Intel says it’s selling every affordable laptop chip it can make
Intel executives reveal budget Wildcat Lake chips are sold out amid ongoing RAM shortages, projecting memory supply will not improve through 2027.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Intel's budget Wildcat Lake chips are completely sold out as demand outstrips supply
- Severe RAM shortages are driving up PC prices and keeping baseline memory at 8GB
- Intel expects memory supply issues to persist through 2027 before reassessing in 2028
During Intel's latest earnings call, CEO Lip-Bu Tan revealed that demand for its budget-focused Wildcat Lake chips is outstripping supply. According to CFO David Zinsner, the chips are now completely sold out, with the company seeing significant growth driven by cost-optimization arriving at the right time.
As shortages of RAM and other components have driven up PC prices over recent months, Intel's Wildcat Lake chips have powered new lower-cost Windows laptops like the Dell XPS 13 and HP Omnibook 5 14. These budget-friendly devices often launch with a starting configuration of just 8GB of RAM to maintain lower price points.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Addressing questions regarding memory supply, Zinsner made it clear that the company is not optimistic about the outlook for next year. He noted that they will have to evaluate the situation in 2028 to see if things improve, while their current expectation is no recovery throughout 2027—a stance slightly more optimistic than SK Hynix's prediction that the RAM shortage will drag on through 2030.
"Make no mistake, we are not optimistic about next year in terms of memory."
David Zinsner
Tan also acknowledged the broader PC demand slowdown, explaining that the industry continues to navigate one of the most significant supply shortages in history, largely fueled by unprecedented demand for AI superintelligence. Despite these headwinds, Zinsner expressed optimism that the personal computer market will eventually undergo a renaissance.
The ongoing memory and RAM shortages highlight how intense competition for advanced manufacturing capacity is straining hardware supply chains, squeezing profit margins and component availability for entry-level consumer laptops.
Source: The Verge
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment