Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Empowering Era: AI Supported Laptops

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AI Supported laptops are expressing a surge demand. As artificial intelligence continues to grow in importance, computer manufacturers are stepping up to the plate with a new kind of computer: AI PCs. These machines are tailored to handle AI tasks like machine learning, computer vision, and language processing more efficiently than ever before. They achieve this with a special chip called a neural processing unit (NPU), which is designed specifically for AI algorithms and big data.

What’s really cool about these AI PCs is that you don’t need fancy AI software to benefit from them. Even everyday tasks like video calls or gaming can tap into the power of the NPU. For example, AI can help blur backgrounds in video calls or create stunning lighting effects in games, making your experience smoother and more immersive.

In the future, NPUs could become just as essential as CPUs or GPUs in our computers. But you don’t have to wait to experience their benefits. Here are some of the best AI PCs available right now.

Our top picks for Best AI Supported laptops in 2024

  1. Editor’s choice : HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
  2. Premium pick :Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (2024)
  3. Best value : Acer Swift Go 14 (2024)
  4. Best for business : Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
  5. Best for gamers : HP Omen Transcend 14
  6. Best for creators : Surface Laptop Studio 2
  7. Best for productivity : Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024)
  8. Best tablet : Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 5G

HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)

The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) stands out not just as one of the top AI PCs available today, but also as one of the best laptops overall. It’s got a sleek design that can flip into a tablet, a stunning OLED display, and a powerful Core Ultra 7 processor from Intel.

You can get this laptop with either the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H or the more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. We’ll focus on the 155H version here because of its impressive performance boost compared to last year’s model. Plus, you have the option to add a dedicated Nvidia 4050 Laptop GPU for even more power.

Image Credit : Hp.com

Beyond its performance, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) offers a fantastic user experience. It’s lightweight, portable, and versatile thanks to its 2-in-1 design. The touch display is vibrant and responsive, perfect for watching videos or working on creative projects. With a battery life of around six to seven hours for everyday tasks, it keeps you going throughout the day.

The keyboard and touchpad are comfortable to use, and the 4K webcam is a nice bonus. While it might not be the cheapest option out there, if you’re in the market for a premium laptop, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is definitely worth considering.

Image Credit : Hp.com

Pros:

  • Stunning OLED display
  • Excellent 4K webcam
  • Versatile convertible design

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • Simplified design
Image Credit : Hp.com

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (2024)

Asus zenbook 14 OLED laptop stands out for its Intel Meteor Lake hardware, which makes it super-efficient. But what really makes it special is its top-notch construction.

Despite being incredibly light and easy to carry, it’s built tough with a sturdy all-metal design. And don’t worry about connectivity – it still has plenty of ports.

The display is a real treat: a beautiful 3K 120Hz OLED screen with a touchscreen option. Whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or getting creative, it’s a joy to look at. Asus claims its battery can last over 15 hours of video playback, which we’ll confirm once we’ve put it through its paces.

Image Credit : Asus.com

Powering this beauty is the new Core Ultra 7 processor with integrated AI Boost NPU and Arc GPU. While we haven’t tested its performance yet since it’s not out, we expect it to be on par with the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024).

Sure, it’s not the cheapest option out there, especially if you go for the top specs. But if you want top-notch performance, portability, and AI capabilities, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) is hard to beat.

Pros:

  • Beautiful OLED display
  • Big 75 Wh battery for long-lasting power
  • Super portable and easy to carry around

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • Not available for purchase yet
Image Credit : Asus.com

Acer Swift Go 14 (2024)

This is the best budget laptop for machine learning. This laptop offers great performance at a more affordable price compared to our top picks. Despite the lower cost, you still get solid AI capabilities. These are good Ai supported laptops for students.

Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, it’s faster and more efficient than previous models, thanks to its built-in AI Boost NPU and Arc GPU. Plus, the 14-inch OLED display is vibrant and sharp, perfect for enjoying media.

Image Credit : Acer.com

Battery life can be a bit inconsistent, ranging from around three to seven hours in our testing. In terms of build quality, it’s not as sleek as some pricier options, but it still gets the job done. The keyboard is backlit and decent to type on, though not as premium as more expensive models. The speakers could be better, too.

Overall, the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) strikes a good balance between performance and affordability. It may not be the absolute best, but it offers great value, especially with its OLED display. If you’re not chasing the highest specs and want to save some money, this could be the perfect choice for you. If you’re a student seeking the best laptop for artificial intelligence, this is definitely the one to consider.

Image Credit : Acer.com

Pros:

  • Vibrant OLED display
  • Plenty of ports for your devices
  • Offers excellent value for the price

Cons:

  • Tends to get warm during use
  • Keyboard could be improved for better typing experience
  • Battery life can vary unpredictably
Image Credit : Acer.com

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12

Lenova ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 laptop packs a punch with its Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, making it a top contender in the AI space until we see more Ryzen 8000G Series processors in action.

When it comes to design and build quality, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 shines with its signature carbon-fiber chassis, sleek and portable design, and the beloved TrackPoint pointing stick. Plus, it sports a crystal-clear 14-inch 2.8K@120Hz OLED display, now accompanied by a glass touchpad and an upgraded 1080p webcam, setting it apart from its predecessors.

Lenovo promises an all-day battery life, though we’ll have to verify this claim ourselves. But if it holds true, this laptop offers everything a business user could ask for.

Image Credit : Lenova.com

Pros:

  • Sharp OLED display
  • Excellent webcam quality
  • Handy backlit keyboard

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • RAM isn’t upgradeable, as it’s soldered to the motherboard
Image Credit : Lenova.com

HP Omen Transcend 14

HP Omen Transcend 14 laptop offers top-tier performance with either an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 9 185H processor, both equipped with a powerful NPU for AI tasks. Plus, you can choose between an Nvidia RTX 4050 (6GB) or RTX 4070 (8GB) Laptop GPU, making it a powerhouse for gaming, deep learning, and data mining.

Despite its dedicated GPU, the Omen Transcend 14 is surprisingly portable, though it might not be as slim as some other AI PCs. Keep in mind that its battery life may not be as long, especially if you’re pushing the GPU and OLED display to their limits.

Image Credit : Hp.com

Two standout features are its Wi-Fi 7 support and unique keyboard design. The low-profile pudding-style keycaps with translucent sides create a cool effect with the RGB backlighting, adding to the gaming experience.

Overall, the HP Omen Transcend 14 is a great choice for gamers who want power on the go.

Pros:

  • Comes with Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
  • Runs on a powerful and efficient Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU
  • Features an OLED display for stunning visuals

Cons:

  • Has a bulky design, which may not be as sleek as other laptops
  • RAM is soldered, meaning it can’t be easily upgraded
Image Credit : Hp.com

Surface Laptop Studio 2

First, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 may not have the latest AI-ready hardware, but it’s still a solid choice, especially for creative tasks. Its convertible design makes it easy to switch between a laptop and a drawing tablet, perfect for sketching and prototyping. The 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow touch display offers excellent color accuracy and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, ideal for creative work. However, its battery life is a bit disappointing, averaging around three hours.

In terms of performance, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 boasts a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H CPU with an integrated VPU (Vision Processing Unit) called the Intel Gen3 Movidius 3700VC, making it suitable for AI tasks. Upgrading to a version with a dedicated Nvidia GPU, like the GeForce RT 4050 or RTX 4060, can further enhance AI performance.

Image Credit : microsoft.com

On the other hand, the HP Omen Transcend 14 is a powerhouse for gaming and AI tasks. With options for Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 9 185H processors and Nvidia RTX 4050 or RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, it’s built for high-performance gaming, deep learning, and data mining. Despite its dedicated GPU, it remains surprisingly portable, although its battery life may not match that of other laptops. The keyboard features a unique design with RGB backlighting, emphasizing its gaming capabilities.

Both laptops offer unique features and performance tailored to different needs, whether for creative work or gaming and AI tasks.

Pros:

  • Smooth 120Hz touch display for crisp visuals
  • Convertible design allows for versatile use as a laptop or drawing tablet
  • Impressive battery life keeps you powered throughout the day

Cons:

  • Bulky design may not be as sleek as other laptops
  • Pen not included, adding to the cost
  • High price tag compared to similar options
Image Credit : microsoft.com

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024)

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) laptop packs a punch with its powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and a great set of specs. It boasts a sleek design with a slim profile, sporting a stylish icy blue color and a backlit keyboard for added convenience. The 14-inch WVA display offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and either a 2.2K or 2.8K resolution, depending on the version. While the screen looks decent, its max brightness of 300 nits may leave some wanting more.

This dell laptop is Ideal for everyday productivity tasks, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) shines with its efficient Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. This processor is equipped with an integrated Arc GPU for handling high-end graphics and an AI Boost NPU for accelerating image processing and voice assistants. With its decent power efficiency, we anticipate impressive battery life once we get a chance to put it to the test.

Image Credit : dell.com

Though we’ll need to wait until it’s officially released to give a final verdict, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) appears to be one of the most promising mid-range laptops in its price range. If you value AI functionality, it’s definitely worth considering.

Pros:

  • Offers excellent value for its price
  • Delivers well-rounded performance for various tasks
  • Provides solid battery life for all-day use

Cons:

  • Display could use more brightness for better visibility
  • Not available for purchase just yet
Image Credit : dell.com

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 5G

First off, it’s a versatile tablet that works seamlessly with the Surface Slim Pen 2 and Surface Keyboard (both sold separately), offering flexibility in how you use it.

What sets it apart is its ARM-based CPU, a departure from the usual x86-based CPUs found in most PCs. This allows for 5G connectivity, making it great for staying connected on the go.

Despite its portable size, the Surface Pro 9 boasts a 13-inch PixelSense Flow Display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It also impresses with its long battery life, lasting between eight and 10.5 hours in our tests with everyday productivity apps.

Image Credit : microsoft.com

Under the hood, the Microsoft SQ3 CPU may have some compatibility issues with certain software like Google Chrome and Adobe Photoshop, but it still performs decently. Plus, you can access a wide range of Android apps from the Amazon App Store.

But what really stands out is its AI functionality. Equipped with an integrated NPU and preloaded software like Windows Studio effects, it enhances video calls with background blur, automatic framing, eye contact, and background noise suppression. It also supports AI-powered apps like Copilot and Adobe Photoshop, taking your productivity to the next level.

In short, the Surface Pro 9 offers a unique blend of portability, flexibility, and AI support that sets it apart from other PCs on the market.

Pros:

  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Comes with built-in 5G for on-the-go connectivity
  • Compact and portable tablet design

Cons:

  • ARM CPU may face compatibility issues with certain software
  • Does not include a keyboard or pen, which are sold separately
Image Credit : microsoft.com

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