WTF ? ! For months, PC users have waited for Intel’s attempt to offer customers a third option in the dedicated graphics market designed during the decade by AMD and Nvidia. Intel fully unveiled its Arc-series GPU mobiles at the end of March – when they were supposed to be launched. A week later, that launch has apparently been pushed back for most territories.
Intel’s initial announcement of the Arc series last August, its first products were expected to arrive in the first quarter of this year. Last month, the company confirmed that laptop GPUs would arrive on March 30 – technically at the very end of the first quarter. However, stores like Amazon and Newegg haven’t listed them yet. Best buy right now glasses one model – an HP with an Arc A370M – with no release date.
When Game Union TV asked Intel when Arc GPUs would be available, Intel Support first tweeted that they would arrive before the end of the second quarter. Then it was revealed that Samsung models with Arc GPUs had already been launched, but only in South Korea.
currently Samsung’s Korean store has a Galaxy Book2 Pro with an A350M, the most basic Arc board. This is likely the same laptop that leaked shortly before Arc’s supposed launch date. According to a Korean YouTuber (via Tom’s gear), it’s a little more lent than Nvidia’s GTX 1650, but Intel is likely continuing to improve its drivers. Intel says other regions will drop Arc laptops in the coming weeks.
The mention of Intel support at the end of Q2 was likely referring to the mid-range A550M as well as the high-end A730M and A770 arriving in early summer. This is also when Intel’s desktop GPUs are expected to launch.