The first computers with Intel’s 5th-gen Core “Broadwell” processors will hit the streets this fall featuring the low-power Intel Core M processor. We’ll see more powerful Broadwell chips in 2015.

Intel wants developers to create software that takes advantage of the features of its chips… so the company’s created a Software Development Platform. Basically it’s an ultrabook designed by Intel which features some state-of-the-art hardware so that developers can test their apps on a system with a high-res display, active digitizer, 3D camera, and 5th-gen Core processor, among other things.

I haven’t seen any information about the laptop on Intel’s website, but the Intel 5th Generation Core Processor-based Software Development System showed up at the FCC this week.

intel sds_03

The FCC listing includes photos of the ultrabook and a user manual that describes the hardware in detail. Its features include:

  • 13.3 inch, 3200 x 1800 pixel multitouch display
  • 5th-gen Intel Core Broadwell-ULT 15W processor
  • 8GB DDR3 RAM
  • 360 degree hinge for Yoga-style switching between laptop and tablet modes
  • N-Trig DuoSense Pen 2 active pen
  • 180GB Intel Pro 2500 Series solid state drive
  • Two front-facing cameras (a full HD 2D camera and an Intel Realsense 3D camera)
  • 8MP rear camera with LED flash
  • Intel 7265 802.11ac WiFi + Bluetooth 4.0 module
  • Intel WiDi 5.0 wireless display and Miracast support
  • Intel XMM7160 LTE radio
  • NFC
  • Support for an optional WiGig wireless dock
  • Synaptics ForcePad touchpad
  • Fingerprint sensor
  • 2 USB 3.0 ports
  • HDMI
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • SDXC card reader
  • micro SIM card slot
  • Backlit keyboard

The system runs Windows 8.1 software, has ambient light and proximity sensors, stereo speakers, and a combo mic/headphone jack.

The convertible notebook measures 0.73 inches thick and weighs 3.4 pounds.

The system has a 6640mAh, 50.46Whr battery that seems to be split into two parts as per Intel’s most recent guidelines for thin-and light notebooks. This helps dissipate heat while keeping the ultrabook slim.

intel sds_02

On the side you’ll find volume, power, and rotation lock buttons, allowing you to perform certain actions even when the keyboard’s not available.

If I had to guess, I’d say Intel partnered with Lenovo to built this laptop. It looks like a Lenovo system and the power adapter looks like something you’d see on a Lenovo laptop.

This Intel Software Development System laptop probably won’t be available to the public, but this convertible ultrabook gives us a hint of what we might see from laptop makers when Broadwell-U chips are ready to go early next year.

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23 replies on “This is Intel’s Broadwell-based ultrabook for developers”

  1. Anyone has an idea how you can get one without having expensive contracts with Intel? These developers ultrabooks are better than anything in the market (also in review to the past developer books).

  2. Significant note, how Intel uses an two older generation Lenovo chasis (as @Roland appreciation), it’s a clear non biz interference between intel/lenovo.
    But Lenovo must take note about a full equipped yoga, it’s necessary … for example (GSM/4G), Fingerprint sensor, NFC, Ethernet (wired is yet need), … etc … etc …

  3. It is my opinion that the screen needs to detach and is able to operate alone. When you dock on the keyboard, you get more power, storage and even cooling to do more demanding apps, like Adobe’s full suite.

    The Transformer T100 is a great example. Just make the screen bigger and the keyboard far lighter (they actually put a heavy metal plate inside it to keep it balanced when in laptop mode!).

    This is going to be a transition time where we users can finally get a powerful system without a fan. The wireless dock should have a way to cool down the chips so that more power can be ramped up when docked to the home and office workstations but the standalone tablet needs to compete with the iPad Air in size, weight and quality.

    This is going to be an amazing product cycle. I wonder what company is going to nail the perfect balance with a platform that is easy to customize. I welcome the wireless drop and dock era.

      1. When is that due 2016? They showed all this cool wigig stuff over a year ago. Seems like Intel not having stiff competition is holding back

  4. Yep! please more developers love machines. But only 8Gb (ummm! at least two VM running + host) … not the way …
    Another important note: Broadwell (5th generation) FANLESS but I see a fan over CPU!!!. Maybe only M and not U (ult) will be fanless???

    1. I believe you have to have less than 5W to be fanless and not melt something.

  5. Want. Want. Want. O’ course, anything looks good compared to a Lenovo x120e running an early AMD E-350 CPU.

  6. They had these at their booth at IFA a couple of weeks back. They are probably built by Lenovo, because they look a lot like reused Yoga 13 devices – first gen, not the yoga 2 pro or even 3 pro. quite clunky and full of sensors and other funny stuff 😉

    1. I believe it’s a “target for” and not a “develop on” platform. But even so if you find 8GB of RAM confining you are doing something seriously wrong.

      1. Keith, you obviously aren’t forced to develop using bloated corporate software. I have to use Eclipse, beefy frameworks, and fat messaging busses.

        1. Admittedly, I think that’s the definition of “doing something seriously wrong.”

      2. maybe! like a proto … but then its a non developers pocket love!! 😉

      3. Or you’re just developing web apps. Just compiling large non-web app projects can take up a lot of RAM especially if you take advantage of multiple cores during the compile.

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