Companies are seeking to utilize AI to remain competitive and PCs must evolve accordingly. That’s why PC AI will be the hot topic of 2024.
Manufacturers will aim to start a new upgrade cycle with the arrival of AI-powered PCs. But what sets them apart from regular PCs?
What is PC AI?
An AI PC refers to an intelligent personal computer that is specifically designed with the appropriate hardware and software to perform tasks related to AI and machine learning. These tasks may include number processing and data screening, among others. The primary goal of an AI PC is to provide a professional tool for AI and machine learning tasks.
These tasks encompass a wide range of workloads, from synthetic AI programs like “steady diffusion” and intelligent chatbots to extensive data analysis, AI model training, running complex simulations, and developing complex AI-driven applications.
To provide multitasking capabilities, a combination of CPU and GPU is necessary, along with sufficient RAM and fast storage options. However, a new feature called NPU is crucial for PC AI to accelerate AI tasks, making them faster, and more energy-efficient, and eliminating the need for cloud-based AI servers for processing incoming data. This ensures that systems can operate independently of an internet connection and enhances security by retaining data locally.
What is NPU?
An NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is a type of processor that is designed to handle the demanding workloads of AI tasks. Typically, these tasks are assigned to GPUs, but GPUs can consume a lot of power, which is not ideal for laptops that need to conserve battery power and inefficient for desktops. An NPU is a specialized processor that can handle these AI tasks more efficiently, making it a better option for devices that need to conserve power.
The NPU and GPU work in partnership to reduce processing times while limiting power usage.
Next-generation NPUs can accelerate AI tasks, allowing GPUs to focus on their strengths.
NPU development company
Intel and AMD, two big players in the tech industry, are venturing into the AI PC market. They have introduced product lines such as Core Ultra and Ryzen 8000G, which include an NPU to handle certain AI workloads. This has resulted in improved productivity, efficiency, and collaboration for users.
In 2017, Apple introduced the A11 Bionic chip, which was the first chip to have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). In 2020, Apple continued with the M series, which also had its own NPU. Some Snapdragon chips also include NPUs, although Intel and AMD are not currently leading in this area. However, they are likely to bring changes in the future.
PC AI and Windows 12
PC manufacturers are optimistic that Windows 12 will incorporate more AI features, which could significantly enhance the performance of PCs. If this is true, Microsoft will utilize AI technology to power Windows 12, and this will enable them to expand the capabilities of Copilot and improve interoperability between Windows and macOS.
Big-name manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, and HP are all launching AI PC systems powered by NPU-integrated processors from Intel and AMD. However, the question is whether to buy them or not.
While the full potential of PC AI may not be completely clear until the launch of Windows 12, investing in an AI-powered PC can be a smart decision. Apart from future-proofing your investment, an AI PC offers numerous benefits such as blurring the background of video calls and quickly summarizing lengthy documents.