AI laptops are here, but do users really need them?

The word “AI” has taken over tech marketing this year. From phones to cloud services, every product now claims some form of artificial intelligence.

Laptops are the latest to join the race. Major brands are pushing a new wave of machines called “AI PCs,” built with specialized chips called NPUs, or neural processing units.

These processors promise to handle AI workloads directly on the device, instead of relying on cloud servers.

The question is simple. Do everyday users actually need this new kind of laptop, or is it just another clever way to sell hardware?

A regular laptop makes use of its processor to handle most tasks and for graphics, it uses the GPU.

In an AI laptop, there is an additional NPU, a chip that helps the laptop accelerate machine learning models.

This chip handles multiple AI-related tasks like text generation, voice transcription, image recognition, background blur in video calls etc.

Therefore, the main processor of the laptop does not go through the stress of running these tasks.

The idea is that these tasks run faster, use less power, and work offline. For professionals in fields like video editing or coding with AI assistance, this may sound appealing.

For a student or casual user, the difference might not be so clear.

Manufacturers have been quick to label these devices as the future. Microsoft, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are all pushing the “AI PC” label.

They highlight tasks like automatic photo editing, smarter voice assistants, and productivity apps that use AI to summarize text or generate drafts.

The pitch is simple: buy this laptop, and you’ll be ready for the AI-driven future. But the details are fuzzy.

Which apps actually take advantage of NPUs today? Which features will matter in two years? Most companies haven’t given clear answers.

For basic work like browsing, writing, video calls, and streaming, AI laptops do not feel much different from older models.

Most common apps still rely on CPUs and cloud services for their AI features. The built-in NPU often sits idle.

Even in cases where the chip is used, the changes are small. A smoother background blur in Zoom calls or faster transcription in Microsoft Word are nice to have, but not game-changing.

These are not features that most people would buy a new laptop for.

One real advantage could be power savings. Running AI models on an NPU uses less energy than pushing them through the CPU or GPU.

In theory, this means longer battery life. For people who work on the go, this is a practical improvement.

Still, not every task uses the NPU, so the gains vary a lot depending on the app.

Tech marketing often runs ahead of real-world use. If you think back to 2019/2020, you will recall all the fuss about foldable devices.

Oh, I can’t forget the intense marketing around VR headsets and even 3D laptops.

How did these techs end up? Niche products that only a few need.

It is most probable for an AI laptop to end up the same way if apps do not make good use of the hardware.

There’s also the risk of confusing buyers. A student looking for a reliable laptop may pay extra for an “AI PC” without ever using the new features.

In that case, the label is just another way to increase prices.

That doesn’t mean AI laptops have no value. Developers working on AI models may benefit from faster local performance.

Since it offers smoother tools for Photoshop or video editing, it will be a good buy for creative professionals.

Furthermore, the offline AI assistant will be of huge benefit to business users who may not want to pay for the internet all the time.

But these are specific groups. For the average person who checks email, watches videos, and writes documents, the new hardware is far less important.

AI laptops show where the industry is heading, but they don’t yet solve a problem most people have. Today, the benefits are minor, and the hype is louder than the reality.

Maybe in a few years, with better apps and stronger support, NPUs will become essential.

At the moment, we recommend that potential buyers exercise some patience, especially if you are not a tech geek who is buying out of curiosity.