Everyone’s talking about Ai and the amazing things it lets you do. it can really ‘wow’ you with its creative tools, smarter-than-ever assistance, and lots more. And it’s already on loads of Ai laptops. If you’re looking to upgrade to a new machine, Ai is definitely worth thinking about.
In this article, we'll guide you through choosing an Ai-powered laptop that’s right for you. We’ll talk you through the features to look out for, name the big brands doing great things with Ai, and we’ll also give you some tips to get the most out of your new Ai laptop. Plus, we’ll also dip our toes into the world of machine learning. So, let’s say hi to Ai…
Why choose an Ai laptop?
Ai laptops have lots of powerful features to make your life easier, smarter, and more productive. They come with specialised hardware and software designed to support Ai applications, taking your work, play, and day-to-day to a whole new level.
Whether you're a student, a creative pro or a complete beginner, choosing the right Ai-powered laptop will help you out in so many ways. A lot of the time, the only limit is your imagination!
Top benefits of Ai laptops
Here are just a few of the great things to expect from a new Ai laptop.
Smarter working. Ai laptops use machine learning to analyse how you use your computer, and then optimise your processes to help you do things more efficiently. For example, the latest Window CoPilot+ PCs have Ai-powered tools that help you with tasks like summarising documents, composing emails, and even managing your calendar.
Incredible creativity. For artists, designers, and content creators, Ai is a game-changer. Tools like CoCreator on CoPilot+ PCs and laptops give anyone the power to create proper masterpieces - just describe or draw what you want using text or images, and Cocreator generates it before your eyes. Plus, some Adobe photo and video editing software uses Ai to help you automate the most tedious and time-consuming tasks.
Next level performance. Ai uses advanced algorithms to manage your laptop system’s resources. CPU and GPU power is allocated where it’s needed most, which helps everything perform smoothly, whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or getting creative.
Improved security. Ai-powered security features can detect unusual patterns in your laptop’s usage to prevent unauthorised access or malware attacks. Facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and even behavioural analysis are all used to make your security as tight as possible.
Super personalisation. Imagine your laptop not just remembering your last opened document, but also predicting what you might need next. Ai laptops can learn from your habits and personalise your experience over time - whether it's suggesting apps or optimising battery life.
Choosing between MacBooks and Windows laptops for Ai
Are you unsure whether to go for a MacBook or Windows laptop? When it comes to Ai, both have their strengths…
Apple MacBooks are known for their intuitive user interface and incredible performance, thanks to Apple's M3 chip providing all the power needed for Ai workloads. With Ai tools built into the mac OS and apps, creatives and other professionals can work faster and smarter – on anything from designing artwork to making music. Apple Intelligence is coming to the UK in December, giving you access to loads of cool features like voice command integration - turning your MacBook into the ultimate hands-free assistant.
Windows laptops are more famous for their customisation and flexibility, and you’ll have a huge variety of software and Ai tools to choose from. You’ll love the Ai features on Copilot+ laptops, such as Live Captions - this turns the audio that passes through your PC into English subtitles, in real time. Windows laptops also have strong support for gaming and VR if that’s your thing. And there are lots of great budget-friendly Windows Ai laptops available.
Budget Ai laptops for beginners
Not everyone needs a high-end machine with super advanced Ai programs. If you just want to enjoy some Ai benefits in everyday tasks, a budget-friendly option like the HP Pavilion SE 14 laptop might be best for you.
This laptop is great value for money. Its powerful Intel Core i5 processor and 512 GB SSD means you get lots of processing power and speed. Ai-powered features include intelligent noise cancellation for meetings, and a smoother keyboard experience with Ai-based touch improvements. Plus, it’s light and portable – ideal for students who’ll be carrying it between classes.
High-end Ai laptops for professionals
If you’re a professional designer or someone who deals with heavy-duty Ai tasks - such as 3D rendering or in-depth data analysis - you'll need a laptop that can keep up with your demands. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is a great shout.
This powerhouse of a MacBook features Apple's cutting-edge M3 chip, designed to handle the most advanced Ai applications. It also has Apple Intelligence onboard, to help you write, express yourself and get things done effortlessly. Apple is taking security seriously on its Ai devices, and has gone as far as making the code on its servers available for inspection by independent experts. This is a whole new level of Ai privacy.
Cloud computing vs local processing for Ai tasks
One important factor to consider when choosing an Ai laptop is how your device handles computing power. Ai tasks need a lot of processing power, and there are two main ways to manage this: cloud computing or local processing.
Cloud computing lets your laptop offload intensive tasks to a remote server. This is a great if you don’t want to invest in an expensive laptop with professional specifications. You’ll just need to make sure that you’ve got a stable internet connection, and that you’re aware of the costs involved with your cloud service.
Local processing means that your laptop’s own hardware handles everything. This is ideal for professionals who need quick results, or work in environments with limited internet access. High-end laptops like the MacBook Pro 14 or gaming PCs equipped with the most powerful processors are perfect for local Ai processing, because they’ve got all it takes to handle heavy workloads.
Top laptop brands for Ai
When it comes to choosing an Ai laptop, it’s important to go with a brand you trust. Some top brands known for their Ai capabilities include:
Apple MacBooks. With their powerful M3 chips, Apple’s MacBooks are a favourite for Ai-based creative work.
Acer. On some new Acer laptops you’ll be able to launch and discover Ai-enhanced features, like Acer PurifiedVoice 2.0 and Purified View, all with a touch of the dedicated AcerSense button.
Asus. Asus Ai laptops like the ZenBook and Vivobook feature powerful Ai tools for everyday tasks, such as the Asus AiSense camera with presence-detection.
HP. New OmniBooks include long-lasting battery life and Ai-powered productivity tools, such as real-time transcription and meeting summaries.
Microsoft. New Surface Pro laptops have more speed and battery life to power all-new Ai experiences. Ai-enhanced cameras auto-adjust for the perfect frame, and Ai noise-cancelling is also onboard.
For more info on the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs and Laptops ever: Meet the new Ai-powered CoPilot+ PCs
What is machine learning?
You might be wondering how machine learning fit into all of this. Basically, machine learning is a powerful tool that sits within Ai’s box of tricks – offering more specialised and data-driven benefits. Think of it as teaching your laptop to recognise patterns and improve over time, without programming it to learn every single task. For instance, a machine learning laptop could help a developer train a model to predict stock prices.
How to get the best out of an Ai laptop
The great thing about using an Ai laptop is that it takes care of all the complicated stuff for you. All you need to do is tell it what you want (and sometimes, you won’t even have to ask). But at the same time, there are a few ways to make sure you’re getting the most out of it:
Keep software up to date. A lot of Ai features will improve over time, so make sure you’ve got the latest updates.
Use Ai apps. Explore Ai-powered apps like Microsoft’s Copilot or Adobe's Sensei to make life easier and organise your work better.
Optimise battery life. A lot of Ai laptops come with settings that can extend battery life based on your usage patterns. Enable these to make your laptop last longer.
Need more help?
If you still need help choosing the perfect laptop, our laptop buying guide is a great place to start. If you prefer more of an interactive experience, have a play with our tech matchmaker. It’s a fun tool designed to help you find your next Windows laptop.
And don’t forget, you can always pop in-store and chat to one of our expert colleagues. They’ll happily answer all your laptop and tech-related questions.
