NPU Archives

Winsage

January 17, 2026

Microsoft rolls out tables in Notepad for all Windows 11 users, though I’d feel happier about this if I knew this was the final addition to my favorite little app

Notepad has undergone significant enhancements since 2022, including spell checking, dark mode, tabbed windows, state preservation, basic formatting capabilities, and the introduction of tables. The AI text streaming feature is currently available only on Copilot+ PCs but will eventually be rolled out to all Windows 11 systems. Users appreciate Notepad's simplicity and minimalistic design, though there are concerns that adding too many features may compromise its core functionality.

Winsage

January 13, 2026

CES 2026: Showcasing new Windows 11 PC innovations across the ecosystem

CES showcased significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into the Windows ecosystem, with various companies unveiling new products. Acer introduced the Copilot+ PCs, including the Swift 16 AI laptop with a haptic touchpad and Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop. ASUS launched the Zenbook DUO, featuring dual OLED touchscreens, and the ROG Zephyrus Duo, a dual-screen gaming laptop. Dell refreshed its XPS brand with new laptops and monitors, while HP presented the EliteBook X G2 Series and the EliteBoard G1a Next Gen AI PC. Lenovo revealed several new Copilot+ PCs, and Samsung introduced the Galaxy Book6 series. AMD and Intel announced new processor lines, with AMD's Ryzen AI 400 Mobile Series and Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors. Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon X2 Plus for enhanced AI experiences in PCs.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

Microsoft says you should upgrade to Windows 11 AI PCs if you want to be prepared for the next generation of computing

Microsoft is introducing the "Copilot+ PC," a new category of Windows PCs that run on Windows 11 but have specific hardware requirements, including up to 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPs. The NPU is crucial for AI and machine learning tasks, allowing for on-device AI processing. Not all Windows 11 devices qualify as Copilot+ PCs, particularly older models with lower NPU capabilities. Microsoft claims that Copilot+ PCs enhance productivity and creativity with features like a dedicated Copilot key, Recall for screen activity, Live Captions in over 40 languages, image generation in Paint, and tools in Microsoft Photos for editing. Despite the focus on AI, some manufacturers are shifting their attention to other features such as build quality and gaming performance.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

Windows 11 AI components are getting their own changelogs (release history), as Microsoft plans model updates

Microsoft has released a support document titled “Release information for AI components” that details the AI components integrated into Windows 11, which can be installed through Windows Update or accessed via the Microsoft Update Catalog. These components are essential for enabling various AI models to operate locally on devices, and installations typically occur automatically on compatible PCs with 40+ TOPs of NPU. The size of Windows 11 Patch Tuesday updates has increased significantly, now ranging from 4-5GB, compared to previous updates that were under 800MB. Users can manage AI components through Settings > System > AI Components, although this page is empty for older PCs. The changelog includes individual components like the Settings Model, Image Search, Semantic Analysis, and Content Extraction, as well as lower-level elements such as Execution Provider. Updates for these AI models occur every few weeks, often without visible changes.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts

HP introduced the EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026, a keyboard that integrates a mini PC powered by AMD's Ryzen AI 300 PRO mobile processors, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 50 TOPS. It is designed to cater to hybrid workers using external monitors with laptops closed. The internal components include upgradeable DDR5 SODIMM RAM and M.2 NVMe solid-state drives. Key specifications include: - OS: Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro - CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 PRO - GPU: Up to AMD Radeon 860M integrated - RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM - Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 512GB encrypted PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 32GB eMMC v5.0 (Ryzen AI 7 350 only) - Ports: 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (detached cable); 1x tethered USB4, 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (attached cable) - Connectivity: MediaTek RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3, MediaTek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6.0 - Audio: Stereo speakers, Stereo microphones - Power: Configurable 32Whr battery (3.5+ hours), 65W USB-C GaN power adapter - Dimensions: 358mm x 118mm x 17mm, weight 1.49 - 1.69 lbs The design includes a spill-resistant keyboard that can be replaced in about ten minutes and a removable bottom panel for easy access to internal components. Both models support up to four 4K monitors at 60Hz and offer around 3.5 hours of usage on a full charge. The EliteBoard G1a has received a CES Innovation Award.

Winsage

January 3, 2026

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12-inch delivers rich Windows‑on‑Arm performance at a new low price — now under $760 for New Year’s

In 2026, Amazon is offering a 16% discount on the Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch laptop, reducing its price to .99 from the original .99. The laptop features a Snapdragon X Plus (8 Core) processor, 16GB of RAM, a 12-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2196x1464, a refresh rate of 90Hz, and a brightness of 400 nits. It has 512GB of storage, a battery life averaging around 16 hours, and supports Windows on ARM. Additionally, a 256GB version is available for .99, down from .99, with various color options for the 512GB model.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Windows Reborn: Microsoft Moves Copilot into the Kernel, Launching the Era of the AI-Native OS

Microsoft is transitioning its Windows operating system to an "AI-native" platform, embedding AI capabilities directly into the Windows kernel, marking a significant architectural shift not seen in three decades. This new approach, called the "Agentic OS," allows AI to manage files, system settings, and workflows proactively. The updated kernel, partially rewritten in Rust, includes a new NPU-aware scheduler that treats the Neural Processing Unit as a primary resource. Microsoft has introduced "Agent Workspace" and "Agent Accounts" for autonomous agents, ensuring actions are logged and audited for compliance. Communication between agents and the system is facilitated by the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Hardware requirements for the new OS have increased, with benchmarks set for NPUs achieving 80 to 100 TOPS. Major PC manufacturers are adjusting their portfolios to accommodate "Agentic PCs." The competitive landscape is evolving, with companies like Alphabet and Apple developing their own AI-native platforms. The introduction of the AI-native kernel raises privacy and security concerns, with Microsoft implementing measures to restrict third-party access to the kernel. Future updates may include "self-healing" capabilities and "Cross-Device Agency," leading to a more integrated personal AI experience.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

3 Windows 11 and Microsoft features you’ll love in 2026 — and 1 you’ll hate

In 2025, Microsoft faced public perception challenges, with accusations of "enshittification" of its products, including Xbox, Surface, and Windows, leading to a loss of support from former advocates. Windows 11 has been criticized for bugs and underwhelming AI features. Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme chips, which will require an update to Windows 11 (version 26H1) for compatibility. Windows 11 will also see the return of the Agenda view in the Taskbar calendar flyout and improvements to dark mode, addressing previous inconsistencies. A controversial feature in Microsoft Teams will automatically update users' work locations based on Wi-Fi connections, raising privacy concerns. The Xbox Full Screen Experience is being rolled out to enhance the gaming interface, optimizing performance by reducing background applications.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Windows PC gaming in 2025: Handheld innovation, Arm progress and DirectX advances

Windows has been a key platform for PC gaming, evolving significantly by 2025 with advancements in handheld gaming and performance. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors, were introduced, enhancing handheld gaming experiences. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was launched for these devices, optimizing gaming interfaces. Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) was implemented, reducing load times by over 80% for some titles. System-level performance improvements included tuned power management and lower CPU overhead. Windows also focused on Arm devices, enabling local game installations through the Xbox PC app and expanding compatibility with the Prism emulator. Native anti-cheat support was introduced for Arm devices, enhancing competitive gaming. DirectX 12 advancements included features that improved ray tracing performance by up to 2.3×. Bluetooth LE Audio support was added to enhance audio quality for gamers. Upcoming innovations include expanding FSE to more Windows devices, further ASD support, and a preview of Auto Super Resolution for improved visuals in games.