Buzz
The name Intel Evo is undoubtedly familiar, as you may have heard it at least once or may be using a laptop that meets the Intel Evo standard. This standard is set by Intel for manufacturers using Intel processors. Check below for more details about Intel Evo. In my opinion, laptops at the current time should have Intel Evo (especially ultrabooks), and you should consider buying a laptop with Intel Evo to simplify everything.
Quick Wakeup Time
According to Intel, laptops meeting the Intel Evo standards can boot from sleep mode in just under 1 second. In reality, my experience might not be that swift, but it's definitely a solid 1 to 2 seconds, providing a highly efficient user experience.
Not to mention, the boot time on Intel Evo laptops is impressively fast. I'm currently using an AMD laptop, of course, without Intel Evo, and waking up from sleep mode takes about 3 seconds (not including the time to unlock with Windows Hello facial recognition). In contrast, Intel Evo laptops handle all of this within a mere 3 seconds.
Fast wakeup and quick unlock contribute to a faster start to your workday. Just 3 seconds may not seem like much, and you might think you're making a big deal out of it, but it's akin to pulling your phone out of your pocket and taking 3-4 seconds just to unlock it – annoying, right? Especially on a laptop, especially when you have urgent tasks at hand.
Instant Wake also positions laptops with Intel processors to compete better with Arm-based laptops, especially in terms of startup speed, as these are often referred to as 'Always Connected' devices.
In addition to fast startup, Intel Evo also mandates biometric security features like fingerprint recognition, facial recognition via Windows Hello, or unlocking through your phone (via Bluetooth), known as the Dynamic Lock feature.
1080p Webcam
With Intel Evo 3.0 standards, Intel mandates manufacturers to equip laptops with a minimum 1080p@30fps webcam, a feature highly encouraged by users. As we're stepping into 2023, a laptop with a 720p webcam is simply unacceptable in my view. Not to mention the security options and meeting enhancements like background removal, auto-framing, and more – a mere 720p webcam would struggle to deliver a satisfactory experience.
Many business laptops I'm aware of, whether Intel Evo certified or not, already boast a 1080p webcam, and some go even beyond. It's a positive trend, and manufacturers should seriously consider this aspect.
Thunderbolt 4
If you're in the market for a laptop with the latest and most sophisticated connectivity options via USB-C, then opting for Intel Evo is almost a no-brainer. Of course, there are laptops without Intel Evo that still feature Thunderbolt 4, but starting from Intel Evo 3.0, this becomes a mandatory standard.
You can find this in laptops meeting the Intel Evo criteria in the sub-30 million VND price range, especially in the 20-25 million VND ultrabook segment with many popular options.
Thunderbolt 4 also brings peace of mind during usage, encompassing standards like DP Alt Mode, up to 100W PD, data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, and more. Of course, Thunderbolt comes with its complexities in the ever intricate world of USB-C, but with Intel Evo, you can rest assured about this.
In addition to Thunderbolt, we also have Wi-Fi 6E, smart Wi-Fi management, and options for LTE or 5G connectivity.
Long Battery Life
Since Intel Evo 2.0, Intel states, based on their tests, that laptops provide a minimum of 9 hours of battery life with the option of an FHD LCD screen at 250 nits. You can refer to Intel's testing methodology in the article, and each model may have slightly different durations, but the baseline remains around that mark.
Current ultrabooks with improved processor advancements are providing significantly better battery life with each CPU generation. It's not necessarily exclusive to Intel Evo to have long-lasting battery; Windows Arm laptops like the ThinkPad X13s or my current AMD Ryzen PRO 6000 series laptop also deliver 8-9 hours of normal usage. However, as I mentioned, Intel Evo brings peace of mind to users, eliminating the need for extensive contemplation.
Alongside enduring battery life, fast charging is a mandatory factor, with the ability to charge 50% in just 30 minutes, requiring a minimum power of 65W. While this is commonplace for smartphones, it's crucial for laptops.
Other Values: Latest CPU, Dual-Channel RAM, Intel's Newest Technologies...
Those are the four points I find most noticeable and palpable when using an Intel Evo laptop. Besides the mentioned aspects, Intel Evo brings forth numerous other values that users often overlook but are equally important. When the need arises, they are readily available, summarized in the table for easy reference.
In summary, Intel Evo is not just a standard anymore; it expands into a brand that allows users to recognize: ah, I have a laptop with top-notch and current standards right in front of me. Choosing a laptop becomes much simpler. Currently, with version 3.0, Intel states that over 100 models meet these standards, and there will be even more in the future. Stepping into a store, laptops with Intel Evo will be my priority choice.
