Skip to main content

Intel may have accidentally leaked the release date for Windows 12

Someone typing on the Surface Laptop Studio 2's touchscreen.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

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 announcing the Meteor Lake release date on Intel Innovation.
Intel

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Monica J. White
Monica is a UK-based freelance writer and self-proclaimed geek. A firm believer in the "PC building is just like expensive…
Intel’s Raptor Lake refresh prices have leaked, and hikes are on the way
An Intel processor over a dark blue background.

We're most likely just a couple of weeks away from the release date for the Intel Raptor Lake refresh, and while Intel itself hasn't said much about it, interesting tidbits of information leak out pretty frequently. Today, we got a good look at what might be the pricing of almost the entire lineup. And it looks like price increases are coming, however minor they may be.

We expected that a price hike was likely for the Raptor Lake refresh, and that's exactly what seems to be happening. As per a tip sent to VideoCardz, the majority of the 14th-Gen lineup appeared briefly at a Canadian retailer known as Canada Computers. While the CPUs weren't listed, they could be found by searching for the product names, and that gives an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that these prices are in Canadian dollars.

Read more
Intel Meteor Lake is coming to desktop, but there’s a big catch
Intel announcing the Meteor Lake release date on Intel Innovation.

It's been a real roller coaster ride with Intel Meteor Lake. First, it was coming to desktops, then it wasn't, then it was, and now ... it isn't, but it is. If you're as confused as we are, don't worry -- Intel has set things straight and we now know that Meteor Lake chips will be available in desktops, but they won't become some of the best processors for desktop PCs, all because they're not socketed.

Intel spoke about the future of its 14th-Gen Meteor Lake chips in a statement made to ComputerBase, revealing that, yes, Intel Meteor Lake will come to desktop PCs, but only all-in-one (AIO) computers like the Intel NUC or small form-factor PCs. It won't be available in socketed form, which means that you won't be able to install it in a future LGA1851 motherboard. In short, Meteor Lake chips are laptop CPUs, through and through.

Read more
Intel 14th-gen Meteor Lake: news, rumors, release date speculation
On-package memory on Intel Meteor Lake processors.

Intel's 14th-gen Meteor Lake processors are just around the corner. Although we don't have a firm release date yet, Intel has confirmed the processors are still set to arrive in 2023. The company has also been releasing a steady stream of details about the processors, giving us an idea of what to expect when they finally release.

Currently, all eyes are on Intel Innovation on September 19, where we expect to get a full breakdown of 14th-gen Meteor Lake processors. Ahead of the event, here's everything we know about Meteor Lake, including its architecture, release date, and potential performance.
Pricing and release date

Read more