Chromebook “Felino” Features Panther Lake Processor with 12 Xe3 Core GPU Revealed in NBD Shipping Manifest

The latest Chromebook has emerged as potentially the most powerful model in its category, but how will users fully utilize its CPU capabilities?

Power and Performance: Panther Lake Chip with 12 Xe3 Core GPU in Chromebook Felino Revealed in Shipping Logs

High-performance CPUs in Chromebooks are typically rare, mainly because Chrome OS operates efficiently with lesser processing power. Most users find that even a quad-core processor suffices, as they mainly depend on web-based applications. While it is not uncommon to see Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, these are generally from energy-efficient the chipset families, focusing on delivering numerous efficient cores rather than abundant performance cores.

Though adding more performance cores can increase the cost, the return on that investment often lacks significant improvements in user experience. However, recent leaks suggest that a forthcoming Chromebook could really shake things up, positioning itself to rival high-performance laptops. An NBD shipping manifest indicates that a laptop manufacturer is testing a Panther Lake variant, specifically identified by the Stepping Code: Q7AP. This prototype Chromebook is built on the new Felino base board, which aligns with reports indicating that Acer is likely behind this development, as noted by Chrome Unboxed.

HS codes and descriptions list showing CHROMEBOOK Q7AP, 99CTX6, and PTL 12Xe, highlighting specifications including 32 GB and 18MB. — NBD Shipping Manifest; Image Credit: @x86deadandback

The shipping documents reveal that this model, Chromebook 16, features a 16-inch display—one of the largest formats seen in Chromebooks. This particular device leverages a Panther Lake WeU, as originally highlighted by @x86deadandback, which includes 12 Xe3 GPU cores. It is rather unconventional to see such a robust processor in a Chromebook, particularly when one would typically expect a PTL-U processor equipped with a 6 or 8 core configuration with a 15W rating. Notably, the PTL-U options consistently involve 4 Xe3 GPU cores and do not align with the capabilities of the PTL-H variants.

The recent insights regarding Panther Lake processors indicate that only the highest tier of the PTL-H series comes with 12 Xe3 cores for the integrated GPU. Consequently, this Chromebook will feature an impressive 16-core CPU, configured as 4 Performance Cores, 8 Efficient Cores, and 4 Low Power Efficient Cores. Previously, we observed testing of a Panther Lake chip in an upcoming Samsung Galaxy notebook, anticipated to be the lower-tier PTL-U variant. The PTL-H variants, particularly the 16-core model, seem targeted towards premium device offerings, leaving us pondering the practical advantages of such a multi-core configuration within a Chromebook setting.

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