Quick Answer: An NPU (neural processing unit) is a part of the processor designed to handle AI tasks efficiently without relying entirely on your laptop’s CPU or GPU. An NPU on a laptop like the Dell 14 Plus or Dell 16 Plus can accelerate supported AI features, free up the CPU and GPU for other work and handle some AI tasks while using less power.
If you’re shopping for a new laptop, you’ve probably noticed a lot of new jargon, including “AI PC” and “NPU.” Or maybe your laptop still works fine, but you’re wondering if it’s worth upgrading to take advantage of these new features, or whether they’re mainly hype.
An AI PC is one that has a “neural processing unit” (NPU) to handle the increasing number of computing-intensive AI tasks that newer laptops are built to do on your local machine. Microsoft’s Copilot+, for example, enables you to use local AI to search your files and direct everyday tasks with plain-language prompts. While everyone doesn’t need those capabilities, they’re becoming increasingly powerful tools that make work faster and easier, and are definitely worth the upgrade.
The Dell 16 Plus and the Dell 14 Plus are examples of AI PCs with dedicated NPUs to support AI features locally and efficiently. They are powered by Windows 11 and Intel Core Ultra processors, and meet Microsoft’s minimum Copilot+ standards that establish the necessary hardware to run modern AI tasks.
Here’s what to know as you decide if an AI laptop is right for you.
What exactly does an NPU do in a laptop?
An NPU is a specialized microprocessor that offloads AI tasks from your main processor (CPU) and graphics card (GPU) so your computer can handle AI features locally without slowing down, draining your battery, or relying on the cloud.
Here’s how the different processing units divide the workload in an AI PC:
- The Central Processing Unit (CPU) handles general computing tasks
- The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles heavy-duty visual tasks like 3D graphics, video rendering and gaming
- The NPU (Neural Processing Unit) handles repetitive AI tasks like background blurring in video calls, real-time noise cancellation, and automated language processing
By offloading supported AI tasks from the CPU or GPU, an NPU can run those workloads more efficiently, potentially reducing their impact on battery life while leaving other computing resources available for your applications.
Do I need an NPU or an AI PC right now?
Whether you need a laptop with an NPU right now depends on what types of tasks you do on a daily basis.If you spend most of your day browsing the web, editing documents and streaming media, a standard modern laptop with enough memory might meet your needs. But if you regularly do any kind of more power-intensive tasks that an NPU is designed to speed up, an AI PC can handle those much faster and more efficiently. Examples of NPU tasks include:
- Using AI-enhanced video conferencing that blurs backgrounds or transcribes your meetings
- Content creation like audio and video editing or AI transcription tools
- Using local AI assistants to search your machine, like Microsoft Copilot+
As developers add more local AI capabilities to everyday applications, an “AI laptop” with a dedicated NPU sets you up to take advantage of them. The Dell 14 Plus and Dell 16 Plus, which meet Copilot+ PC standards for NPU speed, memory and storage, are both examples of laptops to consider if you’re looking for a solid AI PC to take advantage of these breakthrough technologies.
How do the Dell 16 Plus and Dell 14 Plus compare?
Dell 14 PlusDell 16 PlusScreen
14-inch, up to 2.5K16-inch, up to 2.5KPortabilitySmaller and easier to carryLarger desktop-replacement feelWeightStarts at 3.4 lbStarts at 4.1 lb.KeyboardNo number padIncludes a numeric keyboardMeets Microsoft Copilot+ CriteriaYesYesExample ConfigurationCore Ultra 5, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSDCore Ultra 7, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSDBest forStudents and mobile professionals wanting maximum portabilityMultitaskers needing a larger screen for split-window productivity
For users looking for a versatile workstation, the Dell 16 Plus delivers extra screen real estate and robust AI capability for demanding multitasking. Meanwhile, the Dell 14 Plus presents a compact design tailored for travelers and hybrid workers who prioritize battery efficiency and portability without compromising on next-generation NPU performance. Both ship with Windows 11 and both models include up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
Dell 14 Plus
Dell 16 Plus
What are the minimum specs for a Copilot+ PC?
The minimum specs for a Copilot+ PC establish what Microsoft considers the necessary hardware for a laptop to be considered an AI PC, a term you’ve surely heard if you’ve been browsing new laptops recently.
Microsoft established the Copilot+ PC category in 2024 to create a clear hardware standard for a new generation of Windows PCs capable of running substantial AI workloads locally. A qualifying Copilot+ PC must run Windows 11 and include at least:
- NPU Speed: 40+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second)
- Memory: At least 16GB of RAM
- Storage: At least 256GB of solid-state disk (SSD) storage.
The Dell 14 Plus and the Dell 16 Plus both meet Copilot+ PC standards and are powered by Windows 11 and Intel Core Ultra processors. Which one you choose depends on the screen size and portability you’re looking for.
The takeaway on upgrading to an AI PC
An NPU-equipped laptop is ultimately about balancing usefulness today with flexibility tomorrow. Dell’s 14 Plus and 16 Plus can shift supported AI workloads away from the CPU and GPU, potentially handling them more efficiently while leaving those processors available for other work. You don’t need to replace a perfectly good laptop just to get an NPU, but if you’re already upgrading and expect to keep your next PC for several years, a Copilot+ capable NPU is increasingly worth putting on your checklist.
To see all the specs and compare different models, check out Dell’s full lineup of AI PC’s.
FAQ
What is the most affordable Dell AI PC?
At $799.99, the Dell 16 Plus is the most affordable Dell AI PC. It meets Microsoft’s Copilot+ minimum standards for modern AI tasks and features an Intel Core Ultra processor and up to 20 hours of battery life. If you’re looking for all the benefits of a Dell Copilot+ PC without a premium price tag, this is the one for you.
What does TOPS mean in AI PCs?
TOPS stands for “trillions of operations per second,” which measures how many AI-oriented calculations a processor can perform each second. A higher TOPS number means the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) can handle more demanding AI workloads.
Can I run AI without an NPU?
Technically, yes. AI workloads can run on a CPU or GPU, and many popular AI services actually run in the cloud. For supported local AI workloads, however, an NPU is designed to perform certain tasks more efficiently and with less power than relying on the CPU or GPU alone.
Does an NPU make my computer faster?
It can. An NPU offloads certain AI tasks from the CPU and GPU, freeing those resources for other applications while handling AI workloads more efficiently. In general, though, an NPU only makes your computer faster for specific AI tasks but does not boost general performance for non-AI tasks.
What is the Copilot+ PC threshold?
A true Copilot+ PC requires an NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS, combined with a minimum of 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Only an AI PC that meets these criteria qualifies for Microsoft’s Copilot+ category, even if it is a Windows laptop that has an NPU and runs local AI workloads.
Does the Dell 16 Plus have an NPU?
Yes, the Dell 16 Plus offers NPUs ranging from 47 to 48 TOPS in its current Intel configurations, fully meeting the Copilot+ PC requirements for local AI processing.