Intel nonetheless goals of modular PCs: it introduced a transportable gaming pill to CES

At CES 2025, Intel let journalists into its personal “Innovation Showcase,” the place we noticed issues like subsequent era laptop computer prototypes and Big 3D Stereo Gaming Laptop computer PCs.

Whereas I used to be there, additionally I noticed a heavy steel handheld pc on a desk that did not appear… totally linked… to its display screen. Once I lifted the display screen, it got here off simply.

It appeared suspiciously gentle for an actual pill, so I turned it over and noticed three connectors beneath:

Above it on a shelf was a laptop computer with a suspiciously sized piece of plastic on the underside that appeared like an ideal match. A minute later, Intel gaming evangelist Colin Helms confirmed: I used to be taking a look at a modular PC idea.

That module incorporates an entire Intel Lunar Lake pc, all the center you’d must make one work exterior of the peripherals and display screen. It is mainly a reboot of Intel’s deserted compute card thoughtbesides it is not all Intel’s doing and you must in all probability by no means anticipate it to ship.

It is a idea from Quanta, an organization whose identify is not typically seen on the laptops and tablets they create, as a result of Quanta is an MDG (corresponding to Compal, Pegatron, Wistron and Apple’s most well-known iPhone provider Foxconn) that designs and manufactures {hardware} on behalf of manufacturers.

Quanta calls the whole modular system “AI8A”, and the aforementioned module at its core is the “Removable AI Core”. Helms instructed me it additionally connects to different idea computer systems, together with an all-in-one desktop that Intel did not have to point out off. And presumably, just like the Compute Card thought, you could possibly improve your pc just by placing a brand new module in it.

The modular laptop computer additionally has quite a lot of conceptual options, so many who Intel’s CES workers hadn’t even figured all of them out but.

For starters, the laptop computer has a motorized hinge, so you possibly can say it open and shut your individual lid; It additionally claims to supply eye monitoring that permits you to scroll by way of multitasking home windows simply by taking a look at the place you would like them to be. Apparently it comes with a mouse constructed into a hoop that you would be able to put on.

Most mundane: a Qi wi-fi charging pad constructed into the palm relaxation, with indicator lights to point out the remaining battery capability.

Sadly, I could not attempt to get something to work, nor did I handle to ask what “AI8A” means, as a result of I mistakenly thought it stated Aiba till I checked my pictures carefully simply now. We have been additionally unable to hot-swap the module between the hand held and laptop computer, because the module apparently has no battery inside.

As soon as once more, it is a cool computing idea automobile – it is unlikely that this pc will ever come to market, even in a extra sensible, much less cumbersome kind. Fortunately, We have began to see some actual, sensible modularity within the laptop computer house. because the demise of the Intel Compute Card. Framework simply celebrated its fifth anniversary this week, and Dell took a small step ahead at CES with its first serviceable modular USB-C port.

Pictures by Sean Hollister/The Verge