Intel says its new Iris Xe graphics give thin-and-light laptops the visual performance of systems with discrete or dedicated graphics – even when used within Intel's longstanding integrated processor-graphics architecture. [The first Gen 11 CPUs came with integrated Iris Xe graphics. However, in a big switch for Intel, discrete Intel GPUs using Iris Xe technology are anticipated at a later date.]

With Iris Xe, Intel is positioning its 11th gen mobile chips as ideal for video gamers, content creators and other laptop users with high graphical demands. Traditionally, these users have found thin and light laptops to be unpopular, as their small frames make it harder to keep CPUs cool and to fit batteries with long unplugged times.

Iris Xe graphics offer more and faster execution units (EUs) and a much bigger L3 cache compared to earlier Intel solutions. Some AAA games with the most extreme frame rates might still be out of reach of these integrated chips, but experts who reviewed the new 11th gen models said Iris Xe graphics are plenty powerful enough for most popular games, even when the laptop isn't running at its highest possible graphics settings.

Intel included Iris Xe graphics on its first 11th gen Core i5 and Core i7 processors, but not the 11th gen Core i3 ones, which still sported Intel UHD Graphics.

The launch of 11th gen CPUs coincided with the introduction of the Intel Evo platform – a new set of specifications and "key experience indicators" (KEIs) that Intel says will help consumers identify the "best laptops for getting things done."4 Evo, an evolution of Intel’s earlier Project Athena, is another example of Intel working with PC manufacturers to push new laptop designs and capabilities based on its technology. It’s similar to when Intel unveiled "Ultrabook" specs to define a new group hyper-thin, highly powerful laptops.

In terms of components, the Intel Evo platform is based mostly on the company's 11th gen Core processors and its new Intel Iris Xe graphics. But it goes farther than that, imposing (and verifying) KEI targets aimed at ensuring consistent high performance in the areas Intel believes laptop users value most:

• Consistent responsiveness while on battery power5
• Fast wake-from-sleep: Under 1 second
• "Real world" battery life: 9+ hours6
• Fast charging: 4-hour charge in under 30 minutes7

Earning the Intel Evo badge also requires best-in-class wired and wireless connections8 – integrated Thunderbolt 4 and Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) – along with a high-end display (12- to 15-inch FHD) and advanced audio and webcam capabilities.

Lenovo announced its first laptop built on the Evo platform – the Lenovo Yoga 9i – in late 2020. Additional Yoga models were announced then, too, with more 11th gen-powered Lenovo laptops to come. (NOTE: Not every 11th gen-equipped system meets the strict Evo standards).

The first Gen 11 CPUs came with integrated Iris Xe graphics. But shortly thereafter, in a big move for Intel, the company announced Intel Iris Xe MAX – the first discrete graphics product from Intel in 20 years. [Intel has long been known for integrated graphics, capitalizing on its strength as a CPU manufacturer, while other companies have focused on the dedicated or discrete approach.]

The discrete Iris Xe MAX chip is similar in construction and capabilities to the integrated Iris Xe graphics within 11th gen mobile processors. In fact, Intel calls them “twins.” But unlike some human twins, the components are built to work together, splitting and sharing visual workloads through new software called Intel Deep Link Technology.

At its simplest, Deep Link sends more power to the dedicated GPU (with its own VRAM) when it senses the user is performing graphics-heavy content or gaming tasks. For compute-intensive tasks, it sends more power to the CPU, or, when graphical demands are highest, it can split the effort between both. Deep Link is also said to improve AI performance – a big help for creators – and enable faster encoding for streaming.

Intel positions Iris Xe MAX as ideal for demanding content creators and gamers. These users have often eschewed thin and light, easily portable laptops, believing the small mobile form factor can’t deliver the processing and graphics power they need. Now, Intel says, that trade-off is a thing of the past.