Did we just get a confirmation about the release time frame for Windows 12 — and from Intel, of all sources? It seems that way. Intel spoke about its predictions for 2024, indicating that it expects 2024 to be a good year for client processors. That’s huge for Intel because the next generation of its top processors, Meteor Lake, is set to come out in 2024. However, if Intel is right, it might be a big year for Microsoft, too.
The information comes from a transcript of the Citi 2023 Global Technology Conference. Most of it wasn’t too exciting — fireside chats aren’t often that interesting to the masses — but there’s a little comment in there that piqued our interest. “We actually think 2024 is going to be a pretty good year for client [processors], in particular, because of the Windows refresh. And we still think that the installed base is pretty old and does require a refresh and we think next year may be the start of that, given the Windows catalyst. So we’re optimistic about how things will play out beginning in 2024,” said Intel, first shared by PCGamer.
The mysterious term “Windows refresh” sounds quite ambiguous, and Windows 12 is not mentioned at any point. However, it’s hard to imagine Intel getting excited about any particular Windows update unless it’s actually the new version of the operating system. After all, Microsoft releases patches pretty regularly, but a redesigned Windows could go well with the redesigned Meteor Lake. The chip is said to have a completely new architecture, with separate compute, GPU, IO, and AI dies. Intel Meteor Lake might be laptop-only, but Arrow Lake-S is also said to be coming out in the second half of 2024 for desktops, so Intel has a big year ahead. If the new chips provide great integration with Windows 12, that’d be a strong reason for Intel to expect an increased adoption, both for the new CPUs and the fresh OS.
Just as Intel’s plans are still a bit hazy, we don’t know much about Windows 12. In a way, it almost feels like Microsoft has been soft-launching Windows 12 for a while just by updating Windows 11. Microsoft Copilot and its close integration into the OS is almost worthy of being a Windows 12 feature, and yet, it’s already here. Windows 12 is likely to make the tie to Copilot even stronger, building AI into the very foundation of the operating system. Meteor Lake’s dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) on the SoC plays into that very well.
Windows 11’s adoption has been slowing down lately, both in the consumer space and for businesses. Windows 12 will probably serve as the final nail in the coffin of Windows 10 and speed up the adoption process. Will it come out in 2024 as Intel seems to predict? We’ll have to wait and see, but Intel’s little teaser seems like more than a throwaway comment.
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 24H2 (KB5050094 and KB5051987) updates are causing some serious performance issues, especially for Intel Core Ultra 9 285K users, as Neowin reports. The updates interfere with CPU speeds when a user minimizes a program or the app is out of focus. However, older Intel processors remain unaffected. It’s reported that apps are “massively throttled,” causing the CPU’s clock rate to drop significantly and deteriorating overall performance. Some users have resorted to using beta BIOS or changing power settings to preserve CPU performance during background processes. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K slowdown is causing some major headaches as the issues occur across various apps, including Prime95 and 7Zip. This suggests that the 24H2 performance issues are not limited to one app but are linked to KB 5050094 and KB5051987 updates.
Intel’s desktop processors might not be setting the world on fire in early-2025, but its mobile chips are still some of the best in the game, and that’s only going to continue later this year. Panther Lake is Intel’s next-generation Core Ultra CPU design, and though originally expected to be a desktop and laptop line of processors, it’ll most likely be a mobile-only design. That’s still worth getting excited over though, with early rumors suggesting some impressive onboard GPU performance and improved AI capabilities. We don’t have all the details just yet, but here’s what we know about Intel Panther Lake so far.
Naming and release
Intel has slated Panther Lake for release in the second half of 2025, likely towards the end of the year. There’s some suggestion that production of the new chips won’t enter full swing until 2026, also, which might mean availability of Panther Lake laptops is initially quite limited, increasing as the new year rolls around.
Intel’s latest generation desktop processors didn’t exactly blow us away when they debuted in 2024, but we can already start to look forward to the next-next-generation of team blue CPUs, slated to debut sometime in 2026. Nova Lake, as it’s currently codenamed, is reportedly out with developers at this time while Intel refines and polishes it ahead of wider production. They might be a way off yet, but if you’re planning to upgrade to Intel’s latest and greatest in the further-future, here’s what we know about Nova Lake so far.
