Should You Purchase an AI PC in 2024? What Is an AI PC?

A number of new AI PCs are presently being released in 2024. Prominent companies like Samsung, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others are vying for market share by marketing their latest products under the term "AI PC." Then what makes these new AI PCs unique? What characteristics and benefits do AI computers have over non-AI PCs?

We are here to provide answers to all of these queries and to contrast the latest generation of AI-enhanced PCs with previous generations, focusing on factors like efficiency and performance. After that, we attempt to determine whether purchasing a new AI PC this year is worthwhile.

AI Desktops with AMD & Intel Processors Coming in 2024

The newest Ryzen 8000/7000 CPUs from AMD or the Core Ultra processors from Intel power the AI PCs of 2024. The AI age of computing has here, mostly because to this latest generation processors . Both AMD and Intel have added a number of AI-focused capabilities to their latest laptops with the launching of these new CPUs.

new msi prestige laptops with intel core ultra — Photo Credit: MSI

What Is an AI PC and Should You Buy It in 2024? — Photo Credit: MSI

]Many CPUs with AI capabilities for desktop computers have not yet been released. However, AMD has already introduced the world's first AI desktop CPU, the Ryzen 8000G series. Additionally, we anticipate Intel delivering a new Lunar Lake architecture this year. Expect a new series of desktop CPUs on a new motherboard platform.Generally, the PC sector is now undergoing a continuous change. It's hoped that customers like me and you would find the new AI PCs of 2024 intriguing.

What Functions Do AI Computers Offer?

The "AI-enhanced" PCs of 2024 include a lot of new features. Since AI PCs are still in their early stages of development, many of these new benefits may seem really basic. The new laptops of 2024 are being heavily pushed toward artificial intelligence (AI) by both AMD and Intel.

Central Nervous System (NPU)

In 2024, the most distinctive characteristic of future AI PCs will be the inclusion of an onboard AI speed booster on these recently released AMD and Intel CPUs. It is known as the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and is simply this new part of the processor's circuitry.The purpose of the NPU is to accelerate AI at a high degree of efficiency that is not possible for the CPU or GPU, allowing those resources to be freed up to perform tasks centered on heavy computing.

Intel NPU on AI PC — Picture Source: Intel

AMD NPU found in new AI PC — Picture Source: Intel

etc.AI PCs' Collaboration Features

The new AI functions are intended to make the job of developers, creative professionals, and even regular users considerably more efficient. There are claims that cooperation is now more effective. You may get AI auto-framing, AI background blur, and even AI eyesight correction when you use communication applications like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. It gives the impression that you are staring at the individual directly. These are a common collection of characteristics included in a majority of modern AI PCs.In the past, non-AI PCs without an NPU (using chips like Intel 13th Gen) also had AI-enhanced video conferencing capabilities, similar to the ones we previously discussed. AI improvements during video conferencing were among the features of the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 with an Intel Core i7-1370P CPU that Adibri tested out. This laptop has the same features—background blur, auto-framing, and noise cancellation—that are being aggressively pushed into the market for "AI PCs."So, given that earlier PCs had AI characteristics similar to these, how can future AI PCs from 2024 improve things? Since the Core i7-1370P from the previous generation did not have the NPU, the example above is really operating on the CPU. The neural processing unit is exclusive to a number of recently released CPUs from AMD and Intel. Many laptops from the previous generation also had these AI functions as part of a unique app. This was referred to as "Studio Mode" on Samsung. Occasionally, the software control panel had AI elements.And the NPU can currently handle a lot of AI-related workloads with 2024 AI PCs. I often saw the alert for increased power usage on these older laptops with AI functions switched on, such as noise suppression or video call upgrades. However, since this is also the desired architectural design, an NPU that is tailored to handle AI compute workloads like this has a relatively low power consumption.These AI enhancements were examined and found to be facilitated via the NPU, rather than using other critical system resources, in the newer 2024 AI-enabled PCs that we have tested at Adibri. The NPU will be visible in Task Manager on AI PCs manufactured after 2024, and its utilization will increase while it is in use.As you can see below, instead of being an add-on from the manufacturer, the AI effects are now included into the Camera app in Windows 11 (as part of Windows Studio Effects). When all AI features were turned on, the NPU was shown to be employed between 25 and 35 percent of the time.The NPU is handling the AI workloads on a new 2024 AI PC.Here are a few additional characteristics that both AI and non-AI PCs share before we go any farther. OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Adobe Generative AI, and a number of other widely used artificial intelligence inventions are essentially accessible to almost everybody. Additionally, Nvidia just released its Chat with RTX. An RTX graphics card may be used to power this AI chatbot directly (offline).As a result, almost any PC with an Nvidia RTX GPU that is compatible might be referred to as a "AI-enabled" personal computer. Even if the NPU is absent on earlier PCs, this is true—at least in part. Let's talk about some additional AI PC features now, and we'll wrap off by asking if purchasing an AI PC in 2024 will be worthwhile.

How 2024 AI PCs Can Help AI Assistants Improve

AI assistants may be utilized with the on-board NPUs from AMD and Intel, however they are designed for smaller machines. Take a look at Tony Mongkolsmai's (Software Architect at Intel) demonstration of TinyLlama and Google's Gemma-2b AI models operating directly on the NPU. Huggingface provides similar advice here on how to configure the AMD Ryzen AI environment for running LLMs on the NPU of Ryzen 7000/8000 series CPUs.Subsequently, Intel showcased many upcoming AI helpers designed to improve user productivity. Rewind.ai is a forthcoming invention that aims to use the latest Intel Core Ultra CPUs and the NPU. It is anticipated to be launched later this year for Windows. In the future, I also anticipate seeing additional AI helpers that are able to directly use the NPU.Intel has called Rewind's AI helper a very helpful tool to help you with your regular tasks. After it's configured, the Rewind AI tracks everything you do. After that, it may function as a memory, allowing you to ask your AI assistant questions in case you forget anything.Additionally, it takes care of note-taking for the user while they are in meetings automatically. It may even be used to write email drafts automatically. All in all, this is quite amazing, and I can't wait to utilize the next AI PC-only capabilities! While ChatGPT and other similar products are excellent, Rewind's AI helper offers more appropriate capabilities that increase efficiency. Although they are a little more intimate since they are watching everything you do , new AI assistants are more helpful overall.However, it is not certain that Rewind's AI assistant will be made available for future AI PCs exclusively. It could operate on non-AI PCs, but it could also need more power. For macOS, the helper is already available. When activated, it requires a minimal amount of CPU power to operate. However, I do anticipate that future AI PCs, which are specifically created for this AI-enhanced computing age, will perform better in the end than non-AI PCs with outdated CPUs.

Expert Content Development and Artificial Intelligence

Intel claims that the new AI PCs equipped with Intel Core Ultra outperform previous models when it comes to AI application performance benchmarks. Here, a variety of topics were examined, such as generative AI, AI-assisted content production, and AI audio generating using Audacity. See how the newest AI PCs with CPUs compare to the previous generation:

intel meteor lake ai application benchmarks — Picture Source: Intel

As shown above, a number of video production programs, including WonderShare Filmora, Adobe Premier Pro, Davinci Resolve, and Adobe Lightroom, may operate more efficiently on an AI PC equipped with a Core Ultra CPU while using the most recent AI-enhanced functionalities.This increase is also largely attributable to the GPU.. In addition to the NPU, your computer's graphics card is a frequently utilized system component to speed AI. However, there are AI workloads where the GPU, CPU, and NPU collaborate.

AI-Enhanced Audio EditingWith Audacity's most recent inclusion of OpenVINO plugins, Intel has shown that many incredible things are feasible for AI-enhanced audio editing. The demo that is shown below demonstrates how a musician may use the newest AI PC to efficiently compose text to music.

OpenVINO Music Separation may also be used to separate components of a single audio layer. As an example, removing the drum beats from a specific audio clip. Seeing unique capabilities on AI PCs in 2024 that will directly help audio engineers and musicians in their job is very amazing!

In 2024, Should You Invest in AI PCs? Perhaps!

In general, AI will be a key area of concentration for the sector going ahead. Assume you are eager to use anything AI-related. Perhaps the previously mentioned, recently launched AI functions will be useful for your work. Getting a new AI PC might be helpful for you, provided that those prerequisites are satisfied!Individuals employed in industries such as music, development, content production, etc. will undoubtedly benefit from a number of new capabilities on the new AI PCs of 2024. As a result, you should be able to uncover enough significant benefits from the new 2024 AI PCs. When compared to PCs from previous generations, AI PCs may provide some advantageous advantages. It remains true that some people won't find such functions helpful for their PC-related tasks.But what about other people? Assume for the moment that you are an average customer who is not particularly in need of AI features. I predict that many people will discover that AI PCs that are introduced in 2024 aren't really that helpful. If you do not own the newest "AI PC," you may still take use of a number of AI functions. It is only a marketing word used to distinguish between new and old PCs. Thus, do not feel compelled to get an AI PC right away. immediately There are still a lot of applications to be developed, and as computing advances, the "AI PC" age will bring about significant innovation. In addition, there's another important factor, which is the reason I myself won't be purchasing an AI computer.

Why I'm Not Buying an AI Computer Right Now

Quite frankly, we haven't seen any significant performance improvements from the next generation of CPUs either. For me and many others, this is the most exciting part of a new generation of processors. However, rather than significantly pushing the performance ceiling, the emphasis this time was on AI and increased power efficiency.Having said that, there have already been hints of new chips like Intel Lunar Lake & Arrow Lake. Under wraps, AMD is also working on several fascinating projects, such the Zen 5 CPU architecture. I anticipate significant performance increases overall. Future generations will bring even more AI-centric improvements. By then, a "AI PC's" feature set will have undergone significant evolution. Because of this, buying an AI PC will be more advantageous in the future than it is now.Additionally, purchasing a new AI PC with improved CPUs in the road will get you access to more than just an NPU and premium "AI features." At last, it will also significantly improve performance in comparison to your existing system and older possibilities. That was my opinion on the subject of buying an AI computer in 2024. Upgrading to the newest computer age excites me, but only if my performance requirements are also satisfied.The AI PC environment is currently developing slowly, while being interesting. Thus, there's no need to hurry into purchasing an AI computer. If you are unable to use modern technology for your job, then this is indeed the case.