Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake laptop processors, originally expected to launch in late 2025, may now be delayed until the first quarter of 2026. The delay appears to be linked to challenges with Intel’s 18A process node, which plays a critical role in the Panther Lake architecture. This shift could affect Intel’s competitive timeline as rival chipmakers continue advancing their own next-gen processors.
According to slides obtained by VideoCardz, Intel has listed Panther Lake for a Q1 2026 release, suggesting a delay from previous expectations. These internal documents also hint that Panther Lake could be branded under the Core Ultra 300 series when it finally launches, following Intel’s recent shift in naming conventions.
According to news estimate intel 18A Panther Lake will HVM in September and will launch in October , start EEP (Early Enablement Program) limit supply to OEM , will be available on the market Q1 2026 (actually Jan) . pic.twitter.com/9rbV9cdgjO
— meng (@meng59739449) March 14, 2025
Panther Lake is designed to be a major step forward in Intel’s mobile CPU lineup, likely bringing improvements in performance and power efficiency. However, sources indicate that Intel is facing manufacturing hurdles with its 18A process, which may have caused the company to push back the chip’s mass production schedule. If the delay holds, laptops powered by Panther Lake CPUs may not arrive until early 2026—months later than originally anticipated.
Despite the potential setback, Intel is preparing to launch an Early Enablement Program (EEP) this year. This initiative is expected to provide select partners and developers with early access to Panther Lake’s architecture, allowing them to optimize software and hardware well in advance of the official launch. While details remain scarce, this approach could help mitigate the impact of the delay and ensure that devices featuring Panther Lake CPUs are ready when the chips become available.
The reported delay could have significant implications for Intel’s market positioning, especially as competition in the laptop processor space intensifies. While Panther Lake is still expected to play a crucial role in Intel’s roadmap, the industry will be watching closely to see whether the company can overcome its manufacturing challenges and deliver these chips on schedule.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.