Microsoft, a leading technology company, is set to unveil its vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated PCs at the Build developer conference on May 21, 2024. The event can be watched live on YouTube and the conference's official site with registration required for accessing sessions and information directly from the website. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has stated that 2024 will mark a significant year for AI becoming an integral part of every PC.
Microsoft's Build developer conference follows high-profile events hosted by Google I/O and OpenAI, where AI announcements have been a major focus. The company already offers its Copilot chatbot assistant and is expected to showcase further advancements in this area during the event. Additionally, Microsoft is rumored to introduce its first set of Surface laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips on May 20, marking a shift from traditional x86-based PCs to ARM-based personal computing devices.
The first wave of ARM-powered Windows PCs will be based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips, which are built for AI and offer game-changing performance and efficiency. These laptops are expected to get more efficient at computing, thinner, more compact, deliver better image/video quality with integrated ISP and modem capabilities, offer much better battery life even with a smaller battery. However, the downside of ARM-PCs is how developers will react to it. Most first-party and third-party apps for Windows are not natively built for ARM.
Microsoft has stated that Windows 11 is ready for the ARM platform with new features like AI Explorer, but an emulator might not be as efficient as Rosetta 2. Gaming PCs may also require game developers to code their titles in ARM, and older games might need an emulator like Rosetta 2. The first set of ARM-based Windows PCs are likely to be on the expensive side and it might take a few years for this technology to trickle down to entry-level devices.
Microsoft's competitors, such as Apple with its M1 chips, have already shown significant improvements in battery life, efficiency, and market share increase with their MacBooks. An IDC report on Mac sales further highlights the potential of ARM-based PCs in the market.