Buying guide
AI at home, honestly explained
What an 'AI PC' actually is, what you need to run AI tools on your own computer, and where AI features genuinely help around the home.
The problem
"AI" now appears on everything from laptops to headsets, and it's hard to tell a genuine capability from a marketing label. This guide explains the terms so you can decide what, if anything, you need.
Key considerations
Most AI you use runs in the cloud. Chat assistants, image generators and AI search run on the provider's servers. Your device only needs a browser.
"AI PC" labels vary. Some Windows features need a Copilot+ PC with a 40+ TOPS NPU. Other machines branded "AI" have smaller NPUs or none at all. We list the NPU rating where the manufacturer provides it, and we don't call a computer an AI PC unless it meets Microsoft's requirements.
Running AI locally is about memory. If you want to experiment with private, offline AI models, a mini PC with plenty of memory and a capable processor is a practical, quiet option. Barebone models let you add as much memory as you need.
AI features in other products. Some products use AI for specific jobs, such as noise cancelling in headsets or print-failure detection in 3D printers. These are useful features in their own right — judge them on what they do, not the label.
Recommended products
Products for this guide are still being curated — check back soon.
Which is right for you
A comparison table will appear here once at least two products are curated for this guide.
FAQs
What is a Copilot+ PC?
It's Microsoft's label for Windows computers with a neural processing unit (NPU) rated at 40 TOPS or more, plus at least 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage. These unlock certain Windows AI features. A processor with 'AI' in its name doesn't automatically meet this bar, so check the NPU rating.
Do I need an AI PC to use ChatGPT or Gemini?
No. Online AI assistants run on the provider's servers, so any computer or phone with a browser and an internet connection can use them.
Can I run AI models on my own computer?
Yes. Tools such as Ollama and LM Studio run open AI models locally. They mostly use the processor and graphics, not the NPU, and memory is usually the limit: 16GB is a practical minimum, and more lets you run larger models.