Intel responds to MacBook Neo with a chip 21% faster for similar devices

Intel unveiled the Wildcat Lake Core 300, a new low-cost chip aimed at budget Windows laptops.

Early PassMark results suggest it matches Apple’s A18 Pro in single-core performance and beats it by 21% in multi-core tests.

The launch appears to be Intel’s answer to Apple’s value-focused MacBook Neo, which has raised the bar for affordable laptops.

If the chip holds up in real devices, it could give laptop makers a stronger low-end option, though battery life and overall quality are still unknown.