Intel Ramps Up Efforts to Support Handheld Gaming Console Manufacturers WIth Dev Kits, Support Staff

As the demand for handheld gaming consoles continues to increase, Intel is working to strengthen support for handheld gaming consoles. The chipmaker faces competition from AMD, which makes the Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips that power the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X. However, the company has taken several steps to support the development of handheld gaming computers. These range from providing development kits to providing developers and professionals with access to their next-generation chip technology.

Intel Seeds builds prototype handheld computer for game developers

The chipmaker is improving support for handheld gaming console makers like the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Asus ROG Ally X. In an interaction with Laptop Mag, Intel Vice President and General Manager of AI and Technology Marketing Robert Hallock said that the company is providing handheld console prototypes to game developers.

As part of its efforts to support these manufacturers, Intel is also offering expert help, and the company’s new internal program will help these console makers optimize their devices through performance profiles. Intel is also making development kits available to developers ahead of the arrival of next-generation CPUs.

Intel Panther Lake chips offer improved memory customization

Intel’s Arrow Lake (Core Ultra Series 2) processors have been launched in October 2024, and the company’s next-generation Panther Lake CPUs are already in the testing phase. Hallock told the publication that, unlike Lunar Lake, the company’s Panther Lake chips do not include system memory on the CPU package. This means product manufacturers will be able to offer customized RAM configurations.

Some handheld devices equipped with the latest Arrow Lake H-series chips have been demonstrated at CES 2025 and are expected to be unveiled in the coming months, with improved performance over other models equipped with Lunar Lake CPUs. There is currently no timetable for the launch of Intel’s Panther Lake chips, which could power mobile devices such as laptops and handheld gaming computers.