CES 2026 • Intel 18A • Core Ultra Series 3 (“Panther Lake”) • Laptop Tracker
CES 2026 Intel 18A Laptops: Model List, Availability Tracker, and Buyer’s Guide
Intel positioned Core Ultra Series 3 (codename: Panther Lake) as its first consumer platform built on Intel 18A, with pre-orders starting Jan 6, 2026 and global availability starting Jan 27, 2026.
- Added “buy now” entries cited by Tom’s Guide (HP OmniBook X 2026, Dell XPS 14/16 2026).
- Added MSI CES lineup entries (Prestige 13/14/16; Modern 14S/16S; Series 3 timing).
- Expanded CES model mentions from ASUS and HardwareZone (Zenbook Duo / ExpertBook Ultra; ThinkPad X1 Aura Editions).
What counts as an “Intel 18A laptop” from CES 2026?
For buyers, the simplest rule is: confirm the CPU line. Intel tied the CES 2026 “18A laptop” story to Intel Core Ultra Series 3 / Panther Lake, with systems beginning pre-order on Jan 6 and going on sale globally starting Jan 27.
Model List + Availability Tracker
Status labels are based on the cited sources below (availability can vary by region/config). Always verify the exact CPU SKU on the product page.
| Brand / Model | Series 3 / Panther Lake evidence | Tracker status | Notes (what to verify) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP OmniBook X (2026) | Listed as a “Panther Lake” laptop you can buy now; includes Core Ultra X7 358H reference in the same entry. | Buy now (reported) | Confirm CPU SKU + display panel + warranty in your region. |
| Dell XPS 14 (2026) | Included in Tom’s Guide “buy right now” list and described with Core Ultra X7 358H. | Buy now (reported) | Check battery claims and configuration (RAM/SSD) on Dell’s page. |
| Dell XPS 16 (2026) | Included in Tom’s Guide “buy right now” list; mentions Core Ultra X7 358H option. | Buy now (reported) | Verify which SKUs are Series 3 vs other Core Ultra lines in your region. |
| MSI Prestige 14 | MSI CES 2026 announcement: Prestige series powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3; specific new Prestige 14 referenced. | On sale from Jan 27 (stated) | MSI mentions an 81Wh battery for Prestige 14/16—confirm capacity and display SKU. |
| MSI Prestige 16 | MSI CES 2026 announcement: new Prestige 16 powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3. | On sale from Jan 27 (stated) | Confirm exact CPU tier (X7 vs X9) and regional availability. |
| MSI Prestige 13 AI+ | MSI CES 2026 announcement: Prestige 13 AI+ includes Intel Core Ultra Series 3. | Announced (timing varies) | Confirm that your region’s SKU is Series 3 and not a prior-gen refresh. |
| MSI Modern 14S / Modern 16S | MSI CES 2026 announcement: Modern S series “powered by” Intel Core Ultra Series 3. | Announced | Verify CPU SKU and whether RAM is upgradeable (MSI mentions dual slots). |
| ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) | ASUS CES 2026 guide: Zenbook DUO powered by “Intel Core Ultra Series 3.” | Announced | Confirm Series 3 CPU tier and battery size on the regional product page. |
| ASUS ExpertBook Ultra | HardwareZone CES roundup: ExpertBook Ultra included among ASUS non-ROG lines getting “Panther Lake treatment.” | Announced (regional) | Verify CPU SKU; some regions may list different Core Ultra generations. |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition | HardwareZone CES roundup: mentions ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Editions fitted with Core Ultra X7 chips. | Announced (regional) | Confirm whether the “X7” SKU is Series 3 (Panther Lake) in your market. |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Edition | HardwareZone CES roundup: mentions X1 2-in-1 Gen 11 Aura Editions with Core Ultra X7 chips. | Announced (regional) | Check exact CPU model and panel options (touch/brightness) per region. |
| MSI Prestige 14 Flip | Wired testing note references Core Ultra X7 358H in MSI Prestige 14 Flip. | Stock varies | Some listings can sell out quickly; verify CPU and battery size. |
Intel also said the platform spans “200+” OEM designs, with more designs rolling through H1 2026.
Buyer’s Guide: what to prioritize in Intel 18A (Series 3) laptops
1) Battery reality check
Marketing battery figures vary by test. Compare battery size (Wh), display type/refresh, and CPU tier. Intel’s CES messaging emphasized battery life and efficiency for Series 3, but your config matters.
- Best for battery: efficient panels + moderate CPU tiers + larger Wh batteries.
- Hidden drain: 120–144Hz panels left on “max refresh,” high brightness, and background AI features.
2) iGPU: who should care?
Series 3 coverage has focused heavily on stronger integrated graphics and gaming uplift claims at comparable power. If you do light gaming or creator work without a dGPU, prioritize:
- Cooling (thicker chassis sustains clocks longer)
- Dual-channel / fast LPDDR5x or equivalent memory (iGPU loves bandwidth)
- At least 16GB RAM; 32GB if you edit media or keep laptops 4–5 years
3) “AI PC” specs that actually matter
OEMs and Microsoft positioned Series 3 as a major “AI PC” wave with broad adoption. For buyers, the practical checklist is:
- Windows version and Copilot+ feature availability in your region
- NPU capability (and whether your apps use it)
- Webcam/mics (AI meetings), speakers, and sustained thermals (AI workloads can be bursty)
4) Quick “verify before you buy” checklist
- Does the official spec sheet say Core Ultra Series 3 or “Panther Lake”?
- Exact CPU model (example entries in sources include Core Ultra X7 358H).
- Battery size (Wh), display resolution + refresh rate, and RAM capacity
- Warranty/service coverage in your country
Availability notes (what Intel and OEMs said)
- Intel timeline: pre-orders Jan 6, global availability starting Jan 27, more designs through H1 2026.
- MSI timeline: MSI stated pre-orders starting Jan 6 and official sales beginning Jan 27 (PST) for Prestige Series 3 systems.
- “Buy now” examples: Tom’s Guide listed HP OmniBook X (2026) and Dell XPS 14/16 (2026) as available.
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