Intel’s China-first launch strategy for Arc GPUs is slowing gaining traction. Though desktop parts are confirmed to be delayed, the first Arc-based laptops are beginning to appear in storefronts. Getting the show started is Chinese brand Machenike, whose Discovery Edition 2022 gaming laptop features an Intel Alder Lake CPU and Arc A730M GPU.
Available for pre-order via JD, this 16in machine measures 358.8mm x 265.4mm x 26.6mm, weighing 2.45kg. It boasts an Intel i7-12700H 20-thread CPU at 4.70GHz turbo, 16GB of DDR5-4800, 512GB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, and of course the star of the show, Intel’s Arc A730M GPU with 12GB of 14Gb/s GDDR6 memory across a 192-bit bus, which translates into a 336GB/s bandwidth.
The Intel Arc A730M packs 24 Xe-cores at 1.1GHz, compared to the big boy A770M’s 32 Xe-cores at 1.65GHz. Soon enough we will at last see what Intel GPUs are truly capable of.
Machenike uses a 16:10 16in WQHD screen running at a 165Hz refresh rate, covering 100 per cent sRGB colour gamut and achieving 500-nit brightness.
Connectivity is covered by two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (compatible with Thunderbolt 4 40Gb/s), two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, an audio jack, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E. An 80Wh battery is par for the course on a 16in build, yet Machenike’s configuration aligns with our expectations of what most OEMs will offer in their first-run Arc solutions.
Currently, this laptop is listed at ￥8,499 (£1,013), with a promo starting on June 6th during which purports to bring pricing down to ￥7,499 (£894). Here’s hoping global Arc-based laptops aren’t too far behind.
