Panther Lake moved from roadmap promise to product launch at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Intel used Panther Lake to show progress on its 18A manufacturing process and its AI-PC strategy. The announcement also sharpened the race with AMD, Nvidia, and other chipmakers.
What Intel announced at CES 2026
Intel launched Panther Lake as its next-generation AI laptop chip line at CES on January 5, 2026. Reuters said Panther Lake is the first Intel laptop chip built on the company’s new 18A process. Intel executives framed it as a key step in regaining PC market share.
Intel also tied Panther Lake to a clear product brand. Jim Johnson, who leads Intel’s PC group, described the first shipping lineup as Intel Core Ultra Series 3. Reuters reported that these chips use a new transistor design and a new power delivery approach that comes with the 18A node.
Sources: Reuters (Jan. 5, 2026)
Panther Lake is not only a new laptop chip. It is also a public test of Intel’s most important manufacturing upgrade in years. Intel has leaned on external manufacturing for some recent client products, including Lunar Lake, which Reuters said was largely made by TSMC.
That context raises the stakes for Panther Lake. Investors want proof that Intel can deliver high-volume client chips on its own leading-edge node. If Panther Lake ships smoothly, it supports Intel’s broader manufacturing narrative.
Intel and Reuters highlighted a headline number for Panther Lake. Reuters reported Intel’s claim of about 60% better performance versus the prior Lunar Lake Series 2. Intel also published detailed benchmarks in a CES press release, including “up to 60%” multithread gains under specific test conditions.
Availability details were also concrete. Intel’s CES release said pre-orders for the first consumer laptops start on January 6, 2026. It said systems will be available globally starting January 27, 2026.
Why yield and execution still matter
Panther Lake also carries execution risk. Reuters noted Intel has struggled with yield for Panther Lake, meaning usable chips per wafer. Reuters added that Intel executives have said yields are improving monthly.
Those details matter because laptops are a volume market. If Panther Lake ramps without supply issues, Intel can meet partner demand across many designs. Intel’s CES release said the platform will power over 200 PC designs, which implies a wide launch footprint.
The AI-PC chip race at CES
CES has become a showcase for on-device AI claims. Panther Lake is Intel’s latest attempt to define “AI PC” around x86 performance and efficiency. Intel also pushed compatibility as a differentiator in its CES messaging.
Rivals used the same week to push their own storylines. Reuters reported AMD planned a CES keynote focused on new PC chips aimed at AI and graphics. Reuters also noted Nvidia’s CEO said its next-generation chips were in “full production,” with large claimed gains for AI workloads.
Panther Lake lands in that competitive noise. Yet it stands out because it is tied to Intel’s 18A process execution. That linkage makes Panther Lake more than a client refresh.
What to watch next
The next questions are practical. Reviewers will test whether Panther Lake hits its performance-per-watt goals in real laptops. Buyers will also see how pricing and design wins compare with AMD and other Windows laptop platforms.
For investors, the key is the ramp. Watch for signs that Panther Lake supply is steady through the first half of 2026. Also watch for updates on how quickly 18A yields improve at scale.
If Panther Lake delivers on both performance and volume, it strengthens Intel’s turnaround case. If it slips, the market may refocus on manufacturing risk.