Why an NPU is needed in addition to the CPU and GPU.
To understand what's changing, we need to delve a little into the technology and look under the hood of the clients. Something crucial has happened there. Alongside the familiar CPU and GPU, a third component has joined the team: the NPU (Neural Processing Unit). Its main task is to execute AI functions locally on the device.
The NPU is standard in modern Copilot+ devices. These aren't clients that can use a "better Copilot," but simply devices that meet a minimum technical standard – including an NPU with at least 40 TOPS. The distribution of roles among the three processing units is actually quite simple:
And Microsoft isn't alone: More and more partner manufacturers are integrating new AI features into their applications via DirectML – the API that allows manufacturers to connect their software to the NPU. Some programs, like MacAfee, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, and OBS Studio, are already using the NPU. The infrastructure is in place, and development is underway. All of this already exists. Some is still in the pilot phase, some is already widely available. But it's not yet fully active or in its final configuration.
Why not? Because Microsoft is waiting until enough devices with NPUs are on the market. The software is waiting for the hardware. Anyone who buys devices without an NPU today is relying on the CPU and GPU to handle the load. While this works, it's not very efficient or energy-saving. And, most importantly, it results in noticeable performance losses.
Why the old procurement logic needs to be expanded.
For decades, procurement was guided by one question: "What performance do I need today?" It was also generally accepted that even inexpensive models offered more performance than the devices purchased years ago that were currently in use. Those who wanted more headroom opted for higher-performance versions, thus securing a reliable buffer for the coming years.
Experts now agree that this approach is flawed for future device cycles. The question must now be: Can the devices we purchase today deliver the software capabilities required in the coming years? In this context, choosing Copilot+ devices is not a luxury, but rather proactive risk management.
Anyone procuring devices today is investing not just for 2026, but also for 2027, 2028, and potentially beyond. And anyone planning today without an NPU risks a scenario the client market hasn't seen in over a decade: devices that, in extreme cases, won't even last their planned lifespan because their software can no longer keep up.