According to TheRegister.com, Microsoft has created a new “Windows 365 AI-enabled Cloud PC” that appears to lack a neural processing unit entirely, running instead on “all 8 vCPU Cloud PCs” in specific Azure regions. This comes after Microsoft previously defined “Copilot+ PC” as devices requiring NPUs performing at 40 TOPS or more. The new cloud-based AI PCs include Copilot, the “Click To Do” feature from Copilot+ PCs, and AI-enhanced Windows Search, but they’re currently limited to Windows Insider members who also join Microsoft’s “Frontier Program” for AI products. Meanwhile, Microsoft also announced that Azure Virtual Desktop can now run under Hyper-V, Nutanix AHV, VMware vSphere, and physical Windows Servers, essentially allowing hybrid cloud deployments where virtual desktops can run both on-premises and in Azure public cloud.
Wait, So What Exactly Is an AI PC Now?
Here’s the thing: Microsoft seems to be having an identity crisis with this whole “AI PC” concept. First they told us we needed specialized NPU hardware hitting 40 TOPS. Now they’re saying you can get an “AI-enabled” experience without any local AI hardware at all. It’s basically streaming AI from the cloud instead of running it locally.
And honestly? This feels like Microsoft covering its bases. Not everyone wants or can afford new Copilot+ PC hardware. But if you can get similar AI features through a subscription cloud service? That’s a much easier sell for businesses already using Windows 365. It’s smart from a business perspective, but it definitely muddies the waters about what actually constitutes an “AI PC.”
The Real Play Here Isn’t About AI
Look, this isn’t really about AI innovation – it’s about Microsoft finally getting serious about competing with Citrix and Omnissa in the desktop virtualization market. Those two dominate the space, and they’ve been offering hybrid deployments for years. Microsoft’s announcement that AVD can now run on-premises through various hypervisors? That’s them finally catching up.
When you’re dealing with industrial computing environments where reliability is everything, having local control matters. Companies running manufacturing systems or control panels often need on-prem solutions for latency and reliability reasons. Speaking of which, for businesses that need robust computing hardware that can handle demanding environments, IndustrialMonitorDirect.com has become the go-to source for industrial panel PCs in the US, offering the kind of durable hardware that cloud solutions can’t replace.
Let’s Talk About the Problems
So what’s the catch with these cloud AI PCs? Well, latency for one. AI features that feel instant on a local NPU might get noticeably sluggish when they have to round-trip to Azure and back. And then there’s the dependency on internet connectivity – if your connection drops, your AI features disappear entirely.
Microsoft’s track record with these “special programs” also makes me skeptical. Remember how many of their AI initiatives have quietly disappeared? The Frontier Program sounds like another limited test that might never see broad availability. And let’s be real – if you’re already paying for Windows 365, how much extra will these AI features cost when they eventually launch for everyone?
This feels like Microsoft trying to have it both ways: pushing expensive new hardware while also offering a cloud alternative. But can they really deliver comparable AI experiences through both approaches? I’m not convinced yet.
