TL;DR:
- Microsoft plans to launch Windows 12 in June 2024.
- Anticipation of this release has sparked excitement in the tech industry.
- The Commercial Times report suggests a surge in AI PC sales.
- Key industry leaders from Acer, Quanta, MSI, and Gigabyte express optimism.
- Acer’s CEO sees AI PCs driving industry acceleration.
- Quanta anticipates growth in AI PC, AI server, and AI automotive electronics segments.
- The June 2024 release date is earlier than previously hinted.
- Intel Meteor Lake chips may play a crucial role in AI adoption.
- AMD Ryzen 7000 family faces challenges in hardware AI support.
- Windows 12 may require hardware AI processing as a minimum spec.
Main AI News:
In a groundbreaking development for the tech world, Microsoft is gearing up to launch Windows 12 in June 2024. This announcement has sent ripples of anticipation throughout the industry, with insiders predicting a surge in AI PC sales. The Commercial Times, a reputable Taiwanese business newspaper, has brought this news to the forefront, underlining its significance for the island’s PC sector.
Industry Titans Eager for the AI Era
Prominent figures in the tech industry, including leaders from Acer, Quanta, MSI, and Gigabyte, have expressed their excitement about what they are dubbing “the first year of AI PC.” While the Commercial Times report emphasizes the Windows 12 release and the speculated June date, it does not provide direct quotes from these industry luminaries. However, it suggests that the information may have originated from recent statements by Acer’s Chairman and CEO, Jason Chen, and/or Quanta’s Chairman, Barry Lam.
Acer’s Chen has cautiously voiced optimism about the role of AI PCs in accelerating the industry. He envisions a virtuous cycle in which AI PCs drive new AI app development, leading to the creation of more advanced AI PCs and so forth. Quanta’s Lam, on the other hand, is decidedly bullish, predicting an upturn in three key segments: AI PCs, AI servers, and AI automotive electronics. Lam anticipates that with Microsoft’s new generation of Windows operating systems set to launch next summer, AI PCs will follow suit.
A Shift in Release Date
The potential June 2024 release of Windows 12 has raised eyebrows, as it appears to be earlier than previously indicated by various clues. Earlier in March, an Intel Meteor Lake desktop processor leak hinted at Windows 12 as a supported operating system, leading to speculation of a H2 2024 launch, in line with the recently adopted three-year release cycle. In May, we reported that Microsoft was preparing to introduce its own-branded CPU, possibly based on Arm architecture, for Windows 12 devices.
Key Role of Hardware
Intel’s Meteor Lake chips are poised to play a pivotal role in the widespread adoption of accelerated AI, thanks to dedicated processing hardware integrated into all System-on-Chips (SoCs) within this family. However, the situation is less straightforward for AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 family, as only the Ryzen mobile 7040 ‘Phoenix’ chips boast the XDNA architecture hardware for local AI processing acceleration. There are hopeful signs that Phoenix may extend to desktops, and the upcoming Ryzen 8000 family chips could bring enhanced AI capabilities to mobile devices. This leaves us to ponder whether hardware AI processing support might become a minimum specification requirement for Windows 12.
Conclusion:
The imminent launch of Windows 12 in June 2024 is poised to revolutionize the AI PC market. Industry leaders’ optimism and the anticipation of AI PC growth signal significant business opportunities. However, challenges around hardware AI support, as well as the earlier release date, raise questions for the market’s future dynamics, making adaptability and innovation crucial for success.
