Microsoft launched its Floor Laptop computer 7 earlier this 12 months with out Intel chips, in a bid to advertise Home windows on Arm and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips. Now, it appears like a Floor Laptop computer may arrive subsequent 12 months with Intel’s newest Lunar Lake chips.
A Floor Laptop computer prototype has appeared in a since-deleted itemizing on Chinese language second-hand market Goofish, full with what appears like Intel’s Core Extremely 7 268V processor inside. Home windows Central noticed the itemizing, nevertheless it’s not clear if this may merely be a Floor Laptop computer 7 variant or a Floor Laptop computer 8.
Both means, the prototype laptop computer is clearly marked as such with a large “prototype – not on the market” etching on the backside of the machine. Whereas it’s simple to pretend the CPU itemizing inside Home windows, the looks of the prototype label confirms that is probably a real unreleased laptop computer from Microsoft. It’s uncommon for such units to leak, not to mention be bought on-line.
If Microsoft is contemplating Lunar Lake chips for its Floor Laptop computer line, it will guarantee there’s an Intel choice for individuals who need Copilot Plus PC options. The Floor Professional 10 and Floor Laptop computer 6 each shipped with Intel’s Meteor Lake processors earlier this 12 months, however they didn’t embody an NPU highly effective sufficient for Microsoft’s Copilot Plus options. They have been as an alternative focused at companies, and lacked the refreshed designs discovered on the Floor Professional 11 and Floor Laptop computer 7.
The itemizing of this prototype Floor Laptop computer notes that the unannounced machine ought to go on sale sooner or later in 2025, which may level to a CES 2025 announcement if Microsoft is readying this for customers. The opposite chance is Microsoft as soon as once more limiting Intel-based Floor units to business clients.
We’ve requested Microsoft to touch upon this leaked prototype, however the firm didn’t reply in time for publication.
