Intel definitively claims its laptop chips aren’t crashing because of that voltage thing

It's been a burning question for months - are Intel's laptop chips susceptible to the same permanent damage that can potentially lay 24 different flagship desktop chips low?

Today, Intel has finally confirmed: its 13th and 14th Gen laptop chips do not seem to have an instability issue. And the company claims they are definitely not affected by the too-high voltage issue, which it's now calling "Vmin Shift Instability."

While Intel maintains that Vmin Shift Instability is not necessarily the root cause or only cause of the crashes - it's still investigating - Intel spokesperson Thomas Hannaford now tells The Verge that laptop chips basically aren't affected at all. "Confirming 13/14th gen mobile isn't impacted by the instability issue broadly speaking," he tells me by email. A game developer, Alderon Games, had raised concerns that laptop chips were affected last month.

Additionally, Intel is saying today that many desktop chips aren't affected by the specific voltage issue, either: 13th and 14th Gen i5 chips that aren't part of the K-series, i3 chips, and Xeon chips aren't affected, it claims.

Here's more info direct from Intel:

Unaffected Products ListFollowing the recent warranty extension announcement for affected Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors, Intel confirms these currently available processors are not affected by the Vmin Shift Instability issue:12th Gen Intel Core desktop and mobile processorsIntel Core 13th and 14th Gen i5 (non-K) & i3 desktop processorsIntel Core 13th and 14th Gen mobile processors - including HX-series processors.Intel Xeon processors - including server and workstation processors.Intel Core Ultra (Series 1) processorsIntel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Processor BIOS UpdatesWhile most Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors are not impacted by the Vmin Shift Instability issue, Intel recommends all users continue following guidance:Ensure the system is running with the latest BIOS, which users can look up through Intel's Compatibility Tool and/or their motherboard manufacturer's website. Users can also learn more about how to update their BIOS by visiting the following site: How to Update BIOS.Utilizing the Intel Default Settings recommendations for their Intel Core 13th and/or 14th Gen desktop processor - including both Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen consumer, commercial, and entry workstation desktop systems.

Intel also reiterated today that its future chips, including those coming this fall on the new Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake architectures, won't be affected by the Vmin Shift Instability issue. "Intel will ensure future product families are protected against the Vmin Shift Instability issue as well."

At this point, every motherboard maker should have BIOS updates out that can reduce the potential for your i9, i7, or K-series i5 desktop CPU to be permanently damaged. But if it's already damaged, it's toast - and you should contact Intel or your PC builder immediately to get it replaced, now that basically all of them offer a two-year warranty extension on the CPU issue.

We confirmed with practically every PC maker that they'll honor that warranty extension, and I'd like to hear from you if they don't.