The PC is no longer just a productivity machine—it’s becoming an intelligent partner. With Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative, Windows 11 now taps into the dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) inside Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI processors. These chips are designed to handle trillions of AI operations per second, enabling features that were once cloud-only to run locally, faster, and more securely.
Here’s what South African users need to know—and how to get the most out of their AI-powered PCs.
Everyday AI Features That Matter
Live Captions & Translation Windows 11 can now generate real-time captions for any audio or video, even offline. With Intel Ultra and Ryzen AI processors, it goes further—translating across 40+ languages instantly. For students, professionals, or anyone consuming global content, this is a game-changer.
Cocreator in Paint Sketch a rough idea, and AI transforms it into a polished image. Powered by the NPU, this happens locally, so you don’t need an internet connection. It’s perfect for content creators, marketers, or students working on visual projects.
Studio Effects in Video Calls Background blur, eye contact correction, and noise suppression are all handled by the NPU, freeing up CPU/GPU resources. This means smoother Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet calls—even during load-shedding when you’re running on battery.
Recall (Timeline Search) One of the most futuristic features: Recall lets you search your PC history like a photographic memory. Type a phrase, and Windows shows you the exact document, email, or webpage you saw. With NPUs, this indexing runs efficiently in the background without draining performance.
Performance & Battery Gains
NPUs aren’t just about flashy features—they also offload AI tasks from the CPU and GPU, which means:
- Longer battery life on ultrabooks.
- Cooler, quieter operation during heavy multitasking.
- Consistent performance even with multiple apps and browser tabs open.
For South African users juggling hybrid work, this means fewer compromises between performance and endurance.
Tips & Tricks to Maximise Your AI PC
1. Enable Studio Effects in Settings Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Camera to toggle AI-powered video call enhancements. Great for professionals who live on Teams or Zoom.
2. Use Copilot for Contextual Help Press Win + C to summon Copilot. Ask it to summarise a PDF, draft an email, or even generate Excel formulas—it uses local AI acceleration for faster responses.
3. Optimise Battery with AI Under Settings > System > Power & Battery, enable Battery Saver with AI optimisations. The NPU learns your usage patterns and adjusts background processes intelligently.
4. Try AI-Powered Creativity Apps Apps like Adobe Photoshop (Generative Fill) and DaVinci Resolve (AI editing) are now optimised for NPUs. This means faster rendering and editing without hammering your GPU.
5. Explore Recall for Research If you’re a journalist, student, or analyst, Recall is your secret weapon. Use it to instantly resurface past research, articles, or presentations without endless folder digging.
The Bottom Line
Windows 11 AI PCs powered by Intel Ultra and Ryzen AI processors aren’t just faster—they’re smarter. From real-time translation to creative tools and battery optimisation, the NPU unlocks features that make everyday computing more fluid, personal, and future-ready.
For South African users navigating hybrid work, study, and side hustles, these AI PCs are more than an upgrade—they’re a productivity multiplier.
Look out for our upcoming review of Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7 soon, which is an Intel Core Ultra 7 powered Copilot+ PC.
