Google’s next laptop push is starting to look properly interesting. After introducing Googlebook as its Gemini-powered successor to Chromebook, the big question was simple: what chips will these machines actually use?
Now we have a clearer picture. Intel says it has been working with Google on the new Googlebook platform, with Intel Core processors expected to sit inside at least some of the first devices. Based on TechPowerUp’s report, the likely candidate is Intel’s latest Core Series 300 family, codenamed Wildcat Lake.
For Malaysian and SEA buyers, this matters because Chromebooks have always been a bit niche here. They are useful for students, schools and light productivity, but many people still prefer Windows laptops because of app compatibility, offline use and gaming flexibility. If Googlebook is trying to be the next serious AI-first laptop platform, the choice of CPU will shape whether it feels like a real daily machine or just another cloud-first experiment.
Intel Wildcat Lake could power early Googlebooks
The expected Intel setup is not just a basic low-power chip. Wildcat Lake is an x86 platform with six CPU cores: two Cougar Cove performance cores and four Darkmont low-power efficiency cores. That kind of layout suggests Googlebook devices could aim for decent everyday responsiveness while keeping battery life in check.
The AI angle is also important. Wildcat Lake includes Intel’s NPU 5, rated at 40 TOPS for INT8 workloads. In normal human language: this is the dedicated AI hardware that should help Gemini-related features run locally instead of sending everything to the cloud. For students, remote workers and creators in Malaysia, that could mean faster AI-assisted writing, search, transcription or image-related tasks — assuming Google actually builds useful features around it.
Intel’s platform also brings an Xe display and media engine, plus integrated graphics with up to two Xe3 cores. Nobody should expect a Googlebook to replace a gaming laptop, bro, but better media handling and light GPU performance still matter for YouTube, editing school projects, casual games and general smoothness.
Another notable detail: Wildcat Lake is built on Intel’s 18A internal node. That is a big deal for Intel’s own chip roadmap, though real-world battery life and thermals will depend heavily on each laptop design.
Not Intel-only, which is the smart move
The more interesting part is that Intel will not be the only silicon player for Googlebook. According to details shared via ChromeUnboxed’s interview with Google VP John Maletis, Google has strict requirements for OEM partners, covering areas like CPU, memory, keyboard layout and storage configurations.
That means Google is trying to control the baseline experience more tightly instead of letting every brand ship totally different specs under the same name. Honestly, that is good. Chromebook quality has always varied a lot, especially in budget segments.
Launch partners are expected to include Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Qualcomm and MediaTek are also part of the broader plan, so Arm-powered Googlebooks should appear alongside Intel-based models. That could create a proper split: Intel for stronger x86 compatibility, Arm for potentially better battery life and always-on style usage.
For SEA, this could be the part to watch. Brands like ASUS, Acer, HP and Lenovo already have strong retail presence in Malaysia, from Shopee and Lazada to physical IT malls. If Googlebook gets regional support, Malaysians may actually see multiple options instead of one random imported model with no local warranty.
What we still do not know
The first Googlebook devices are reportedly expected this fall, but there is no Malaysia pricing or launch timing yet. That is the make-or-break detail. If these land too close to regular Windows ultrabooks, Google needs to justify the switch with genuinely useful Gemini features, strong battery life and a polished app experience.
Still, the hardware direction is promising. Intel Wildcat Lake gives Googlebook a serious x86 foundation, while Qualcomm and MediaTek keep the door open for lighter Arm designs. If Google gets the software right, Googlebook could finally make the Chromebook idea feel more relevant for Malaysian students, creators and everyday users in 2026.
Source: TechPowerUp