In a surprising turn of events, Intel has officially confirmed the arrival of Meteor Lake processors for desktop PCs. Previously, the focus had been on laptops, but Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s Client Computing Group, dropped the bombshell during an interview with PC World on YouTube.
Desktop Meteor Lake: 2024 Release Confirmed
When directly asked about the possibility of a desktop version of Meteor Lake, Holthaus wasted no time in confirming, stating, “Desktop will come in 2024.” This revelation comes as a pleasant surprise to tech enthusiasts who had been left wondering about Intel’s intentions regarding the desktop segment.
Unification of Processor Families
Intel is aiming for a comprehensive approach by providing a single processor family that caters to both desktop and laptop markets. Holthaus emphasized this goal, saying, “I want one processor family top to bottom for both segments [desktop and laptop], doesn’t everybody?” This strategic move aims to streamline Intel’s product offerings and create a cohesive user experience across various computing devices.
The Controversial Meteor Lake Desktop Saga
The existence of Meteor Lake processors for desktops has been a subject of debate and speculation for some time. Initial rumors suggested that Meteor Lake would make its way to desktops alongside laptops. However, as time passed, these rumors lost momentum, and it appeared that Intel had abandoned the idea of Meteor Lake desktop processors altogether.
Holthaus’s recent announcement contradicts the earlier belief that Meteor Lake desktop had been shelved. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the release of Meteor Lake desktop is still some time away. While mobile chips are set to debut later this year, the desktop counterparts won’t arrive until 2024, with no specific release date disclosed.
Navigating Intel’s Desktop Processor Roadmap
In the immediate future, the desktop market will witness the launch of Raptor Lake Refresh, which is expected to run in parallel with Meteor Lake mobile. However, Meteor Lake desktop won’t make its appearance until later in 2024. This timeline raises questions about the potential overlap between higher-end Arrow Lake CPUs and lower-end Meteor Lake processors.
There are two plausible scenarios: one is that Intel will introduce Meteor Lake desktop in early 2024 to bridge the gap between Raptor Lake Refresh and Arrow Lake, which is slated for late 2024. The other possibility is that Meteor Lake desktop may arrive later in 2024, coexisting with Arrow Lake without significant overlap. Intel’s ability to manage this product release schedule will be closely watched by industry observers.
