How to Check the Generation of Your Laptop
In the fast-paced world of technology, keeping track of the latest laptop generations can be a daunting task. With new models being released every year, it’s essential to know which generation your laptop belongs to, especially if you’re planning to upgrade or troubleshoot hardware and software compatibility issues. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of checking the generation of your laptop, regardless of whether you’re using a Windows, macOS, or Linux-based system.
Why Knowing Your Laptop’s Generation Matters
Before we dive into the steps, let’s briefly discuss why it’s essential to know your laptop’s generation:
- Hardware Compatibility: Different laptop generations may have varying hardware specifications and capabilities. Understanding your laptop’s generation can help you identify compatible accessories, such as RAM, storage devices, and docking stations.
- Software Support: Some software applications and operating systems are optimized for specific laptop generations. Knowing your laptop’s generation can assist you in ensuring that you’re using the right software and drivers.
- Warranty and Support: Manufacturers often provide different levels of support and warranties based on the laptop’s generation. Identifying your laptop’s generation can help you determine your eligibility for support and warranty services.
Now, let’s explore how to check your laptop’s generation on different operating systems:
1. Checking Laptop Generation on Windows:
- Step 1: Right-click on the “Start” button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Step 2: Select “System” from the context menu.
- Step 3: In the System window, look for information related to your laptop’s generation under the “Device specifications” section. You should see details like “Processor” and “Installed RAM,” which can help you identify your laptop’s generation.
2. Checking Laptop Generation on macOS:
- Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Step 2: Select “About This Mac” from the dropdown menu.
- Step 3: In the About This Mac window, you’ll find information about your laptop’s generation, including its model year and processor details.
3. Checking Laptop Generation on Linux:
- Step 1: Open a terminal window.
- Step 2: Enter the following command and press Enter:
lshw -c system
Step 3: Look for details about your laptop’s generation, including the product name and manufacturer, in the terminal output.
Additional Tips:
- You can also find your laptop’s generation by checking the manufacturer’s website and providing your laptop’s serial number or model name.
- If you’re using a laptop with a removable battery, you can often find generation information on a label underneath the battery.
In conclusion, knowing your laptop’s generation is crucial for ensuring compatibility, getting proper support, and making informed decisions about upgrades and software choices. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily identify the generation of your laptop, regardless of the operating system you’re using. Stay up-to-date with your laptop’s specifications to make the most of your computing experience in this ever-evolving tech landscape.
Intel® Processor Names and Numbers
New Streamlined Brand Naming Convention
Intel is introducing a new simplified brand – Intel® Processor – for affordable computing. Starting in 2023, these affordable computing products will be simply branded as Intel® Processor, instead of Intel® Pentium® and Intel® Celeron® processor.
This new, streamlined brand architecture will allow Intel to sharpen its focus on flagship brands, including Intel® Core™, Intel® Evo™, and Intel vPro®. Additionally, this update will streamline brand offerings across PC segments to enhance and enable Intel customer communication on each product’s value proposition. The new brand architecture is also expected to provide customers with a simplified purchasing experience by serving as a brand name for multiple processor families.
Intel will continue to deliver the same products and benefits within segments. The new Intel Processor brand will leave Intel’s current product offerings and roadmap unchanged.
Brand
The Intel naming scheme starts with the processor’s brand—the overall product line the processor was created for. The most common Intel processor names begin with Intel® Core™ or the new brand naming convention – Intel® Processor (replacing Intel® Pentium® and Intel® Celeron® product lines starting in 2023).
- Intel® Processor is an economical product line created for price-conscious consumers. Intel® Core™ processors bring faster performance and additional features not available in Intel® Processor models.
- Intel® Xeon® processors offer a higher level of performance for servers and workstations.
Generation Indicator
After the brand and brand modifier comes the processor’s generation indicator. Intel® Processor generations are identified in the processor number in most Intel® Core™ processor brands, with the generation being listed after the dash. When a processor has four or five digits, the first one or two digits represent the generation. For example, a processor with the digits 9700 is a 9th Gen processor, while one labeled 12800 is a 12th Gen processor.
*Note: Intel® Processor and Intel® Core™ i3 N-series will follow the current N-series naming convention which does not include a generation indicator in the number format.
For 10th-generation mobile Intel® Core™ processors, the Intel naming scheme differs slightly (see below). However, the first two digits in the product number will be 10.
Intel® Core™ i3 N-series
Intel is adding new Intel® Core™ i3 processors for the N-series to enable a step up in performance in the entry-level computing space for laptops and desktops. Intel® Core™ i3 N-series processors use a simple and different processor number format than the U, P, H, S, etc. series. The brand and brand modifier are followed by the N prefix and then 3 digits. The Intel® Core™ i3 N-series processors follow the current N-Series naming convention which does not include any generation indicator in the number format.
Generic format: Intel® Core™ i3-N### processor
An example of this format is the Intel® Core™ i3-N305 processor.
Intel® Processor
Intel is introducing a new processor brand for the entry-level computing space: Intel® Processor. Though existing Intel Pentium® and Intel Celeron® products will still be produced, Intel Processor will replace Intel Pentium® and Intel Celeron® in the new product stack starting in 2023. In its naming convention, “Intel® Processor” is followed by an alphanumeric prefix indicating the series, which is then followed by 3 digits. Intel® Processor follows the current N-Series naming convention which does not include any generation indicator in the number format.
Generic format: Intel® Processor N###. An example of this format is Intel® Processor N200.
*Note: The Intel® Processor alphanumeric prefix will start with an N or U.” Additionally, the Intel® Processor also includes other variations outside of N-series processors.
Intel® Pentium® Processors
The Intel® Pentium® Silver processors naming convention includes a single-letter prefix followed by a four-digit SKU number. Intel® Pentium® Gold processors, on the other hand, have no letter prefix and instead contain an SKU number followed by a suffix.
Higher numbers within the processor class or family indicate improved features and benchmarks, including cache, clock speed, or front-side bus. Intel® Pentium® Gold and Silver processors are distinguished by the overall CPU performance. Intel® Pentium® Gold processors are optimized for performance, while Intel® Pentium® Silver processors are optimized for cost.
View Intel® Pentium® processors ›
Intel® Celeron® Processors
The Intel® Celeron® processors naming convention includes two different formats. Some Intel® Celeron® processors have a three-digit numerical SKU with no alphabetical prefix.
Others include a single-letter prefix followed by a four-digit SKU number.
Higher numbers within the processor class or family typically indicate improved features and benchmarks, including cache, clock speed, or front-side bus.