Intel’s latest Panther Lake SoC is showing battery performance comparable to Apple’s M5 series, according to recent tests. Under heavy load, Intel’s newest chipset delivers nearly identical endurance levels to Apple’s entry-level M5 processor, signaling a major leap in energy efficiency for Intel laptops.

The benchmark compared an Asus 14-inch ExpertBook Ultra running Intel’s 18A-based Panther Lake chip against a 14-inch MacBook Pro M5. Despite Apple’s M5 being widely regarded for its exceptional battery life, Intel’s Panther Lake demonstrated comparable efficiency, even during sustained workloads.

Panther Lake represents Intel’s newest high-efficiency architecture designed to optimize power consumption while maintaining strong performance. The results suggest Intel is closing the battery life gap that has historically favored Apple’s ARM-based M series in portable devices.

Industry analysts view this development as significant for Windows laptop users who seek longer battery life without compromising processing power. Improved energy efficiency could make Intel-powered ultrabooks more competitive in mobile and professional markets.

The test also highlights how Intel’s 18A process node and advanced power management techniques are enhancing real-world performance, making Panther Lake a strong contender for productivity-focused laptops. This progress is expected to influence both consumer and enterprise laptop adoption in the coming years.