I think you're probably referring to Spectre and related speculative execution bugs. Apparantly Intel has released hardware 'mitigations' on some of their latest processors, but whether for domestic laptops I don't know.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(security_vulnerability)

If you want to speed up an old laptop - or desktop - fit an SSD. The effect on our 10 year old Lenovo was dramatic. And ensure it has the maximum amout of memory that it will take.