Intel's High-Stakes CES: Unveiling Panther Lake Amid AI PC Push

LAS VEGAS — As CES 2026 opens, the spotlight is firmly on the companies building the silicon for artificial intelligence. Intel steps onto that stage today, with a launch event that carries significant weight for the chipmaker's future.

The company is set to detail its Core Ultra Series 3 processors, codenamed Panther Lake. These chips, fabricated on an advanced 18-angstrom (roughly 2nm) process, are engineered for premium laptops and gaming systems, forming the technical backbone of Intel's AI PC strategy.

Intel's position is complex. Over the last year, investments from NVIDIA and the U.S. government helped propel its stock upward. Yet its share price remains more than 20% below 2021 levels, as competitors including TSMC, Qualcomm, AMD, and NVIDIA have led in chip manufacturing and AI hardware development.

Senior Vice President Jim Johnson will host the presentation today at 6 p.m. ET, streamed on Intel's YouTube channel. The company promises to showcase a new generation of PCs and edge solutions powered by these processors.

A key question lingers: can Intel address reported manufacturing challenges? Last summer, industry reports suggested yields for these next-generation chips were below 50%. Intel has expressed confidence in its progress, though it missed an initial late-2025 target for Panther Lake.

Attendees may also listen for news on Intel's partnership with NVIDIA. One topic likely absent: any mention of Intel potentially manufacturing chips for a rumored, entry-level Apple MacBook Air. Such an announcement, if it happens, would come from Apple directly, on its own schedule.

Source: Engadget