Intel currently has Meltdown and Spectre patches ready for 90 percent of modern processors.

With Meltdown and Spectre turning into something of a PR disaster for Intel, the chip-maker has promised that patches will be made available for the vast majority of modern processors by the end of next week.

The company says that it has already released "updates for the majority of processor products introduced within the past five years" in the form of firmware updates and software patches. By the end of next week, Intel hopes to have released updates for 90 percent of processors from the last five years. Refuting claims that have been made by many parties, Intel denies that the patches come with a significant performance impact, and says that any negative side effects will be mitigated against over time.

Intel is focusing attention on chips that have been produced in the last five years -- which is understandable to a degree. The company says that it "has developed and is rapidly issuing updates for all types of Intel-based computer systems," but it is not clear when -- or whether -- older devices will be treated to patches.

In a Statement posted on its website, Intel says:

Intel has already issued updates for the majority of processor products introduced within the past five years. By the end of next week, Intel expects to have issued updates for more than 90 percent of processor products introduced within the past five years. In addition, many operating system vendors, public cloud service providers, device manufacturers and others have indicated that they have already updated their products and services.