What is an AI PC – and what makes it an AI PC?
The core of an AI PC is the NPU.
A Neural Processing Unit is a specialized processor designed to handle AI calculations efficiently and energy-efficiently. It is optimized to perform the mathematical operations behind machine learning, image recognition, voice processing, and generative models.
A traditional CPU can also perform AI tasks, but it is designed for general calculations. A GPU can handle parallel tasks and is often used for AI in larger systems. An NPU, on the other hand, is targeted at AI workloads and can perform these tasks much more efficiently – both in speed and power consumption.
This means that AI features can run continuously in the background without affecting battery life or overall system performance to the same extent as on older systems.
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TOPS – the measurement of AI capacity
AI performance in a PC is measured in TOPS, which stands for “Trillions of Operations Per Second”. This number indicates how many trillions of calculations the NPU can perform per second.
TOPS has become a central metric for assessing whether a computer can genuinely be called an AI PC. The higher the TOPS, the more advanced AI models the system can handle locally.
It is no longer just the processor's clock frequency or number of cores that defines a modern PC – AI computational capacity has become an independent and significant factor.
Local AI execution as a defining characteristic
One of the most important differences between a traditional PC and an AI PC is the ability to run AI models locally on the machine.
Local AI execution means that certain types of artificial intelligence can be processed directly on the device without sending data to external servers. This reduces latency, improves response time, and can increase data security, as sensitive information does not necessarily leave the device.
This capability directly depends on the PC having a dedicated NPU with sufficient TOPS capacity.
Copilot+ PC – a formal standard
To create clarity in the market, Microsoft has introduced the designation Copilot+ PC. It is an official classification of Windows PCs that meet specific hardware requirements for AI computing.
To achieve this designation, a PC must have at least:
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An NPU with at least 40 TOPS
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16 GB RAM
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256 GB SSD
This standard establishes a technical baseline for when a PC can be considered fully AI-optimized for modern Windows features.
The interaction between CPU, GPU, and NPU
Although the NPU is the central component, an AI PC functions as a unified system. The CPU, GPU, and NPU work together, with each processor handling the tasks it is best suited for.
The CPU handles general calculations and system operations. The GPU handles graphics and heavy parallel tasks. The NPU takes over AI calculations, thereby relieving the other processors. This division of labor makes the system more efficient and future-proof regarding AI-based applications.
What separates an AI PC from a traditional PC?
A traditional PC can use AI-based software, but it is not optimized to execute AI workloads locally. It lacks a dedicated AI accelerator.
An AI PC, on the other hand, is built with AI as an integrated part of the hardware architecture. This means:
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Dedicated NPU
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Measurable AI performance in TOPS
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Support for local AI computation
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Hardware requirements that match modern AI-based operating system features
It is this combination that makes the difference.

