Chromebook “Felino” Spotted With Panther Lake CPU and 12 Xe3 GPU Cores in Shipping Manifest
A surprising new leak suggests that the Chromebook platform may soon see its most powerful device to date. According to a shipping manifest spotted by hardware enthusiast @x86deadandback, a prototype Chromebook codenamed Felino is being tested with Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake CPU featuring 12 Xe3 GPU cores - a configuration typically reserved for high-performance laptops rather than ChromeOS devices.
Earlier this year, Chrome Unboxed reported that Felino would be the first Chromebook baseboard tied to Panther Lake, with Acer believed to be the manufacturer. The shipping logs now confirm this suspicion, identifying the prototype as a Chromebook 16, featuring a large 16-inch display form factor.
Most Chromebooks don’t require high-performance CPUs, as ChromeOS and its web-based applications run smoothly on low to mid-tier processors. Even quad-core CPUs are generally more than enough. While some higher-end Chromebooks have shipped with Intel Core i5 or i7 chips, these usually come from ultra-efficient lineups focused on maximizing battery life over raw power.
The leaked Panther Lake chip, however, breaks this mold. Logs indicate the use of a PTL-H SKU with stepping code Q7AP, the same family where Intel’s top-tier 16-core variant resides. This means the Felino Chromebook could be equipped with:
16-core CPU configuration: 4 performance cores (P-Cores) + 8 efficient cores (E-Cores) + 4 low-power efficient cores (LPEs)
12 Xe3 GPU cores for integrated graphics power well beyond what’s typically seen in Chromebooks
Chromebook "Felino" 484 12Xe3 32GB & 1TB 16" https://t.co/h6QsHN4vbi pic.twitter.com/hjir6VxqrN
— X86 is dead&back (@x86deadandback) September 12, 2025
This aligns with recent reports that only the highest-end PTL-H models carry 12 Xe3 GPU cores, while PTL-U chips (likely candidates for Chromebooks) are limited to 4 Xe3 cores.
The inclusion of such a high-performance chip raises questions. Chromebooks generally rely on lightweight workloads, browser apps, and Android integration - areas that don’t demand a 16-core CPU or a GPU rivaling discrete entry-level graphics cards.
One possible explanation is that Acer and Intel may be testing the limits of what ChromeOS hardware can handle, potentially positioning this model to compete against Windows ultrabooks and premium MacBooks. Another possibility is a focus on gaming through cloud services and Android ports, where stronger integrated graphics could make a tangible difference.
Regardless, if the leak holds true, the Felino Chromebook 16 could become the most powerful Chromebook yet, representing a significant departure from the platform’s traditional lightweight ethos.
Would you buy a Chromebook with a 16-core CPU and 12 Xe3 GPU cores, or is this level of performance wasted on ChromeOS?
