We know it is going to be delayed, but the article surely made it sound like whole Desktop Arc will be China exclusive at launch when it is only A3 Arc being China exclusive initially.
I agree but the whole staggered approach order isn't much better:
We will release our entry-level Intel Arc A-series products for desktops (A3) first in China through system builders and OEMs in Q2. Etail and retail component sales will follow shortly in China as well.
Roll-out of Intel Arc A5 and A7 desktop cards will start worldwide with OEMs and system integrators later this summer, followed by component sales in worldwide channels.
China oem then china component, then wordwide oem and after that worldwide component. I totally agree that they shouldn't release something that isn't ready but this "shareholder launch" aka "we launched desktop products in q2.." is a bit of a letdown. Maybe Battlemage will be their Alder Lake..