MediaTek and Intel partner up to bring 5G to laptops

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 7390 (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

Intel and MediaTek partnered together to bring 5G modems to PCs.
Dell and HP are "expected to be among the first OEMs" to make laptops powered by Intel and MediaTek 5G technology.
The first rollout of 5G PCs is expected in early 2021.

MediaTek announced a partnership with Intel that will bring 5G modems to PCs. The first PCs with built-in 5G support are expected in early 2021, according to MediaTek. MediaTek adds that "Dell and HP are expected to be among the first original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to deliver laptops powered by Intel and MediaTek's 5G solution."

MediaTek's work with 5G technology for mobile phones will help the transition to 5G support in PCs. The new 5G modems for PCs are based in part on the Helio M70 5G modem for smartphones.

"5G is poised to unleash a new level of computing and connectivity that will transform the way we interact with the world," according to Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group, Gregory Bryant. He also states that "Intel's partnership with MediaTek brings together industry leaders with deep engineering, system integration, and connectivity expertise to deliver 5G experiences on the next generation of the world's best PCs."

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MediaTek already works on technology that delivers 5G technology to mobile devices, smart devices, and the automotive industry. This new partnership with Intel expands that reach to the PC market.

Sean Endicott is a News Writer at Windows Central, where he covers Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, apps, and the broader PC ecosystem. Since joining the site in 2017, he has written well over a thousand articles across the Microsoft landscape, covering breaking news, analysis, and feature reporting.

He writes Windows Wrap, a weekly column covering the biggest stories in Windows and the PC industry, and what they mean for the platform going forward.

Before joining Windows Central full-time, Sean worked in journalism and media production after earning a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University. Outside of tech, he is an award-winning American football coach based in Nottingham, England, and was named BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year in 2024.