Your AI PC buying guide
What is an AI PC?
An AI PC has a dedicated AI processor built in, so you can run intelligent features efficiently alongside everything else you do.
- All-day battery life1
AI tasks run on a dedicated processor instead of draining your main battery, so you stay powered longer.
- AI that works offline
No Wi-Fi? Some AI features still work right on your device.2
- Built with privacy in mind
Features like Recall and Live Captions process data on your PC, so it stays with you.
- Get answers, fast
Translate, summarize, and create images right on your device.
Copilot+ PC: Your new superpower
Click to Do
- Powered by the NPU
On-device AI identifies text and images on your screen, then suggests actions to help you search, summarize, rewrite, or edit content while keeping your PC responsive.
- Works offline and online²
Screen analysis and select actions run locally. Actions like web search or Ask Copilot require internet, and content is sent only when you choose an online action.
Improved Windows search
- Powered by the NPU
Semantic indexing uses on-device AI to understand meaning, helping you find documents and images by describing what you remember instead of the exact filename.
- Works offline and online²
Search indexed files stored on your PC without internet. An internet connection may be needed to find cloud files stored in OneDrive.
Live captions
- Powered by the NPU
Speech processing runs on the NPU so your PC stays responsive. Live captions make spoken content easier to follow across your apps and meetings.
- Works offline²
Captions run on your device and work even without an internet connection.³ Audio is processed on your PC to help protect your privacy while delivering real-time captions.
Windows Studio Effects
- Powered by the NPU
Video and audio enhancements run on the NPU, freeing the rest of your PC for everything else.² Supported across AI PCs, bringing smarter camera and audio features to everyday apps.
- Works offline²
Select effects work on-device, even without an internet connection.² Processed on your PC to help protect your privacy across calls and meetings.
Microsoft Copilot
- Runs in the cloud
Uses cloud-based AI to answer questions and generate content. Requires an internet connection.
- Online only
Because it runs in the cloud, Microsoft Copilot works when you’re connected to the internet. Your requests are handled securely with up to date AI models.
How AI PCs are built
The CPU
The GPU
The NPU
What is TOPS?
Arm vs. x86: What's the difference?
Compare Arm and x86 processors to find what fits your workflow.
Arm—Snapdragon® X Series
- Longer unplugged use
- Quiet, fanless performance
- Some older apps may need compatibility checks
x86 architecture
- Supports legacy apps
- Works with more peripherals
- Familiar software installs
Intel Core Ultra
Broad app and peripheral compatibility for everyday work.
AMD Ryzen AI
Optimized for creative workloads.
Meet the latest Surface PCs
Bundle and save on Surface
AI PC specs: Good, better, best
NPU (TOPS)
The NPU handles AI tasks so your CPU and GPU stay free, helping your battery last longer.¹
- 10-20 TOPS is good
Supports essential AI features like voice commands, background effects, and on-device search.
- 40-45 TOPS is better
Smooth, responsive AI performance. Handles multiple AI tasks at once.
- 45+ TOPS is best
Supports advanced, real-time AI for creation, automation, and on-device processing.
RAM
More RAM means smoother multitasking and fewer slowdowns when running multiple apps or AI features.
- 16GB is good
Covers the basics: browsing, email, streaming, and light multitasking.
- 24-32GB is better
Apps stay responsive while AI-powered tools run in the background to keep multitasking smooth.
- 64GB is best
Handles advanced AI experiences, creative projects, and heavy multitasking with ease.
Storage
Faster storage means quicker boot times, snappier app launches, and smooth access to large AI models, photos, videos, and documents.
- 256GB SSD is good
Offers fast startup and quick access to everyday apps and files. Ideal for online use and lighter workloads. - 512GB SSD is better
Comfortably handles large apps, photos, videos, and AI features while keeping everything fast. - 1TB+ SSD is best
Plenty of space and top tier speed, supports large creative projects and local AI models.
AI PCs for your organization
Deploying AI PCs at scale? Here’s why IT teams are making the move
Security first
Scalable
Field ready
Find the Windows PC that’s right for you
Looking for something else?
Frequently asked questions
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An AI PC is a computer designed to run AI-powered features with dedicated hardware such as a neural processing unit (NPU), alongside its CPU and GPU. This enables efficient on-device AI for tasks such as productivity, creativity, communication, and intelligent search, depending on the device and available apps.
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An AI PC adds dedicated AI processing, typically through an NPU, to the CPU and GPU found in a traditional PC. The NPU can handle supported AI tasks efficiently on the device, helping improve responsiveness and power use while freeing the CPU and GPU for other work. Features vary by hardware, software, and region.
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A neural processing unit, or NPU, is a processor designed for AI-intensive tasks such as image processing, language features, and background effects. By running supported workloads efficiently on the device, an NPU can improve responsiveness, reduce reliance on the CPU and GPU, and help preserve battery life.
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TOPS means trillions of operations per second and is one measure of an NPU's AI processing capability. Higher TOPS can support more demanding on-device AI workloads, but TOPS should not be considered alone. For Copilot+ PC experiences, choose a compatible Windows 11 PC with an NPU capable of 40+ TOPS.
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A Copilot+ PC is a class of Windows 11 PC built for advanced on-device AI experiences. It includes a high-performance NPU capable of 40+ TOPS, along with compatible memory, storage, and security requirements. Supported experiences can include Recall, Click to Do, Live Captions, Cocreator, and Windows Studio Effects.
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An AI PC may be a good fit if you use AI-assisted productivity, creative, communication, or accessibility features and want supported experiences to run efficiently on the device. For basic browsing, streaming, email, and documents, a traditional PC may still meet your needs. Choose based on your apps, workload, mobility, and budget.
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An AI PC can be worth considering if on-device AI, long battery life, responsive multitasking, or access to newer AI experiences matters to you. The value depends on the features and apps you plan to use, so compare the NPU, processor, memory, storage, battery life, and software compatibility before choosing a device.
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An AI PC can support tasks such as real-time captions, video-call enhancements, intelligent search, image creation and editing, writing assistance, and other AI-accelerated app experiences. Available capabilities depend on the PC's hardware, Windows version, apps, region, and whether a feature runs on the device or uses the cloud.
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Choose an AI PC by matching its hardware to your main tasks. Prioritize portability and battery life for school or travel, more memory and graphics performance for creative or technical work, and security and manageability for business use. Also compare NPU performance, app compatibility, display, storage, ports, and price.
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Cloud AI processes requests on remote servers and generally requires an internet connection, while on-device AI runs supported workloads locally using hardware such as an NPU. On-device processing can improve responsiveness, offline availability, and data control. Many AI experiences use a combination of local and cloud processing.
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Surface offers Windows 11 AI PCs across Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. Copilot+ PC configurations include a 40+ TOPS NPU and are available with processors such as Qualcomm Snapdragon® X Series or Intel Core Ultra, depending on the model. Compare Surface models to find the right size and performance level.
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Windows 11 includes AI-powered tools for productivity, creativity, communication, and accessibility. Depending on the device and region, features may include Copilot, improved Windows search, Live Captions, Cocreator, Windows Studio Effects, Click to Do, and Recall. Some experiences require compatible Copilot+ PC hardware.
- [1] Battery life varies significantly based on device, settings, usage, and other factors. See claims and disclosures for details. For testing methodology, see Windows Performance Lab.
- [2] Some AI features require an internet connection. Copilot+ PC experiences vary by device and region and may require updates continuing to roll out; timing varies. See copilot plus pcs.
- [3] Translation for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages and from 27 languages into Chinese (Simplified). Live Captions processes audio on your device.
- [4] Recall (preview) is optimized for select languages: English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. Content-based and storage limitations apply. Recall requires a Copilot+ PC. See copilot plus pcs.
- [5] Cocreator in Paint is optimised for English text prompts and requires a Microsoft account and internet connection to access cloud services that help ensure the responsible use of AI. Available on Copilot+ PCs.
- [6] Based on local video playback test. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, ambient lighting, and other factors. See Surface battery testing and estimated performance - Microsoft Support.