What Is an AI PC? NPUs, TOPS and Copilot+ PCs Explained
Every new laptop seems to be an "AI PC" now. Here's what the label really means, which Windows features need a Copilot+ PC, and whether it should change what you buy.
An AI PC is a computer with a built-in NPU (neural processing unit), a chip block designed to run AI tasks on the device instead of in the cloud. A Copilot+ PC is Microsoft’s stricter version of the idea: a Windows 11 PC with an NPU rated at 40 TOPS or more, at least 16 GB of RAM and a minimum amount of storage, which unlocks a handful of extra Windows features.
Most people don’t need one. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and the Copilot app all run in the cloud and work on any recent computer. Buy a Copilot+ PC if you want features like Recall, Click to Do or live caption translation, or if the price is close to a comparable non-Copilot+ laptop anyway.
What an NPU does
Your computer already has a CPU (the general-purpose processor) and a GPU (graphics). An NPU is a third engine tuned for the kind of math AI models use. It’s not faster than a powerful GPU at everything, but it does AI work using far less power, which matters on a laptop running on battery.
Typical jobs for an NPU include blurring your background on a video call, cleaning up mic noise, generating live captions and searching your files by meaning rather than exact file names. Because the work happens locally, it can run without an internet connection and without sending that data to a server.
What TOPS means (and why it’s only a rough guide)
TOPS stands for trillions of operations per second. It’s the headline number chipmakers use to rate NPUs. Microsoft’s line for Copilot+ PCs is 40 TOPS from the NPU alone; many newer chips advertise more than that.
Treat TOPS like horsepower: useful for a quick comparison, but not the whole story. Real-world performance also depends on memory, software support and whether the app you care about actually uses the NPU. Some brands also quote a “total platform TOPS” figure that adds the CPU and GPU together, which makes numbers look bigger. For Copilot+ features, only the NPU figure counts.
“AI PC” vs “Copilot+ PC”
“AI PC” is a loose marketing term. Intel, AMD and PC makers apply it to almost any recent laptop with an NPU, including ones with NPUs far below 40 TOPS. “Copilot+ PC” is a specific Microsoft badge with published requirements.
| “AI PC” (marketing label) | Copilot+ PC (Microsoft spec) | |
|---|---|---|
| NPU | Any NPU, often 10 to 16 TOPS on older models | 40+ TOPS |
| RAM | Varies (8 GB models exist) | At least 16 GB |
| Storage | Varies | At least 256 GB SSD |
| Copilot+ features (Recall, Click to Do, etc.) | No | Yes |
| Cloud AI apps (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot app) | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft’s support page currently lists qualifying chips from the Snapdragon X series, AMD Ryzen AI 300 and 400 series and Intel Core Ultra 200V and 300V series. Microsoft also notes that a PC with a 40+ TOPS NPU but less than 16 GB of RAM isn’t a Copilot+ PC. Check the current list on Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC hardware requirements page, since it changes as new chips launch.
Which Windows features need a Copilot+ PC
These are the main Windows 11 features Microsoft reserves for Copilot+ PCs. Availability can depend on your region, language, Windows version and chip, and some arrive through gradual rollouts.
- Recall: saves snapshots of your screen so you can later search for “that recipe I saw last Tuesday.” It’s off by default, requires Windows Hello sign-in, stores snapshots locally and can be paused or removed. Controls are under Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
- Click to Do: press
Windows + Q(or hold the Windows key and click) to act on whatever is on screen, such as summarizing text or removing an image’s background. - Improved Windows search: describe a file or setting in plain words (“photos of a beach at sunset”) instead of remembering its name.
- Live Captions with translation: real-time English captions for audio and video in many other languages.
- Cocreator in Paint and extra AI editing in the Photos app.
- Windows Studio Effects: background blur, eye contact correction and voice focus for your webcam. Some basic effects run on lower-TOPS NPUs too.
- Auto Super Resolution: upscales supported games, currently limited to Snapdragon X models and a curated game list.
If those don’t appeal to you, a Copilot+ PC won’t feel very different day to day. If you already have one and would rather keep AI out of the way, see our guide on how to turn off Copilot in Windows 11.
What doesn’t need an AI PC
The AI tools most people actually use are cloud services. The Copilot app, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, AI features in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and most AI photo and video websites run on remote servers. A five-year-old laptop with a modern browser can use them just as well as a brand-new Copilot+ PC.
The trade-off is privacy and connectivity: cloud tools need the internet, and what you type is processed on the provider’s servers. Our guide to AI chatbot privacy settings covers how to limit what they keep.
What about Macs and Chromebooks?
Apple doesn’t use the “AI PC” label, but every Mac with Apple silicon (M1 and later) has a built-in Neural Engine, and those Macs support Apple Intelligence features on supported macOS versions. Google sells Chromebook Plus models with minimum specs for its own built-in AI tools. Neither works with Copilot+ features, which are Windows-only.
Should you buy an AI PC?
Start with the basics, then treat the NPU as a tiebreaker. Our laptop buying guide walks through those basics in detail.
- Pick the right size, screen and battery life for how you work. These affect daily use far more than any AI feature.
- Get at least 16 GB of RAM if you can. It’s a Copilot+ requirement, and it also keeps a Windows laptop feeling quick for years.
- Check app compatibility if you’re looking at a Snapdragon (Arm) model. Most mainstream apps run well, but some older games, anti-cheat systems, printer drivers and niche business tools may not. Search the software maker’s site before buying.
- Compare prices. Many mid-range and premium Windows laptops now qualify as Copilot+ PCs, so you often get the badge without paying extra. Don’t pay a big premium for the label alone.
- Look at the update and support picture: warranty length, repair options and how long the maker supplies drivers.
Buying a Copilot+ PC is reasonable future-proofing if the price is right, since Microsoft keeps adding on-device features. But software trends can shift, and nobody can promise which future features will require an NPU.
Bottom line
An AI PC is simply a computer with an NPU, and a Copilot+ PC is the Windows version with a 40+ TOPS NPU, 16 GB of RAM and exclusive features like Recall and Click to Do. Those extras are nice but optional. Choose a laptop on screen, battery, RAM and price first, and take the Copilot+ badge as a bonus rather than the reason to buy.
FAQ
Can I add an NPU to my existing PC?
No. The NPU is built into the processor, so you’d need a new computer. Your current PC can still use every cloud-based AI service.
Does an AI PC send my data to Microsoft?
On-device features like Recall and Live Captions process data locally. Cloud features such as the Copilot app send what you type to Microsoft’s servers, the same as on any PC.
Is an AI PC better for gaming?
Not really. Gaming performance depends mostly on the GPU. The NPU helps with a few extras like Auto Super Resolution on supported models.
Do I need Windows 11 Pro for Copilot+ features?
No. Copilot+ features are tied to the hardware and work on Windows 11 Home as well as Pro, subject to regional rollout.
