Intel CFO David Zinsner said during the company's latest earnings call that its budget-focused Wildcat Lake laptop chips are sold out, with demand having 'seen significant growth.' CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the chips' demand 'is outstripping supply,' adding that the industry is navigating one of the most significant supply shortages in history, driven by demand for artificial intelligence. Zinsner also warned that the memory shortage is unlikely to ease before 2028, telling investors, 'Make no mistake, we are not optimistic about next year in terms of memory.'
Wildcat Lake chips have been appearing in new lower-cost Windows laptops such as the Dell XPS 13 and the HP Omnibook 5 14, which are on par with Apple's MacBook Neo. These machines carry budget-friendly starting prices but often include just 8GB of RAM, which Windows laptops can struggle to get by on.
Shortages of RAM and other components have driven up PC prices. Zinsner said during the earnings call that Intel expects the memory shortage not to improve in 2027 and will have to see in 2028 whether things get better. That forecast is more optimistic than SK Hynix's prediction that the RAM shortage could drag on through 2030.
Tan acknowledged the broader PC demand slowdown, attributing it to supply constraints caused by 'unprecedented demand for super intelligence,' referring to AI. Despite the current headwinds, Zinsner said he believes 'the PC is going to go through a renaissance.'
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Intel's Wildcat Lake chips are a key option for affordable Windows laptops, and their sellout status risks raising prices for price-conscious consumers.
- A prolonged memory shortage means PC costs may stay elevated for several years, squeezing buyers and businesses.
- Intel's confidence in a PC renaissance, despite current downturn, points to a period of transformation for the PC industry.
Background
- Intel's Wildcat Lake is the company's budget-focused chip line for cost-effective Windows laptops.
- Wildcat Lake machines, such as the Dell XPS 13 and HP Omnibook 5 14, are positioned to compete with Apple's MacBook Neo.
- The broader PC market has faced component shortages that have pushed up prices in recent months.
Key Perspectives
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan: Demand for Wildcat Lake chips outstrips supply, driven by AI demand.
Intel CFO David Zinsner: Wildcat Lake chips are sold out; memory supply is unlikely to improve before 2028.
SK Hynix: Predicts the RAM shortage could last through 2030, a more downbeat view than Intel's.
What to Watch
- Future earnings reports from memory makers for updated supply forecasts.
- Intel's ability to ramp Wildcat Lake production and any new chip announcements.
- Consumer PC price trends and whether the memory shortage prompts shifts in laptop configurations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedIntel CFO David Zinsner said Wildcat Lake chips are sold out.The Verge: “According to CFO David Zinsner, the chips are now sold out.”
- SupportedZinsner expects memory shortages not to improve in 2027.The Verge: “our expectation is that it does not improve in ‘27.”
- SupportedCEO Lip-Bu Tan said demand for Wildcat Lake chips is outstripping supply.The Verge: “CEO Lip-Bu Tan said that demand for its budget-focused Wildcat Lake chips “is outstripping supply.””
- SupportedSK Hynix predicts RAM shortages may last through 2030.The Verge: “That’s more optimistic than SK Hynix’s prediction that the RAM shortage will drag on through 2030.”
- Partly supportedZinsner said Wildcat Lake demand had “seen significant growth.”The Verge: “Zinsner said Intel has “seen significant growth in Wildcat Lake. It’s coming exactly at the right time because it’s cost-optimized and we’re seeing a lot of focus in that regard.””
- SupportedTan said the industry was navigating one of its most significant supply shortages in history, driven by demand for AI.The Verge: ““The industry continues to navigate one of the most significant supply shortages in the [sic] history, driven by the unprecedented demand for super intelligence,” referring to AI.”
- SupportedZinsner told investors, “Make no mistake, we are not optimistic about next year in terms of memory.”The Verge: “Zinsner responded to a question about memory supply, saying, “Make no mistake, we are not optimistic about next year in terms of memory.””
- SupportedZinsner said Intel expects memory shortages not to improve in 2027 and will have to see in 2028 whether conditions get better.The Verge: “He added, “we’ll, you know, have to see in ‘28 whether things improve, but our expectation is that it does not improve in ‘27.””
- SupportedShortages of RAM and other components have driven up PC prices.The Verge: “As shortages of RAM and other components have driven up PC prices over recent months, Intel’s Wildcat Lake chips have been appearing in new lower-cost Windows laptops”
- SupportedThe lower-cost laptops often include just 8GB of RAM, which Windows laptops can struggle to get by on.The Verge: “Wildcat Lake laptops like these have budget-friendly starting prices, but often with just 8GB of RAM, which Windows laptops can struggle to get by on.”
- Partly supportedTan attributed the broader PC demand slowdown to supply constraints caused by unprecedented demand for AI.The Verge: “Tan also acknowledged the PC demand slowdown, saying, “The industry continues to navigate one of the most significant supply shortages in the [sic] history, driven by the unprecedented demand for super intelligence,” referring to AI.”
- SupportedZinsner said he believes “the PC is going to go through a renaissance.”The Verge: “Zinsner went on to respond to a question during the earnings call, saying, “We do think the PC is going to go through a renaissance despite this.””
