According to a recent report from Reuters, MediaTek is set to enter the AI PC laptop market with its own AI chips, following in the footsteps of Qualcomm. While Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon X series of chips for Windows PCs last year, it remains uncertain if MediaTek's AI PCs will fall under the same category as Qualcomm's Copilot+ PCs.

The MediaTek AI PC chips are expected to be officially unveiled "late next year" and will be based on ARM's pre-existing designs. This approach will enable MediaTek to expedite the design, development, and testing process. As these chips are being referred to as "chips," it is likely that they will incorporate a neural processing unit (NPU) to provide on-device AI capabilities. During Computex 2024, MediaTek showcased its flagship mobile chip, the Dimensity 9300+, which was already on par with the performance of Copilot+ PC chips. The company also hinted at the upcoming announcement of the next-generation Dimensity 9400 within the next few months. At the same event, Intel and AMD introduced their AI PC chips based on x86 architecture. In contrast, MediaTek's upcoming AI PC chips, like Qualcomm's, will utilize a more power-efficient instruction set compared to traditional x86 architecture. Additionally, AMD and NVIDIA are reportedly working on ARM chips for Windows laptops, expected to make their debut soon. Qualcomm's exclusive deal with Microsoft as the sole supplier of ARM-based AI chips for Windows PCs, which dates back to 2016, is reportedly nearing its expiration. This opens up opportunities for brands like MediaTek and AMD to enter the market. While Qualcomm has faced challenges with ARM chips for Windows PCs in the past, the company claims that its Snapdragon X series offers superior performance compared to Apple Silicon and similarly priced Windows laptops.