Intel Unveils 'Panther Lake' Processor Powered by 18A Tech
Just six months after a major leadership change, Intel is making some serious waves! They've just announced a brand-new processor, internally named "Panther Lake", and it's a big deal. It's the next iteration of their Intel Core Ultra processor line, but what's truly exciting is that it's the first chip built using their cutting-edge 18A semiconductor process.
The plan is to start shipping these processors later this year.
A Big Deal for US Manufacturing
This announcement isn't just about a new processor; it's also a statement about Intel's commitment to US manufacturing. The company is highlighting that the 18A semiconductor process is the most advanced chip manufacturing process produced domestically. I think it's a smart move to emphasize this, especially with the ongoing discussions around bringing more tech manufacturing back to the US. It seems like they want to take advantage of a more patriotic world-view and benefit from it.
Intel also gave us a sneak peek at their Xeon 6+, codenamed Clearwater Forest, which is their initial 18A-based server processor. We should see that one hitting the market in the first half of 2026.
This is the largest manufacturing announcement since Lip-Bu Tan took over as Intel's CEO. It's clear that he's making some significant changes to refocus the company and get back to that engineering-first mentality, something I believe Intel was losing focus on in recent years. It's like he's saying, "Okay, we're back to basics, folks. Innovation is the name of the game." And I'm here for it!
Source: TechCrunch