Intel and AMD PCs are finally getting Copilot+ features, including Recall
AI image generation comes to Paint and Photos
Intel NPUs to get monthly software updates, latest adds Arrow Lake S support
Your modern CPU might require another driver to keep current
Bottom line: Whether you actually need an NPU is a debate for another day. But if you splurged on an AI PC, the reality is that your device now features an extra piece of silicon you need to keep up to date, which means regular driver updates just like your CPU and GPU.
BrainChip unveils microscopic NPU that consumes less than 1 milliwatt of power
Designed for wearables, smart home, and IoT applications
People are buying AI PCs, but not for their AI abilities
Not that surprising
In brief: Makers of AI PCs and processors will be happy with the news that people are buying these products, which feature NPUs designed to accelerate AI tasks. The less welcome caveat is that according to a new report, many people are purchasing them simply because they want or need a new PC – not because of the AI features.
Google's Reimagine AI tool works well, perhaps too well, so it can be easily abused
Looks like the safeguards aren't safe enough just yet
Particle's Tachyon single-board computer brings 5G, 12 TOPS NPU in a Snapdragon-powered package
It's currently raising funds via Kickstarter
In brief: IoT startup Particle looks geared to shake up the single-board computer market with their latest creation – the Tachyon. This credit card-sized Linux computer packs the kind of serious hardware normally found in mid-range smartphones. You get an 8-core Qualcomm chip, 5G cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and dedicated AI acceleration.
Opinion: The rapidly evolving world of AI PCs
We're already seeing some interesting shifts and redefined comparisons in the Copilot+ PC era
Something to look forward to: Even though it's only been two months since they were first announced and just a month since they've shipped, Copilot+ PCs are already having a noticeable impact on the PC market. Major OEMs like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft's Surface group have released slick new NPU-accelerated "AI PCs." Other vendors such as Samsung, Acer, and Asus have also joined with impressive new devices.
AI PCs might take off slowly, but battery life benefits is set to become Snapdragon X's real selling point
Adobe and other developers reportedly resisted requests to optimize AI applications for NPUs
Intel Arrow Lake-S PCs may not get Microsoft's Copilot+ certification
Arrow Lake chips will arrive in time for the holidays
NPU vs. GPU: What's the Difference?
Use cases, architecture, and key features for specific computing tasks
PowerColor claims they can improve GPU performance by leveraging an external NPU
No details about how the technology really works
GPD shows off new foldable dual-screen OLED laptop
Pricing, date, and internal hardware details remain unclear
Framework Laptop 13 gets a new Core Ultra model with a 120Hz VRR display and improved webcam, current users can also upgrade
Earlier models and components receive price cuts, too
Windows 11's Recall feature can be enabled on PCs without an NPU
But the question is, do you really want to?
AMD: Increasing compute efficiency by 30x is nice, but what about 100x?
CEO Lisa Su says the company is on course to dramatically improve data center compute efficiency
Apple M4 arrives less than a year after M3 as the AI PC battle looms
Something to look forward to: With its newly announced iPads, Apple is fast-tracking the introduction of its M4 processors to compete in the upcoming AI PC race. Although the Cupertino giant claims it has the most powerful NPU on the market, Qualcomm might disagree. Meanwhile, Intel is preparing significant AI performance upgrades over the next year, and Nvidia claims that its GPUs reign supreme in generative AI.
Nvidia thinks its GPUs are better for onboard AI than NPUs
Company claims RTX GPUs perform AI tasks multiple times faster than NPUs
Apple said to be working on custom AI server chip based on TSMC's 3nm process
Cupertino isn't interested in efficiently running chatbots and LLMs on local devices alone
Apple will favor on-device AI over cloud processing, more evidence suggests
iPhone 16 and M4 Macs could feature huge NPU upgrades later this year
AMD next-gen APUs reportedly sacrifice a larger cache for AI chips
Will NPUs be a waste of die space?
Why it matters: As chipmakers embark on a widespread transition to locally processed generative AI, certain users are still questioning the need of this technology. NPUs have emerged as a new buzzword as hardware vendors aim to introduce the concept of the "AI PC," yet their arrival prompts speculation about whether the valuable die space they occupy could have been allocated to more beneficial purposes.
Microsoft and Intel nail down what an "AI PC" is
AI PCs should include an NPU, Copilot, and the Copilot key
Why it matters: Microsoft and multiple chipmakers have spent months heralding the arrival of the "AI PC," which utilizes generative AI and large language models to facilitate various tasks in new ways. However, the definition of an AI PC remains somewhat unclear. At a recent event in Taipei, Intel began defining the specifics that it agreed upon with Microsoft.
Intel Core Ultra NPUs receive a boost from Windows 11 DirectML preview
Microsoft's Machine Learning framework only supports Intel NPUs for now
Dell shows off how Windows Copilot can navigate settings for you, if Microsoft decides to go that way
Users could find and change settings without ever learning where to find them
Intel launches Core Ultra mobile CPUs with dedicated AI hardware
Meteor Lake is here
Windows 12 leaks point to useful AI features, more powerful Copilot that leverages NPUs
So, Microsoft's next major OS may or may not be called Windows 12