Imagine a laptop with an iteration of Nvidia’s ARM-based CPU paired with a powerful RTX graphics card, all enhanced by AI. Years ago, that would have sounded outlandish, but now it seems like it could actually happen.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Dell CEO Michael Dell more or less confirmed that Team Green will join the AI PC hype next year.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Nvidia’s plans to make ARM-based CPUs. In October 2023, there were reports that Microsoft was pushing companies to enter the market in an effort to compete with Apple’s M-series chips, including Nvidia and AMD. Currently, Qualcomm has exclusivity to make ARM-based Windows laptops, but that will reportedly end after 2024.
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Nvidia has been harnessing the power of AI for years, particularly its machine learning and deep learning-based innovations like DLSS and ray tracing that are available exclusively with RTX graphics cards. Additionally, the company’s AI research arm is developing areas like computer vision and natural language processing, while its enterprise GPUs power data center and cloud AI services. On the hardware side, specifically on the CPU front, Nvidia has the Grace Hopper Superchip for high-end workstations, and in the past we’ve seen the Tegra-series SoC.
While there’s a good chance that Nvidia is playing it safe, I honestly wouldn’t mind a low-power SoC for portable consoles or maybe even compact gaming laptops.
With all major names in computing focused on creating an AI-enhanced PC ecosystem, this move is significant in the context of the increasing demand for intelligent computing solutions. AI-specific chips can handle a variety of tasks, including natural language processing, real-time data analysis, and advanced image and video processing. These capabilities not only improve performance, but also enable new features that can enhance the user experience in both consumer and professional environments.
This could be a huge opportunity for Nvidia. Not only can the company help solidify Windows on ARM as a platform alongside its recently announced Copilot+ PCs, but it may also have what it takes to push the boundaries and create a more holistic ecosystem that combines AI and gaming. Tight control over the CPU could potentially unlock new levels of gaming experiences that aren’t just limited to laptops, but consoles and desktops as well.
It’s still too early to speculate on what Nvidia has in store for us, but 2025 already seems like an interesting year for laptops.
