Intel is set to reveal key details about its next-generation laptop chip, codenamed “Panther Lake,” on Thursday. The move is a clear attempt to reassure nervous investors and prove that the struggling chipmaker is finally getting its manufacturing act together.
Panther Lake is a big deal for Intel. It’s the company’s first major product to be made entirely using its new, cutting-edge “18A” manufacturing process, a technology that Intel has spent billions developing. For years, Intel has been losing market share to its rival, AMD, largely due to its own manufacturing stumbles. Panther Lake is its chance to turn things around.
Last week, Intel hosted a series of technical briefings and factory tours in Arizona for industry analysts, providing them with a deep dive into the new chip’s architecture. According to sources, the new chips will use 30% less energy than the previous generation and will offer a 50% performance boost in some situations.
The company is placing a great deal of importance on the success of Panther Lake. Intel recently reported a massive $2.9 billion quarterly loss and has been under intense pressure from investors, as well as the Trump administration. The administration recently brokered a deal to take a 9.9% stake in the company, a move designed to support American manufacturing.
While Intel is showcasing its new technology and factories, it has yet to disclose the actual yield of high-quality chips. But the message from the company is clear: after years of problems, it’s finally ready to compete again.
