13G4. Both chips share architecture with the Ice Lake generation and include Intel’s Gen 11 integrated graphics and support for Wi-Fi 6. The Galaxy Book S comes with the i5.
The Galaxy Book S is meant to be used on the go. It’s just over two pounds and 0.7 inches at its thickest point. There’s a specific Outdoor Mode that boosts the screen up to 600 nits of brightness. Samsung claims the 42Wh battery will deliver “long-lasting” juice. The US model is Wi-Fi only, but LTE will be available in other markets.
The Samsung Intel Galaxy Book S starts at $949.99. It’s available on Samsung’s website and Best Buy.
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