The ongoing discussions surrounding NVIDIA’s integration of its chips into Windows on Arm PCs have become a recurring theme, almost like an annual ritual. As we approach 2026, however, the whispers are gaining traction once more, and this time, there appears to be a genuine promise of realization.
Anticipated Launch of NVIDIA’s N1X
According to sources from DigiTimes, the first laptops featuring NVIDIA’s N1X could make their debut as early as the first quarter of this year. Initially slated for a 2025 launch, the timeline has shifted, reigniting hopes that have been simmering since rumors first surfaced in 2023. Performance benchmarks leaked in mid-2025 provided a glimpse of the potential capabilities of the N1X, yet the anticipated reveal at Computex 2025 did not materialize.
Supply chain insights suggest that various factors have contributed to the delays, including challenges associated with Microsoft’s operating system timelines, necessary redesigns of NVIDIA’s chips, and broader global economic conditions. Additionally, the specter of tariffs from the United States continues to loom over the tech landscape.
Interestingly, the NVIDIA N1 chip is already operational within the DGX Spark AI supercomputer, as confirmed by CEO Jensen Huang. Although these systems run on Linux, they provide a tantalizing preview of the performance we might expect from the N1X. The GB10, which houses a 20-core ARM CPU alongside an NVIDIA Blackwell GPU, boasts an impressive total AI performance of up to 1,000 TOPS. In terms of raw power, the CPU outperforms AMD’s Strix Halo (AI Max 395+), while the GPU performance aligns with RTX 5070 levels.
If the N1X-powered PCs do indeed launch this year, they are unlikely to cater to the budget-conscious consumer. For that segment, Qualcomm’s lower-tier Snapdragon X chips remain the go-to option. However, the high-end market could see a significant shift, particularly as NVIDIA invests heavily in the AI sector. It’s reasonable to anticipate that any N1X-powered devices will feature an AI-centric approach, which could breathe new life into the Windows on Arm ecosystem.
While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform has already made waves in the industry, the introduction of NVIDIA’s offerings could further invigorate competition, ultimately propelling Windows on Arm into a new era of innovation.
