Intel confirms that Meteor Lake will not be released as a desktop variant after all

Intel confirms that the Meteor Lake CPUs will not be coming to desktops after all. There will be no CPU with a socket, but only versions for laptops and all-in-one and mini PCs such as NUCs. Last week the company implied otherwise, but that turned out to be a misunderstanding.

Intel says so against ComputerBase. The site questioned Intel about the conflicting reports surrounding the Meteor Lake processor, which the company showed during a presentation earlier this month. The company did not say at the time whether it was a generation for desktops or only for laptops. That was obvious; In the presentations Intel only mentioned the mobile SoCs.

A week ago, various media, including ComputerWorld, asked whether Intel would also release the Meteor Lakes for the desktop. The company then implied that it would and that it would happen in 2024. That was already a striking announcement, because Intel also wants to release the Raptor Lake Refresh CPUs later this year, which seem to be explicitly intended for the desktop.

Intel’s story appears to be different, says ComputerBase, which inquired with the company. ComputerBase wanted to know what exactly Intel meant by desktops and whether that also meant a CPU with a socket. That is not the case, says Intel. By “desktops,” the company means pre-built all-in-one PCs, mini PCs and NUCs that have a mobile, non-replaceable processor.