The 14" XE GEN 3 combines the best out-of-the-box validated Linux experience with high-performance hardware. Recommended for software development, DevOps, office tasks, and general computing. Advanced CPU efficiency, along with Focus Power Tools and fan controls help it run cooler and quieter across all workloads.
Make quick work of single- and multi-core jobs with your choice of performant-yet-power-sipping Intel Core Ultra CPUs. The 16 cores and 5.1 GHz max frequency of the Core Ultra 7 255H are ideal for intensive development, VMs, containers, and media creation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H provides 14 cores and 4.9 GHz max frequency, still powerful and well-suited for office tasks, web browsing, streaming, and mobile productivity.
Apps run noticeably faster thanks to outstanding single- and multi-core performance of the Intel Ultra® series CPUs. They are up to 22% and 50% faster in single- and multi-core tests than the prior generation CPU [01] found in the XE GEN 2.
The system provides hushed, cool performance and long battery life for all but the most demanding tasks. The CPU has a modest 28 W base power and sips power. Sleep-and-resume is nearly instantaneous thanks to the fast, dual-channel RAM.
Intel Arc T140 and T130 graphics run 2-3x faster than 12th-generation Iris Xe graphics, and work well for content creation and casual games like Team Fortress 2, CS:GO, or Minecraft at 1080p. We only ship dual-channel RAM to ensure maximum graphics performance.
If you need ultimate graphics capabilities for visualization, deep learning, or games, we recommend you plug in an eGPU or consider a system like the Focus M2. However, if your GPU needs are more modest, you should be very pleased with the performance.
The XE GEN 3 provides a compelling balance of performance, features, value, and reliability. It features aluminum surfaces with durable resin bezels and keys. Everything you see, touch, or hear exudes quality, including Audio & Visual, Keyboard & Touchpad, and Focus Tools.
See and enjoy more on the taller 16:10 IPS display. It features wide viewing angles (> 130°), a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and 40 to 60 Hz refresh rates.
Join video meetings immediately using the integrated noise-canceling microphone array and the crisp, 1.0 megapixel webcam, and stereo speakers. Protect your privacy with the physical privacy webcam cover.
The Focus Hardware System optimizes the multimedia hardware by setting kernel parameters and other configurations for the iGPU, sound, and other features.
Control your computer with precision. Type quickly and accurately with the reliable scissor mechanism keyboard and 3 mm of key travel. Backlight your keys with your choice of 6 levels of intensity. Use 2 and 3-finger gestures on the spacious touchpad to tap and scroll easily through documents.
The Focus Hardware System optimizes for the keyboard and touchpad: it adjusts the Hints Widget to provide keyboard shortcut guidance; it configures the touchpad driver sensitivity and multitouch support; and it installs and configures the keyboard LED driver.
Make hard things easy with open-source Kubuntu Focus Tools. These are integrated with Kubuntu 26.04 LTS and are enhanced automatically with regular software updates.
Use System Rollback to take complete, cohesive snapshots of your system disk and restore them with a click. Open Power and Fan to control CPU power, brightness, frequency, and fan settings.
Get started fast with the comprehensive Welcome Wizard. Explore capabilities from the Feature Guide. Configure, install, and launch Curated Apps with a single click. Complete complex workflows in record time with Guided Solutions. Get enhancements automatically with Regular Software Updates. See the full list of Focus Tools here.
Communicate fast with high-speed Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet. Enjoy the ease of connecting just about anything to eight high-speed ports without expensive dongles or docks.
Connect the way you want with the latest Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth technologies. Whether you're at home, work, or on the road, communicating has never been faster or easier.
Connect to anything, anytime, with all the high-speed ports you need. For example, you can surround yourself with two external 4K monitors, edit photos from a micro SD card, navigate with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and charge-and-debug a phone. All at the same time.
We benchmark Focus systems extensively to optimize for compatibility and performance. We hope you find the highlights below helpful when assessing the capabilities of the XE GEN 3 and encourage you to compare the results with your device or others.
The "Arrow Lake" P-cores provide some of the best single-core scores available in a laptop. As a result, apps load in a snap and run quickly.
Both CPU options use the TSMC 3 nm process and are highly efficient. Multithreaded tasks scale well thanks to a generous 24 MB Smart Cache (18 MB on the Ultra 5). If you need more performance, you might consider a mobile workstation like the M2 or Zr with more cores, threads, and thermal headroom.
| Geekbench 5 [02] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Processor | Single-Core | Multi-Core | |
| XE GEN 3 | Ultra 7 255H | 2,283 | 13,368 | |
| Ar GEN 1 | Ultra X7 358H | 2,232 | 12,578 | |
| Ir16 GEN 2 | i5-13500H | 1,836 | 9,975 | |
| Ir14 GEN 1 | i5-12450H | 1,779 | 7,753 | |
| XE GEN 2 | i7-1260P | 1,864 | 8,870 | |
| XE GEN 1 | i5-1135G7 | 1,515 | 5,370 | |
| M2 GEN 6 Workstation | Ultra 9 275HX | 2,405 | 23,818 | |
We found fluid frame rates from 40 to 90 FPS at medium-to-high settings for mid-level games like CS:GO, Team Fortress 2, Left for Dead, Dota 2, and Minecraft. We only ship dual-channel RAM to ensure maximum iGPU performance.
All benchmarks were run on AC power in High Performance mode. Compositing was disabled where applicable. Maximum fan volume was 32 dB two feet from screen center.
Unigine Heaven Ultra settings include Ultra preset, 1080p, normal tessellation, and 8x antialiasing. Unigine Heaven Medium settings include Medium preset, 1080p, normal tessellation, and 2x antialiasing.
All results show average FPS and Score. If a separate score is not provided by the benchmark, then FPS alone is shown.
| Benchmark | XE GEN 3 | Ar GEN 1 | Ir16 GEN 2 | Ir14 GEN 1 | XE GEN 1 | M2 GEN 6 RTX 5070 Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unigine Superposition | 42/5,600 | 36/4,811 | 21/2,862 | 11/1,524 | 15/2,019 | 192/25,483 |
| Unigine Heaven | 65/1,625 | 49/1,222 | 37/943 | 22/559 | 29/727 | 343/8,652 |
We believe that the XE GEN 3 delivers an excellent balance of OS integration, Linux-first support, performance, battery life, value, and reliability. Here are the technical details so you may decide if it is right for you. If you have any questions, please call 844-536-2871 or write TellMeMore@kfocus.org.
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[01] Based on XE GEN 2 Geekbench 5 scores of 1864/8870 versus XE GEN 3 of 2283/13368.
[02] Unless otherwise noted, benchmarks were run on AC power with compositing disabled and the CPU set to high-performance mode with the linear fan curve. Max GPU temperature was 73° C and the max fan volume was 42 dB, measured two feet from the screen center.
FREE SHIPPING: Applies to shipping to continental US and Canada. All orders are fully insured and signature verified. Shipping costs to other locations are reduced by an equivalent value which varies by model.
KUBUNTU 26.04 LTS + KFS: All Kubuntu Focus Systems will now ship with 26.04 LTS with the Kubuntu Focus Suite of tools, optimizations, and support, maintained for your system for a minimum of 3 years after last sale.
29 JUNE 2026: We are finalizing integration of Kubuntu 26.04 LTS with KFS to all systems, and expect to ship the first units with this OS on 29 June 2026.
HAVE QUESTIONS?Call 844-536-2871 or write
TellMeMore@kfocus.org | GET FOCUS MERCH
