# Intel Moon Lake and Wildcat Lake processor development

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/intel-moon-lake-and-wildcat-lake-processor-development
> Updated: 2026-11-05T05:30:10.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

Intel is reportedly developing two new processor families utilizing the Intel 18A manufacturing process to target different laptop segments.

The Moon Lake series is designed for extreme energy efficiency, specifically targeting the entry-level market, budget laptops, Chromebooks, and industrial applications. This series is expected to utilize the Darkmont architecture and consist solely of four low-power efficiency cores, omitting performance cores to achieve a base thermal design power (TDP) of 6W, with a configurable range up to 15W. This approach aims to compete with ARM-based devices by prioritizing battery life and affordability. Leaked reports suggest Moon Lake may launch in the fourth quarter of 2027, potentially utilizing Xe3 architecture graphics to enable fanless, ultra-thin laptops and entry-level mini-PCs.

Simultaneously, Intel is working on the Wildcat Lake Refresh series for the ultra-thin laptop segment. This series targets higher performance requirements by increasing the maximum number of performance cores from two to four, specifically using Cougar Cove architecture, while maintaining four low-power efficiency cores for a total of eight cores. The Wildcat Lake Refresh will feature a configurable TDP range from 10W to 35W and introduce support for Intel vPro technology for business environments. This family is projected to arrive in the second quarter of 2027 and may utilize an improved 18A-P manufacturing process.

Additionally, Intel is reportedly developing the next-generation Nova Lake architecture for future high-performance desktop and laptop applications.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-05: Intel reportedly planning Moon Lake and Wildcat Lake Refresh laptop chips for 2027

Intel is reportedly developing Moon Lake and Wildcat Lake Refresh processors for 2027, targeting ultra-efficient fanless laptops and high-performance business devices.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/intel-reportedly-planning-moon-lake-and-wildcat-lake-refresh-laptop-chips-for-2027

### 2026-10-30: Intel Moon Lake processors to target budget laptops under $400

Intel is developing Moon Lake, a 6W low-power processor using the 18A process to target budget laptops under $400.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/intel-moon-lake-processors-to-target-budget-laptops-under-400

### 2026-10-28: Intel plans Moon Lake and Wildcat Lake Refresh processors

Intel is preparing two new processor lines on the 18A process: Moon Lake, a 6W ultra-efficient chip with only efficiency cores, and Wildcat Lake Refresh, which increases performance core counts for thin-and-lgt

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diy-pc-builds-cost-more-than-steam-machine

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Cite as: Intel Moon Lake and Wildcat Lake processor development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/intel-moon-lake-and-wildcat-lake-processor-development