NPU performance Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2026

Windows 11 Task Manager is finally getting deeper insights into NPU usage in AI PCs — No more trying to guess which apps are using the specialized hardware

Windows 11's Task Manager is being updated to provide more detailed insights into Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance. The latest Insider Preview Build 26300.8142 introduces optional columns for NPU Dedicated Memory and NPU Shared Memory in the Details tab, along with showcasing neural engines associated with the GPU in the Performance tab. The NPU was first introduced in mainstream devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips and Microsoft Copilot+ PCs in 2024. Many new laptops and desktops now come equipped with NPUs, compatible with Copilot+, regardless of whether they use Qualcomm, Intel, or AMD hardware.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

IFA 2025: Accelerating innovation with Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11

At IFA Berlin, Acer and Lenovo showcased advancements in Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11, emphasizing innovation that is personalized, intelligent, and secure. The Acer TravelMate X4 14 AI Copilot+ PC is designed for small and medium-sized businesses, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor, up to 32 GB LPDDR5X memory, and 1 TB PCIe storage, with a lightweight design of 1.27 kg. The Acer Predator Helios 18P offers desktop-level gaming power with an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The refreshed Nitro Windows 11 lineup includes Nitro V 16 and Nitro V 16S laptops and Nitro 50 and Nitro 70 desktops for gamers. Lenovo's Legion Pro 7 features an AMD Ryzen 9955HX3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, while the Legion Go handheld offers an OLED VRR display and up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 storage. The Copilot+ PC ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition delivers over 40 TOPS of NPU performance, and the redesigned ThinkPad models cater to data-intensive workflows.

Winsage

December 14, 2024

Rising to the TOPS: How will NPUs and Windows AI grow in 2025?

In 2024, Microsoft introduced the "Copilot+ PC" branding for AI-capable laptops, while Apple launched Apple Intelligence. These developments have led to mixed outcomes, with features like real-time translations and on-device speech-to-text being beneficial, but others, such as Windows Recall, still proving their value. By 2025, mainstream developers are expected to integrate on-device AI into Windows applications, influencing consumer purchasing decisions. The term "TOPS" (Trillions of Operations Per Second) is becoming important for evaluating the AI performance of Windows laptops, with a minimum of 40 TOPS required for Microsoft's "Copilot PC+" designation. Qualcomm's Copilot+ PCs reported around 45 TOPS, significantly higher than Intel's 11 TOPS. By the end of 2024, premium Windows laptops are expected to see a three- to four-fold increase in NPU performance compared to 2023 models. Analysts speculate further performance improvements may occur towards the end of 2025. Despite the potential for a two- to three-fold enhancement in on-device AI performance, experts caution against overemphasizing TOPS figures, which may not accurately reflect real-world performance. The lack of a unified API for leveraging NPU capabilities in Windows complicates matters for users of Copilot+ laptops without Qualcomm chips. Although AMD and Intel have released competitive chips, Qualcomm currently holds an advantage with exclusive support for certain applications. Microsoft is promoting its low-level machine learning API (DirectML) and the Windows Copilot Runtime, which may enhance the Copilot+ PC ecosystem. While cloud-based AI solutions remain an option, the cost of these services is expected to rise, making on-device AI more appealing. The introduction of ChatGPT Pro highlights the financial implications of cloud access compared to on-device NPU usage, which incurs no additional costs. The pace of on-device AI adoption in Windows' software ecosystem is anticipated to accelerate in 2025.