We are seeing more news about AI PCs, which some have said will be the hot product of 2024. In this case, the hype may not be as frothy, because these are real machines that do real things. 

AI PCs are a response to a shift in demand to machines that can run AI tasks locally, without relying on data transfer to and from the cloud. In that sense, they remind me of the “multimedia PC” craze of the 1990s, when everyone wanted a PC with an in-built CD-ROM drive so they could watch videos on their computer screens.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-an-ai-pc-and-should-you-buy-one/

What is an AI PC? (And should you buy one?)

We are seeing more news about AI PCs, which some have said will be the hot product of 2024. In this case, the hype may not be as frothy, because these are real machines that do real things.   AI PCs are a response to a shift in demand to machines that can run AI tasks locally, without relying on data transfer to and from the cloud. In that sense, they remind me of the “multimedia PC” craze of the 1990s, when everyone wanted a PC with an in-built CD-ROM drive so they could watch videos on their computer screens.  https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-an-ai-pc-and-should-you-buy-one/

Todd Smith

Microsoft will soon begin selling its first-ever desktop PC, the company said Tuesday. The $349 device, called the Windows 365 Link, is meant for enterprise customers and streams Windows from Microsoft’s cloud servers, rather than running the operating system on-device.

The new device shows how Microsoft is aiming to turn hardware sales into a source of recurring subscription revenue from businesses—customers will also need a Windows 365 subscription to use the device, which ranges from $28 to $315 per user per month.

Microsoft also announced updates to its artificial intelligence software for businesses. Starting next year, Microsoft’s 365 Copilot—which relies on OpenAI models to summarize meetings, create Word or Powerpoint documents, visualize data, and carry out other workplace tasks—will add “agent” features that can automate repetitive work. For example, the agent can automatically create a summary of a salesperson’s recent customer interactions 30 minutes before their next scheduled meeting. Microsoft has been trying to convince customers that 365 Copilot is worth the $30 per user per month sticker price, with mixed success.

And the company announced a new product for developers, Azure AI Foundry, which lets customers build and customize their own AI applications using models from OpenAI, Meta, Mistral, and other AI labs. The software, which competes with Amazon’s Bedrock, combines existing developer tools on Azure with features geared towards building AI agents that can carry out multi-step tasks. Microsoft is offering Azure AI Foundry for free in the hopes that it will coax developers to rent servers from Azure to run the AI applications they’ve built.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365/business

 #Gadgets

Gadgets

Microsoft will soon begin selling its first-ever desktop PC, the company said Tuesday. The $349 device, called the Windows 365 Link, is meant for enterprise customers and streams Windows from Microsoft’s cloud servers, rather than running the operating system on-device.  The new device shows how Microsoft is aiming to turn hardware sales into a source of recurring subscription revenue from businesses—customers will also need a Windows 365 subscription to use the device, which ranges from $28 to $315 per user per month.  Microsoft also announced updates to its artificial intelligence software for businesses. Starting next year, Microsoft’s 365 Copilot—which relies on OpenAI models to summarize meetings, create Word or Powerpoint documents, visualize data, and carry out other workplace tasks—will add “agent” features that can automate repetitive work. For example, the agent can automatically create a summary of a salesperson’s recent customer interactions 30 minutes before their next scheduled meeting. Microsoft has been trying to convince customers that 365 Copilot is worth the $30 per user per month sticker price, with mixed success.  And the company announced a new product for developers, Azure AI Foundry, which lets customers build and customize their own AI applications using models from OpenAI, Meta, Mistral, and other AI labs. The software, which competes with Amazon’s Bedrock, combines existing developer tools on Azure with features geared towards building AI agents that can carry out multi-step tasks. Microsoft is offering Azure AI Foundry for free in the hopes that it will coax developers to rent servers from Azure to run the AI applications they’ve built.  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365/business   #Gadgets

Jerome Cody

Apple leads the way 

https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-pcs-made-up-14-quarterly-personal-computer-shipments-canalys-says-2024-08-13/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-20240815

Apple leads the way   https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-pcs-made-up-14-quarterly-personal-computer-shipments-canalys-says-2024-08-13/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-20240815

AI PCs accounted for 14% of all personal computers shipped in the second quarter with Apple leading the way, research firm Canalys said on Tuesday, as added artificial intelligence capabilities help reinvigorate demand.

AI PCs made up 14% of quarterly personal computer shipments, Canalys says

Tasia

Dell Technologies shares hit an all-time high as AI stocks surged, fueled by the company's introduction of AI-focused PCs and robust servers developed in partnership with Nvidia, solidifying its foothold in the AI sector. Bob O'Donnell of TECHnalysis Research sees this as a significant opportunity for Dell to capitalize on.


https://www.reuters.com/technology/dell-hits-record-high-amid-rally-ai-stocks-2024-05-24/

Dell Technologies shares hit an all-time high as AI stocks surged, fueled by the company's introduction of AI-focused PCs and robust servers developed in partnership with Nvidia, solidifying its foothold in the AI sector. Bob O'Donnell of TECHnalysis Research sees this as a significant opportunity for Dell to capitalize on.   https://www.reuters.com/technology/dell-hits-record-high-amid-rally-ai-stocks-2024-05-24/

Shares of Dell Technologies hit a record high on Friday amid a rally in companies working on generative artificial intelligence applications, buoyed by strong optimism for the new technology.

Dell hits record high amid rally in AI stocks

Huawei Technologies just used up another one of its nine lives. The US-sanctioned Chinese telecoms gear maker is under renewed pressure after Washington revoked special licenses that allowed chip suppliers Qualcomm and Intel to sell older-generation semiconductors to Huawei for use in its laptops and handsets.

According to an SCMP review of more than a dozen Huawei consumer laptop models launched since 2022, most were powered by Intel’s Core processors, with the exception of the Matebook E Go, which runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip.

Huawei’s first AI PC, the Matebook X Pro laptop that was launched last month, raised the eyebrows of US lawmakers as the Intel chip includes a neural processing unit that supports AI functions.

Since it was first sanctioned by Washington in 2019 as a potential national security risk, the company has found ways to get its hands on the chips it needs. In the early days, Huawei relied on huge stockpiles that it had accumulated in the lead up to the sanctions. More recently, it has turned to China’s top foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), to fabricate the high-end processors for its 5G smartphones. 

There have also been reports that Huawei is building a secretive semiconductor supply chain in China to evade US reach - but that’s fanciful if the goal is to produce high-end chips outside the established global supply chain.

https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3261914/tech-war-huaweis-growing-laptop-business-china-under-threat-after-us-revokes-intel-qualcomm-chip?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20240510&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=f9aaf50d26626de042873bfe2733d91d&tc=1

China's Huawei introduced a laptop with an Intel AI chip, prompting some GOP lawmakers to blame the Biden administration for failing to revoke a Huawei license. That license, granted by the Trump administration, permits U.S.-based Intel to supply processors to Huawei for laptops, despite Huawei being on a larger U.S. trade blacklist.

https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/blacklisted-huawei-unveils-new-intel-powered-notebooks-matebook-x-pro-comes-armed-with-latest-core-ultra-inside

China's Huawei introduced a laptop with an Intel AI chip, prompting some GOP lawmakers to blame the Biden administration for failing to revoke a Huawei license. That license, granted by the Trump administration, permits U.S.-based Intel to supply processors to Huawei for laptops, despite Huawei being on a larger U.S. trade blacklist.  https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/blacklisted-huawei-unveils-new-intel-powered-notebooks-matebook-x-pro-comes-armed-with-latest-core-ultra-inside

Huawei prepares a premium 'AI PC' laptop.

Blacklisted Huawei unveils new Intel-powered notebooks — MateBook X Pro comes armed with latest Core Ultra inside

Cyril

Huawei Technologies just used up another one of its nine lives. The US-sanctioned Chinese telecoms gear maker is under renewed pressure after Washington revoked special licenses that allowed chip suppliers Qualcomm and Intel to sell older-generation semiconductors to Huawei for use in its laptops and handsets.  According to an SCMP review of more than a dozen Huawei consumer laptop models launched since 2022, most were powered by Intel’s Core processors, with the exception of the Matebook E Go, which runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip.  Huawei’s first AI PC, the Matebook X Pro laptop that was launched last month, raised the eyebrows of US lawmakers as the Intel chip includes a neural processing unit that supports AI functions.  Since it was first sanctioned by Washington in 2019 as a potential national security risk, the company has found ways to get its hands on the chips it needs. In the early days, Huawei relied on huge stockpiles that it had accumulated in the lead up to the sanctions. More recently, it has turned to China’s top foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), to fabricate the high-end processors for its 5G smartphones.   There have also been reports that Huawei is building a secretive semiconductor supply chain in China to evade US reach - but that’s fanciful if the goal is to produce high-end chips outside the established global supply chain.  https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3261914/tech-war-huaweis-growing-laptop-business-china-under-threat-after-us-revokes-intel-qualcomm-chip?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-insidechinatech&utm_content=20240510&tpcc=enlz-insidechinatech&UUID=f9aaf50d26626de042873bfe2733d91d&tc=1

Further restrictions on access to Intel and Qualcomm chips would pose challenges to Huawei’s PC business, which has been gaining ground in the China market.

Huawei’s laptop business under threat after US revokes chip licences

The Rise of AI-Integrated PCs in China

AI-integrated PCs are expected to constitute 85% of new computer setups in China, marking a significant shift from cloud-based to device-local AI applications.

The infusion of AI is redefining the entire PC ecosystem—from silicon and operating systems to the end-user experience.

AI integration is not just about enhancing computational capabilities but also about reimagining the PC as an intelligent entity that can anticipate user needs and handle complex tasks.

https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43861/ai-integrated-pcs/?utm_source=ciwnews.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=digital-human-life-streaming-e-commerce

The Rise of AI-Integrated PCs in China  AI-integrated PCs are expected to constitute 85% of new computer setups in China, marking a significant shift from cloud-based to device-local AI applications.  The infusion of AI is redefining the entire PC ecosystem—from silicon and operating systems to the end-user experience.  AI integration is not just about enhancing computational capabilities but also about reimagining the PC as an intelligent entity that can anticipate user needs and handle complex tasks.  https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/43861/ai-integrated-pcs/?utm_source=ciwnews.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=digital-human-life-streaming-e-commerce

The landscape of personal computing is undergoing a transformation in China, driven by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technologies such as ChatGPT. According to IDC, by 2027, AI-integrated PCs are expected to constitute 85% of new computer setups in China, marking a significant shift from cloud-based to device-local AI applications. This transition heralds a new era where PCs are not merely tools for computing but evolve into sophisticated personal assistants AI's Role in Reinventing PCs As AI technology permeates everyday devices, its impact on the personal computer market is profound. Lenovo’s CEO, Yang Yuanqing, noted that despite the growing

Todd Smith

A group of likeminded people in Artificial Intelligence are talking about this.