Intel has announced that its highly anticipated 18A chip production node is officially ‘ready for customer projects.’ This declaration raises questions about what it entails for the upcoming personal computers.

Previously disclosed details indicate that Intel’s next-generation laptop chip, Panther Lake, will utilize the new node. Production will commence later this year, but the launch of laptops featuring the 18A technology isn’t expected until early 2026.

Furthermore, Intel’s forthcoming desktop CPU, Nova Lake, is also projected to launch in 2026. Therefore, skepticism abounds regarding Intel’s claim of immediate readiness for the 18A node.

The new Intel website aims at attracting customers in its foundry business rather than promoting its own products. It clearly states, “Intel 18A is now ready for customer projects with the tape outs beginning in the first half of 2025.”

An example of in-house chips highlighted on the site is the Clearwater Forest server CPU, which was initially slated for 2025. However, it has since been postponed to the first half of 2026, which prompts concerns regarding 18A’s reliability.

The 18A node is touted as the culmination of Intel’s ‘five nodes in four years’ strategy, which began with Intel 7 and progressed through various iterations, including Intel 4 and Intel 3. In mid-2021, Gelsinger announced plans for these innovations to ensure 18A would be ready by summer 2025, leading many to suspect that the announcement of readiness might be more of a publicity move than an actual product availability.

Key Features of the 18A Node:

• Up to 15% better performance per watt and 30% better chip density compared to the Intel 3 process node.
• It represents the earliest available sub-2nm advanced node manufactured in North America, offering resilient supply alternatives for customers.
• Backside power delivery technology is introduced, enhancing cell utilization and reducing power delivery droops.
• RibbonFET gate-all-around transistor technology improves electrical current control while minimizing power leakage, crucial for compact chip designs.

If the 18A node satisfies its promises, it could provide solid competition against TSMC’s offerings. However, industry comparisons suggest Intel’s 18A node might not match the density of TSMC’s upcoming nodes, indicating more work could be necessary for Intel to reclaim its market position.