- Nvidia is preparing its first laptop APU with an Arm CPU, iGPU, and integrated NPU, with an estimated TDP of 80 to 120 watts.
- The launch is planned for late 2025 or early 2026 and is aimed directly at the gaming market, competing with AMD Strix Halo
- Leaks show a prototype with high-speed memory modules (likely LPDDR5X) and AI-oriented architecture.
- The project could mark a new stage for Nvidia in the portable hardware sector, diversifying its presence beyond traditional GPUs.
In recent months, the outlook for the gaming laptops has taken an interesting turn and everything points to Nvidia is set to revolutionize the wearable device sector thanks to the development of its own APU with advanced technology. Until now, APUs were mainly the domain of AMD and Intel, but Nvidia's emergence could mark a before and after, especially for those looking for graphics performance in compact equipment.
The first reports came at the end of 2024, when some specialized media and renowned leakers hinted that Nvidia was secretly preparing a processor that would integrate Arm-based CPU, a powerful iGPU, and an NPU to accelerate AI tasks. An approach that, while not new to the market, is striking coming from someone who has led GPU manufacturing for years.
Leaked details on Nvidia's laptop APU
The leaked images show a chip still in the development phase, surrounded by high-speed RAM memory modules (probably LPDDR5X), which hints at its premium approach to powerful laptops. Power consumption will be between 80 and 120 watts TDP, a high figure that makes it clear that its niche will be laptops focused on gaming and content creation, where performance takes precedence over energy efficiency.
Another striking point is the possible collaboration with third parties for the development of the Arm CPU, as some rumors point to MediaTek as a partner for the design of the main processor. Although Nvidia has taken some steps toward general-purpose computing, so far its commitment to its own CPUs was limited to the world of artificial intelligence and servers.
This APU is expected to include high-end integrated graphics and have one dedicated NPU unit to process tasks related to AI and machine learning, functionalities that are increasingly in demand in modern operating systems and applications.
Nvidia enters direct competition with AMD Strix Halo and Sound Wave
Nvidia's goal is clear: compete with AMD's most powerful APU solutions, such as Strix Halo or Sound Wave. These AMD APUs have stood out for their combination of integrated CPUs, GPUs, and AI-specific units, although they use x86 architectures. Nvidia, on the other hand, is opting for Arm, which can offer advantages in efficiency and compatibility with different platforms and applications.
Leaks indicate that Nvidia's APU launch for laptops could occur between late 2025 and early 2026.By then, the market could be much more diversified, moving away from its sole reliance on separate CPUs and GPUs. Furthermore, models like those in Dell's Alienware line are expected to be among the first to incorporate this new chip, aimed at highly demanding users.
On the other hand, AMD with its Sound Wave APU also appears as a strong competitor, since it includes Arm CPU and a Radeon iGPU with significantly lower power consumption than Nvidia's. However, if forecasts are met, Nvidia's solution could offer a leap in performance important, in exchange for greater energy consumption.
Furthermore, the Strix Halo from AMD, the brand's most powerful APU to date, stands out for its integrated graphics performance and AI capabilities. We'll have to wait for the final data to determine whether Nvidia can match or even surpass AMD's capabilities in this segment.
Implications for the laptop and gaming sector
With several weeks ahead of official confirmations, Nvidia's entry into the market of APU for laptops can transform the technological landscape in the coming years. The integration of these solutions across various brands will influence aspects such as price, autonomy and software support.
Advances in technologies such as AI-specific NPUs, along with increasingly powerful iGPUs, reflect a shift in user priorities. It's no longer enough to simply have good graphics or CPU performance, but Interaction with systems and applications based on artificial intelligence will become increasingly relevant.
This development generates high expectations around the Nvidia's future APU for laptops, which combines advanced technology and promises to offer high performanceThe arrival of these new chips will bring greater competition to a segment that has been lacking major innovations for some time, and improvements will surely be seen in gaming, AI features, as well as in the prices and models available on the market.
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