What Is an AI PC – And Do I Need One?

Feb 05, 2024

Early in 2024, ASUS announced a rich lineup of AI laptops, answering the growing demand for devices that allow users to take advantage of this significant new technology. What makes a laptop AI PC? Do you really need AI-powered features? Read on to find out!

Today, most apps powered by artificial intelligence are either web-based or require an internet connection. To use AI until now, you'd virtually "plug in" online into a server on which that AI lives and use the server's extremely powerful processing capabilities. In sight of trends, further AI capabilities will become available offline in the near future. To take advantage of that, you’ll need a laptop that is ready to process complex AI-powered tasks. Here are a couple of characteristics of laptops that have been designed to handle AI.

Neural Processing Unit (NPU)

The first thing that you will need to look at to determine if you're considering an AI laptop is whether it comes with a CPU that features a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) — a dedicated AI engine embedded in the processor that is specifically designed to handle AI tasks. Intel® and AMD both now offer CPUs featuring integrated NPUs. NPU cores that power the AI on your laptop also help extend battery life.

Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 is the most powerful CPU in the new Intel lineup of AI laptop processors. Several of the newest Intel® Core™ Ultra laptop CPUs also feature built-in Intel® Arc™ graphics. Various ASUS laptops presented during CES 2024 highlighted the new Intel AI processors, including the innovative dual-screen ASUS Zenbook DUO.

The new AI-enabled AMD Ryzen™ 8040 Series laptop processors feature an integrated NPU as well as integrated AMD Radeon™ graphics. These processors are equipped with AMD Ryzen™ AI, which the chipmaker defines as “the combination of a dedicated AI engine, AMD Radeon graphics engine, and Ryzen processor cores that enable AI capabilities.” ASUS laptops such as the new ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED features an AMD Ryzen™ 7 8840HS CPU.

Discrete Graphics Card With Tensor Cores

Content creators and other professionals who work with heavy AI-based applications, such as AI developers and Machine Learning professionals, will appreciate laptops with latest-gen dedicated (aka, discrete) GPUs that are rich in AI-dedicated cores. NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ is an example of a dedicated GPU series that features specialized AI Tensor Cores. During CES 2024, ASUS announced a new AI creator laptop — the ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED — that features up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 Laptop GPU with 4th generation Tensor Cores. It’s a powerful option that boosts creativity with blistering-speed AI processing.

Other Capabilities

A couple of other specifications to pay attention to are memory and storage. Memory ― aka, RAM ― enables multiple processes to run faster. If you work on heavier tasks that involve AI-powered apps, 32 GB is recommended. For storage, 1 TB is the recommended minimum. For fast data transfers, opt for an M.2 NVMe® performance SSD.

It’s also good if the laptop has a full lineup of I/O ports. A Thunderbolt™ 4 port can be especially useful ― for instance, to connect external storage disks (if you run out of space on the built-in drive). A fast RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port is also a plus. Wired connectivity is the most reliable, stable method of internet connection. If you want to process Cloud-based AI tasks fast then you’ll want the best connection speed and stability.

The new 2024 ASUS laptops come with a wide array of AI-powered features that are extremely useful to casual as well as demanding users. For instance, the new ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED and other 2024 ASUS laptops come with a dedicated Microsoft Copilot* button that enables you to launch the AI assistant feature with one click. Users of the new ASUS laptops can also count on Microsoft Designer to help with making graphs, illustrations or slide decks, which helps users save precious time.

Many new ASUS laptops offer proprietary AI-powered tools such as ASUS AiSense Camera, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation, Smart Sound Amplifier and Audio Booster, and many more. Read about AI-powered and smart features of ASUS laptops in this article.

AI-powered features offer massive advantages for demanding laptop. With the help of AI tools, you can edit and enrich content much faster. As more offline AI tools become available, a new ASUS laptop with an integrated NPU will ensure that you’re ready to take advantage of them.

AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot can help elevate efficiency as well. They can help summarize notes, transcribe calls, quicky find answers to questions and more, boosting productivity. To enable users to do more with sufficient screen space, we combined the dual-screen form factor of Zenbook DUO with Copilot. For once, you can task Copilot with making a transcript and summary of the meeting contents while Designer puts together a slide deck covering the discussion topics as you’re having them or make quick edits to your content during the feedback meeting with your clients or coworkers right away - all with the help of AI.

Today, ASUS users can choose from a wide range of 2024 ASUS Vivobook and Zenbook laptops that come ready for the AI-powered future. Make sure to check out the 2024 ASUS laptop lineup and find your AI laptop today!

*Copilot in Windows (in preview) is rolling out gradually within the latest update to Windows 11 in select global markets. Timing of availability varies by device and market. Learn more