2024 in laptops: it’s shaping up to be a big year for Windows / Intel and AMD is getting ready for a Windows refresh, Arm’s back, and everyone’s betting on AI.
The year 2023 has been relatively uneventful for laptops, with Apple maintaining dominance in performance and battery life. Microsoft’s Surface line received incremental upgrades, and Intel, responding late in the year, aimed to challenge Apple’s supremacy. However, the anticipation builds for 2024, poised to become one of the most intriguing years for laptops in recent times.
Looking back at the influence of Apple’s iPad, which prompted Microsoft to develop Windows on Arm a decade ago, the upcoming changes in 2024 laptops will primarily revolve around chip advancements for the AI era. While a major design overhaul for Windows 12 isn’t expected, the focus will shift to the chip side, with Intel leading the charge in December with its Meteor Lake Core Ultra chips. These processors mark Intel’s foray into chiplets for each component, utilizing the Intel 4 process (equivalent to 7-nanometer) and incorporating an AI coprocessor. The collective enhancements aim to deliver improved battery life, potentially rivaling Apple’s MacBook lineup in addition to achieving commendable performance.
This shift towards AI-centric advancements is a pivotal moment for the laptop landscape. As Intel introduces the Meteor Lake Core Ultra chips, the industry anticipates a transformative era where each component operates with specialized chiplets. The move to the Intel 4 process, equivalent to 7-nanometer technology, signals a leap in processing efficiency.
A noteworthy inclusion is the introduction of an AI coprocessor within these chips. This strategic integration aims not only to enhance overall performance but also to compete with the industry benchmark set by Apple’s MacBook lineup. The collective improvements hold the promise of not just matching but potentially surpassing Apple’s standards in both battery life and processing capabilities.
As 2024 unfolds, the stage is set for a resurgence in innovation reminiscent of the Windows 8 era. While the design aesthetics may not undergo a radical transformation, the technological underpinnings are gearing up for a significant leap forward, marking a new chapter in the evolution of laptops. Stay tuned as the competition for supremacy in the AI-driven era of computing unfolds in the coming year.
The spotlight falls on the AI coprocessor embedded within, a source of intrigue amid Intel and Microsoft dropping hints about an impending Windows update. Both companies emphasize that “AI is going to reinvent how you do everything on Windows.” Speculations suggest a significant AI focus in Windows 12, leveraging Intel’s Core Ultra chips with integrated AI coprocessors. AMD is also in the game, with its Ryzen 7000 mobile processors featuring a dedicated AI engine—a trend seen in Arm-powered Windows laptops.
Intel’s recent AI event marked the launch of the Core Ultra chips, just ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where laptops from Lenovo, MSI, Acer, and Asus, powered by these new chips, will take center stage. While Intel emphasizes “AI everywhere,” the missing puzzle piece remains a mystery—the unveiling of a new AI-centric version of Windows.
Publicly teasing a “Windows refresh” for 2024 aligns seamlessly with Intel’s push for AI-focused chips and the circulating rumors about an AI-centric Windows 12. Microsoft, although silent on Windows 12 plans, is actively incorporating AI features into Windows 11 and Windows 10. The trajectory suggests an inevitable emphasis on AI in the next Windows iteration. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of consumer marketing, hinted, “As we start to develop future versions of Windows, we’ll think about other places where AI should play a natural role in terms of the experience.”
As the anticipation for a new AI-centric version of Windows builds, the industry is abuzz with the transformative potential it holds. Intel’s Core Ultra chips, equipped with dedicated AI coprocessors, have set the stage for a paradigm shift in computing. The recent AI event, coupled with the promise of a “Windows refresh” in 2024, aligns with the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of operating systems.\
The imminent arrival of laptops from major manufacturers like Lenovo, MSI, Acer, and Asus featuring these cutting-edge chips underscores the industry’s eagerness to embrace AI-driven advancements. While Intel emphasizes the ubiquity of AI, the specifics of how this will integrate into the Windows experience remain a tantalizing mystery.
Microsoft’s foray into infusing AI features into Windows 11 and Windows 10 foreshadows an inevitable convergence towards a more AI-centric future. Yusuf Mehdi’s statement, highlighting the consideration of AI in developing future versions of Windows, hints at a deliberate strategy to integrate artificial intelligence seamlessly into the user experience.
As the tech landscape evolves, the convergence of powerful hardware and intelligent software is poised to redefine how users interact with their devices. The unveiling of Windows 12, rumored to be steeped in AI advancements, promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of operating systems, marking a significant leap toward a more intelligent and responsive computing environment. Stay tuned as the intersection of AI and Windows unfolds in the coming months, reshaping the way we engage with our digital world.
Arm is poised to take the spotlight in the Windows landscape in 2024. Qualcomm asserts dominance with its Snapdragon X Elite processor, positioning it to surpass competitors like Apple, Intel, and AMD. Although laptops featuring the Snapdragon X Elite are slated for mid-2024 shipments, they present a promising opportunity for Windows on Arm to finally achieve the performance it has long sought.
While Microsoft has previously co-engineered custom Qualcomm chips for its Arm-powered Surface Pro variants, achieving performance parity with traditional Windows laptops has proven challenging. App compatibility hurdles have been addressed, yet the full transition of apps to the Arm architecture remains crucial for optimal performance. Microsoft’s Edge browser, based on Chromium, thrives on Windows on Arm due to dedicated efforts, while Google Chrome, also Chromium-based, lags as an x86 app.
Qualcomm’s enhanced performance may catalyze Windows on Arm, but sustained success hinges on broader efforts from Microsoft and developers to ensure seamless functionality for all applications. Reports hint at Nvidia and AMD entering the Arm PC chip arena by 2025, suggesting a significant year ahead for the evolution of Windows on Arm.
The anticipated resurgence of Windows on Arm in 2024 goes beyond Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor. Microsoft’s collaboration with Qualcomm in developing custom chips for Arm-powered Surface Pro models has laid the groundwork, but challenges persist in achieving the expected performance levels of traditional Windows laptops.
The imminent arrival of laptops equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite processor offers a ray of hope for Windows on Arm, presenting an opportunity to bridge the performance gap. Microsoft has made strides in addressing app compatibility issues, yet the success of this platform depends on a broader shift of developers migrating their applications to the Arm architecture.
While Microsoft’s Edge browser stands as a testament to optimized performance on Windows on Arm, the disparity with Google Chrome highlights the importance of application transition. As the Snapdragon X Elite aims to elevate Windows on Arm, the ecosystem’s trajectory hinges on concerted efforts from both Microsoft and developers to ensure a seamless experience across all applications.
Looking ahead, reports of Nvidia and AMD entering the Arm PC chip arena in 2025 add another layer of anticipation, hinting at a pivotal period for the evolution of Windows on Arm. As the tech landscape continues to reshape, the coming years hold the promise of a more robust and versatile Windows experience on Arm-powered devices. Stay tuned for the unfolding developments in this dynamic intersection of hardware and software innovation.
