The hype around the AI PC movement is rising, but some experts say the reality of what customers can expect to see is limited by several factors. First, most popular genAI applications are likely to run almost exclusively in large public clouds for the foreseeable future. GenAI designed to run on a new generation of NPU-equipped endpoints is much more likely to be limited in scope, and feature more feature-light versions of popular tools. Another limiting factor is Microsoft, or more specifically, Windows. The company is more focused on providing its own AI features via the cloud, as mentioned, and hasn’t really outlined a cohesive vision for local AI.
Nevertheless, the AI PC concept clearly has believers, and it seems evident that there is a demand for the technology, according to TIRIAS Research principal analyst Jim McGregor. He sees several AI-based improvements coming to desktops and laptops.
“I think the best thing is going to be enhanced capabilities in the productivity apps, and I think we’re going to see digital systems,” he said. “I’d want it scanning my emails and being able to summarize them and tell you what’s important.”
The true holy grail of the technology, McGregor said, is in personalization — making AI use seamless and tailored to individual users, rather than a relatively anonymous interaction with a chatbot.
“The real pot of gold is the application that can really personalize it,” he said. “If AI knows the type of information that you track or the sources you trust, it’s going to be more intelligent around you.”
The new Ryzen chips will cost between $200 and $360 each, depending on their specific capabilities, and will be available via OEMs such as HP and Lenovo within the next couple of months, AMD said.
