Microsoft releases its first AI PC
As tech giants are making their moves, the capacity of AI PCs is expected to increase rapidly.
Microsoft has announced the launch of its first AI-powered computers specifically designed for business users: the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Both will begin shipping to business customers on April 9th, starting at $1,199 (approximately 8,632 RMB). However, they will not be sold directly to consumers.
With the debut of the first AI PCs, it is anticipated that Microsoft will introduce many new artificial intelligence features to the Windows system later this year, and these two new devices will be ready for them.
Microsoft's First AI PC Makes Its Debut
In terms of appearance, these two products have not seen any updates compared to their predecessors, with the only change being the addition of a dedicated CoPilot key on the keyboard for Microsoft's AI assistant.
In January of this year, Microsoft specifically introduced the Copilot key: it represents the first major keyboard change in Windows PCs in nearly three decades, allowing for one-touch activation of the Copilot experience on Windows PCs.
Looking at the configuration, the newly launched PCs feature the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, which is the most significant upgrade for these products: the Surface Pro 10 comes with either the Core Ultra 5 135U or Core Ultra 7 165U chips, while the previous Surface Pro 9 for Business was equipped with Core i5-1245U or i7-1265U chips. This CPU upgrade indicates that Microsoft has skipped the 13th generation chips and moved directly from the outdated 12th generation to the Core Ultra chips that were only introduced a few months ago.
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Additionally, these two computers also possess the core "brain" of the intelligent computing era that accelerates the execution of AI tasks—the Neural Processing Unit (NPU). By integrating the NPU, they can provide users with AI features including Windows Studio Effects and real-time captions, and enable businesses and developers to build their own AI applications and experiences.Relying on the AI-assisted Windows Studio effects, users can enable the auto-framing feature to keep their face always centered in the frame while the background remains blurred. Previously, Acer and HP have also released laptops with Core Ultra chips, which also have this effect.
Microsoft has also improved the 13-inch display of the Surface Pro 10, adopting a new anti-reflective coating that increases brightness by 33%.
The front-facing camera of the Surface Pro 10 has been upgraded from 1080p to 1440p from the Pro 9, and the camera will have a 114-degree wide-angle view, enabling it to work with AI-enhanced camera functions; the front-facing camera of the Surface Laptop 6 has been upgraded from 720p to 1080p from before.
In terms of performance, the Surface Laptop 6 is twice as fast as the Surface Laptop 5, and the Surface Pro 10 is 53% faster than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 9.
Microsoft has also equipped the Surface Pro 10 commercial version with an NFC reader, allowing businesses to easily use devices such as YubiKey NFC security keys for authentication. Microsoft also plans to offer a 5G option for the Surface Pro 10 commercial version.
In addition, Microsoft plans to hold a special Windows and Surface AI event on May 20th, where Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will share the company's "AI vision" in software and hardware, and the consumer versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are expected to be unveiled at that time.
The industry chain is expected to usher in a new round of rising volume and prices.
On March 21st, the AMD AI PC Innovation Summit was held in Beijing. The summit, themed "Advancing AI PC," involved several tech giants in the industry, revealing their AI PC deployment plans. The summit showcased the AI capabilities of the AMD Ryzen 8040 series mobile processors and the Ryzen AI Software platform.
AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su stated that millions of Ryzen AI PCs have been shipped, and AMD has not only empowered the digital lives of billions of people but also will continue to commit to the Greater China region in the future, such as establishing key R&D centers, AI Centers of Excellence, empowering large enterprises, joint R&D, and ecosystem co-construction.Liu Jun, Executive Vice President and President of Lenovo Group's China region, stated that Lenovo Group will hold the Lenovo Innovation Technology Conference on April 18th, where the latest strategy and new products of Lenovo's AI PC will be released.
Canalys predicts that a wave of AI-enabled model surge will occur in the first half of 2024.
Given the upcoming release of the latest Windows operating system at the end of 2024, which will feature AI-enhanced capabilities, and the widespread application of AI tools in business and productivity software, the AI PC market is expected to experience rapid growth in 2025 and 2026. Canalys forecasts that by 2027, global shipments of AI PCs are expected to exceed 170 million units, accounting for over 60% of total personal computer shipments, with a CAGR of AI PC shipments reaching 63% from 2023 to 2027.
Xingye Securities indicates that major tech giants such as Microsoft will apply AI large models to terminal devices like PCs, accelerating the penetration of AI on the edge side, which in turn will drive a surge in computational power demand, significantly increasing the value of segments such as servers, AI chips, optical chips, storage, and PCB boards.
According to statistics, there are a total of 61 listed companies in the AI PC industry chain in the A-share market. In the morning session, six companies' stocks rose, with Tongyou Technology, North HuaChuang, and Shenzhen Sinovac leading the gains, increasing by 8.13%, 4.21%, and 3.27% respectively.
In terms of capital flow, 24 AI PC concept stocks have received net inflows of funds from the north since March, with 14 stocks having net inflows exceeding 100 million yuan. Wei Er Shares and North HuaChuang are at the forefront with net inflows both exceeding 1 billion yuan.
*Disclaimer: This article is the original work of the author. The content of the article represents their personal views. We republish it solely for sharing and discussion, and it does not represent our approval or agreement. If there are any objections, please contact the backend.
As tech giants are making their moves, the capacity of AI PCs is expected to increase rapidly.
Microsoft has announced the launch of its first AI-powered computers specifically designed for business users: the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Both will begin shipping to business customers on April 9th, starting at $1,199 (approximately 8,632 RMB). However, they will not be sold directly to consumers.
With the debut of the first AI PCs, it is anticipated that Microsoft will introduce many new artificial intelligence features to the Windows system later this year, and these two new devices will be ready for them.
Microsoft's First AI PC Makes Its Debut
In terms of appearance, these two products have not seen any updates compared to their predecessors, with the only change being the addition of a dedicated CoPilot key on the keyboard for Microsoft's AI assistant.
In January of this year, Microsoft specifically introduced the Copilot key: it represents the first major keyboard change in Windows PCs in nearly three decades, allowing for one-touch activation of the Copilot experience on Windows PCs.
Looking at the configuration, the newly launched PCs feature the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, which is the most significant upgrade for these products: the Surface Pro 10 comes with either the Core Ultra 5 135U or Core Ultra 7 165U chips, while the previous Surface Pro 9 for Business was equipped with Core i5-1245U or i7-1265U chips. This CPU upgrade indicates that Microsoft has skipped the 13th generation chips and moved directly from the outdated 12th generation to the Core Ultra chips that were only introduced a few months ago.
Advertisement
Additionally, these two computers also possess the core "brain" of the intelligent computing era that accelerates the execution of AI tasks—the Neural Processing Unit (NPU). By integrating the NPU, they can provide users with AI features including Windows Studio Effects and real-time captions, and enable businesses and developers to build their own AI applications and experiences.Relying on the AI-assisted Windows Studio effects, users can enable the auto-framing feature to keep their face always centered in the frame while the background remains blurred. Previously, Acer and HP have also released laptops with Core Ultra chips, which also have this effect.
Microsoft has also improved the 13-inch display of the Surface Pro 10, adopting a new anti-reflective coating that increases brightness by 33%.
The front-facing camera of the Surface Pro 10 has been upgraded from 1080p to 1440p from the Pro 9, and the camera will have a 114-degree wide-angle view, enabling it to work with AI-enhanced camera functions; the front-facing camera of the Surface Laptop 6 has been upgraded from 720p to 1080p from before.
In terms of performance, the Surface Laptop 6 is twice as fast as the Surface Laptop 5, and the Surface Pro 10 is 53% faster than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 9.
Microsoft has also equipped the Surface Pro 10 commercial version with an NFC reader, allowing businesses to easily use devices such as YubiKey NFC security keys for authentication. Microsoft also plans to offer a 5G option for the Surface Pro 10 commercial version.
In addition, Microsoft plans to hold a special Windows and Surface AI event on May 20th, where Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will share the company's "AI vision" in software and hardware, and the consumer versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are expected to be unveiled at that time.
The industry chain is expected to usher in a new round of rising volume and prices.
On March 21st, the AMD AI PC Innovation Summit was held in Beijing. The summit, themed "Advancing AI PC," involved several tech giants in the industry, revealing their AI PC deployment plans. The summit showcased the AI capabilities of the AMD Ryzen 8040 series mobile processors and the Ryzen AI Software platform.
AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su stated that millions of Ryzen AI PCs have been shipped, and AMD has not only empowered the digital lives of billions of people but also will continue to commit to the Greater China region in the future, such as establishing key R&D centers, AI Centers of Excellence, empowering large enterprises, joint R&D, and ecosystem co-construction.Liu Jun, Executive Vice President and President of Lenovo Group's China region, stated that Lenovo Group will hold the Lenovo Innovation Technology Conference on April 18th, where the latest strategy and new products of Lenovo's AI PC will be released.
Canalys predicts that a wave of AI-enabled model surge will occur in the first half of 2024.
Given the upcoming release of the latest Windows operating system at the end of 2024, which will feature AI-enhanced capabilities, and the widespread application of AI tools in business and productivity software, the AI PC market is expected to experience rapid growth in 2025 and 2026. Canalys forecasts that by 2027, global shipments of AI PCs are expected to exceed 170 million units, accounting for over 60% of total personal computer shipments, with a CAGR of AI PC shipments reaching 63% from 2023 to 2027.
Xingye Securities indicates that major tech giants such as Microsoft will apply AI large models to terminal devices like PCs, accelerating the penetration of AI on the edge side, which in turn will drive a surge in computational power demand, significantly increasing the value of segments such as servers, AI chips, optical chips, storage, and PCB boards.
According to statistics, there are a total of 61 listed companies in the AI PC industry chain in the A-share market. In the morning session, six companies' stocks rose, with Tongyou Technology, North HuaChuang, and Shenzhen Sinovac leading the gains, increasing by 8.13%, 4.21%, and 3.27% respectively.
In terms of capital flow, 24 AI PC concept stocks have received net inflows of funds from the north since March, with 14 stocks having net inflows exceeding 100 million yuan. Wei Er Shares and North HuaChuang are at the forefront with net inflows both exceeding 1 billion yuan.
*Disclaimer: This article is the original work of the author. The content of the article represents their personal views. We republish it solely for sharing and discussion, and it does not represent our approval or agreement. If there are any objections, please contact the backend.