As the initial details of Windows 12 become clearer, there are rumors that the operating system could repeat Windows 11's biggest blunder. It was previously reported that the new version of the operating system will focus on artificial intelligence functions. Now, we've learned that many of these features will require specialized neural processing units (NPUs), as reported by Windows Central.
What is hard to forget is the mistake Microsoft made with Windows 11, and its reliance on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) led many users to think that their PCs were not compatible with Windows 11, but in reality this was not the case. If Windows 12 requires an NPU, then this situation could be repeated. Windows Central's report says the new version of Windows will place a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence. Some of the features may include advanced Windows Copilot, enhanced search capabilities, AI-upgraded games and **, and AI-animated wallpapers. "Many of these features will require new NPU hardware to run. ”
Although the report doesn't explicitly state that the new version of Windows will explicitly require an NPU, many features may be limited by the hardware. It's unlikely that Microsoft will require users to have an NPU to use Windows 12, as we're just starting to see this kind of hardware hit the market right now. AMD was the first to introduce Ryzen AI and further developed it into the Ryzen 8040 CPU. We also know that Intel's upcoming Meteor Lake CPUs will include NPUs. Qualcomm is also rolling out the Snapdragon X Elite chip for Windows PCs.
Next year, we will have a large number of AI PCs coming out, but they will be new and can be very expensive. Microsoft doesn't want to limit the new version of Windows to users with the latest, most advanced laptops, so it's hard to imagine using the operating system without an NPU.
Still, the problem is not completely solved. If AI features become the main selling point of Windows 12 and the NPU is not available on older PCs, Microsoft may make the Windows user base even more **. Windows Central reports that this is a real problem within Microsoft.
We know that AI is Microsoft's focus, and there are now several reports that Windows 12 will be available sometime next year. The only real question is whether users need to upgrade their PCs to use the operating system.
post by tom