AI PC
A new class of computers are emerging, laptops (and someday desktops) running processors with integrated NPUs -- neural processing chips tuned for AI workloads. These PCs lean on new features in Windows 11 to unlock AI's real power. Or will, that is: We're only just at the dawn of the AI PC.
AMD was first to market with the Ryzen 7040, the first CPU to feature an NPU. Hawk Point, officially the 8040, is the company's current offering. Intel's flagship is called Meteor Lake, announced in Dec. 2023 -- but look for the next-gen Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake in 2024. And soon Qualcomm will power AI PCs thanks to its ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips, which will launch in laptops in mid-2024 -- at Computex, perhaps?
The Heart of the AI PC
Chips from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm will power this next generation of AI PCs. Here's a deep dive into these cutting edge CPUs.
Intel
Meteor Lake: Intel's newest offer 3D packaging, Intel's largest architectural shift in 40 years, and a slew of TSMC chiplets on the N5 and N6 processes.
Qualcomm
Snapdragon X Series: Qualcomm's hotly anticipated Arm based chips will launch in laptops in mid-2024 and promise blistering AI speed.
AMD
Hawk Point: The first Ryzen 8000 chips feature the same 5nm Zen 4 cores, RDNA 3 graphics, and XDNA AI engine as the existing 7040 “Phoenix” processors.
Latest about AI PC
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus: Specs, release date, benchmarks, and more
By Andrew E. Freedman published
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors are coming in mid-2024 to try to rejuvenate Windows 11 on Arm.
Global PC shipments grew 3% in Q1 2024 says Counterpoint
By Roshan Ashraf Shaikh published
Figures are positive but less ebullient than those from IDC.
Intel says Lunar Lake will have 100+ TOPS of AI performance — meeting requirement for next-gen AI PCs
By Paul Alcorn published
At Vision 2024, Intel announced that its Lunar Lake processor, the company's next-gen laptop chip, provides 100+ TOPS of performance in AI workloads, with 45 of those TOPS coming from the NPU alone.
Intel confirms Microsoft's Copilot AI will soon run locally on PCs, next-gen AI PCs require 40 TOPS of NPU performance
By Paul Alcorn published
Intel executives confirmed today that Microsoft's Copilot AI service will soon run locally on PCs and have a requirement for a minimum of 40 TOPS of NPU performance.
Intel shares Microsoft's new AI PC definition, has Core Ultra Meteor Lake NUC developer kits
By Paul Alcorn published
Intel announced it is launching new Meteor Lake developer kits and expanding its AI PC Acceleration Program with new options for ISVs and IHVs.
Microsoft's newly-unified Windows and Surface Team gets a new head
By Christopher Harper published
Microsoft's newly-unified Windows and Surface Team will be headed up by Pavan Davuluri, previously the Corporate VP of Microsoft.
A new generation of Ryzen processors codenamed 'Strix Point' will be released in 2024
By Mark Tyson published
At an event in China earlier today AMD shared its AI PC ecosystem plans confirming 'Strix Point' chips will combine the charms of Zen 5, RDNA 3+, and XDNA 2 processing.
Samsung Galaxy Book 4 laptop will be available next week
By Mark Tyson published
Samsung's Galaxy Book 4 Ultra, Book 4 Pro, and Book 4 Pro 360 AI PCs will be available from Monday.
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