AI-Enabled PCs Are Here: What You Need to Know in 2025

February 5, 2025

A new wave of Windows AI-enabled PCs and Copilot+ devices are set to hit the market starting in 2025. These devices are expected to bring along significant advancements in the form of better performance, longer battery life, and AI software integration.

But before you jump in and get one of these devices, it’s important to have an understanding of what makes them so powerful and the potential limitations that currently exist. Let’s start with a discussion of the processing power in these new devices.

Meet the NPU: Neural Processing Unit

Windows Copilot+ PCs and AI-enabled PCs are a new class of device that are powered by a traditional processor paired with turbocharged neural processing unit (NPU). The NPU can perform more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). As such, NPUs are more akin to a traditional graphics card chip. NPUs are designed to enhance productivity and creativity with features like real-time translations, image generation, and more.

The latest generation of popular processors are built with NPU architecture on board. This includes both Intel processors that support Intel AI Boost technology and AMD processors that support Ryzen AI. Systems with built-in NPU processors can perform AI-based tasks offloaded from the main processor core, as those tasks are quite intensive to run.

Examples of some of these functions can be found in Windows Studio Effects for video calls:

Background Blur blurs your background during video calls, keeping the focus on you.
Eye Contact adjusts your gaze to simulate eye contact with the camera during video calls.
Auto Framing keeps you centered in the video call frame even when you move around.
Voice Focus enhances the clarity of your voice by muting background noise during video calls.

To see if your system has a NPU chip, open the Windows Task Manager. Select the Performance tab, and check if NPU is listed among the items shown, such as Memory, CPU, and Disk.

Welcome ARM-Based Windows Computers! … Wait, What’s an ARM?

Making things even more confusing in the marketplace, ARM-based Windows computers are another laptop design that has started to hit store shelves. ARM architecture-based processors are what have been powering mobile phones and tablets for years.

ARM stands for “Advanced RISC Machine”, where RISC means Reduced Instruction Set Computer. These operate and run code in a fundamentally different way than their traditional x86 based PCs. With fewer instructions to process, the faster things go. As such, ARM-based computers have a reputation for their power efficiency and extended battery life. For those who prioritize portability and long battery life in a laptop, the ARM-based Windows computers are ideal.

ARM-based Windows devices have primarily arrived from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series of PC chips.

Software Considerations for ARM-Based Devices

Users may encounter some compatibility problems on Windows software on ARM AI PCs. For instance, while ARM apps run natively without any emulation on ARM devices, apps built for x86 and x64 processors will only run under emulation on ARM devices. In other words, another program or device would be required to properly run that x86 or x64-based app.

Emulations can result in suboptimal performance and compatibility issues. Users may also be totally unable to run key programs required for their work. Additionally, many printer and peripheral drivers are designed for the x86 architecture, leading to compatibility issues with ARM devices.

The choice between ARM and x86 laptops ultimately depends on the user’s specific needs and preferences. Given their yet-to-be-established track record with compatibility and long-term software support for business-critical applications, we currently recommend that businesses NOT yet making the jump into an ARM-based system. Instead, stick with Windows 11 designed options, such as the AI-enabled PC lineups from Intel or AMD.

Windows AI-enabled PCs and Copilot+ Devices: Looking to the Future

To sum things up, AI is finding more ways to show up in the technology landscape, particularly for business laptops. As the change approaches, priority number #1 should be to ensure that you and your business have robust systems running Windows 11 Professional.

Until key business applications become compatible, it’s wise to hold off the purchase of ARM or Qualcomm units. It is likely that any new system you purchase—even ones from the last year—can perform AI functions on the device, so fear not!

If you have questions about what hardware is right for your team, please reach out to your Client Experience Manager. If you’re not currently working with Kite Technology Group for your technology needs, feel free to explore out IT Services page or reach out to us to start a conversation about your business and IT goals.