Intel’s next big chip manufacturing bet, 18A, is reportedly creating some serious tension behind the scenes with PC makers — and yes, this could eventually matter for Malaysian buyers hunting for their next gaming laptop or productivity machine.
According to a report from Nikkei Asian Review cited by Wccftech, Intel is said to be pushing its PC partners to take newer CPUs built on its 18A process instead of older chips. The reason given to partners is simple: Intel apparently has better availability for the newer 18A parts, while supply for older Intel 7-based CPUs may be getting tighter.
The interesting part is how messy this sounds for manufacturers. One PC executive reportedly said their company ordered 100 Intel 7 CPUs but only received 30 chips — and 10 of those were newer 18A-based parts. The same executive claimed Intel told them that if they did not accept the 18A chips, those units would be offered to someone else.
That is a big deal because PC makers cannot always just swap in a newer chip and call it a day. Different CPUs can mean different board layouts, thermal designs, power targets, validation work, and product positioning. Nikkei’s report says companies may need to redesign products around these newer chips, including using better displays and upgraded components so the higher price makes sense to consumers.
For us in Malaysia and SEA, this is the part to watch. If laptop brands are forced to move faster into newer Intel platforms, we may see fewer cheap refresh models and more premium configs arriving first. That usually means higher launch prices in RM, especially for thin-and-light laptops, creator notebooks, and gaming laptops where brands love bundling nicer screens, more RAM, and better SSDs to justify the jump.
It could also affect timing. If manufacturers need to redesign systems, some models may launch later than planned. SEA markets like Malaysia often receive certain laptop SKUs after larger regions, so any delay upstream can easily turn into longer waits locally. For students, office users, and gamers waiting for promo-season deals on Shopee, Lazada, or local retailers, this could mean the “best value” Intel laptop cycle becomes a bit more unpredictable.
The 18A process is already getting attention because of Apple-related reports. Analysts from GF Securities Hong Kong reportedly claimed Apple had signed an agreement to use Intel’s 18A-P process for an M7 chip, while Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested Intel could give Apple extra leverage against TSMC as AI GPU demand fills up advanced chip capacity. Separately, those claims have made 18A one of the most watched nodes in the chip world right now.
Still, this PC partner situation is a different angle. Intel wants 18A to prove itself not just as a foundry story for outside customers, but as a real product foundation for the PC ecosystem. If supply of older nodes is drying up, partners may have less room to stick with familiar designs.
For Malaysian buyers, the practical advice is simple: don’t panic-buy, but watch the next wave of Intel laptops carefully. If upcoming models arrive with higher prices, better panels, and weirdly limited cheaper options, this chip supply shift might be one reason behind it. As always, the best buy is not always the newest badge — it is the machine that gives the most performance, thermals, warranty, and screen quality for the RM you are actually paying.
Source: Wccftech Gaming