Desktop Availability of Copilot Plus Significantly Expands Its Reach
In the second half of 2025, Intel is set to launch its Arrow Lake Refresh desktop CPUs, marking a significant step towards more integrated and powerful AI experiences directly on the device. The refresh, which is likely to occur before the year-end, will primarily focus on improving AI capabilities and bringing Copilot+ AI readiness to Arrow Lake desktop processors [1][2][3].
The Arrow Lake Refresh will maintain the same core architecture as the original model, with Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores remaining unchanged. However, Intel has made slight improvements to the silicon binning and refinements on the Intel 20A process, resulting in slightly higher clock speeds [2]. The CPUs will continue to use the LGA1851 socket and 800-series chipsets, ensuring compatibility with existing motherboards and extending the current platform's life for one more generation before being replaced by Nova Lake next year [1][2].
A key upgrade in the Arrow Lake Refresh is the introduction of a more powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) 4, replacing the NPU 3 found in the original Arrow Lake processors [1][3]. This upgraded NPU is designed to meet the minimum 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) performance threshold necessary for Intel to certify these processors as AI PC ready and compatible with Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI capabilities on desktop PCs [1][2][3]. The NPU 4 is the same accelerator used in Lunar Lake CPUs that currently support Copilot+, enabling enhanced AI performance and allowing for more advanced AI features natively on the desktop CPU.
The new Intel Arrow Lake chips are expected to close the gap between laptop and desktop PCs in terms of AI capabilities. The gaming community hasn't been impressed with the original Arrow Lake release, and the refreshed chips could struggle to keep pace with Intel's own previous-gen Raptor Lake chips, even after BIOS updates. However, if you're planning a desktop upgrade later this year and want Copilot Plus features, this could be your chance [4].
The advent of "Copilot+ PCs" marks a significant step towards more deeply integrated and powerful AI experiences directly on the device. Early signs suggest gaming performance will remain similar to the current Core Ultra 200 series, trailing AMD's top-tier Ryzen 9800X3D and 9950X3D chips. The update does not add more CPU or GPU cores, but the improved NPU 4 should provide a noticeable boost in AI performance [5].
Microsoft's Copilot Plus AI features are expected to be available on desktop PCs later this year. The new Intel chips signify that AI is no longer just a laptop story, and desktops are joining the conversation. The refreshed Arrow Lake chips from Intel, if released, would make Copilot Plus available on traditional desktop towers for the first time [6].
References: [1] ZDNet Korea [2] Tom's Hardware [3] WCCFTech [4] PC Gamer [5] AnandTech [6] TechRadar
The introduction of a more powerful NPU 4 in the Arrow Lake Refresh makes the new Intel chips AI PC ready, meeting the 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) performance threshold for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI capabilities on desktop PCs. This upgrade signifies that AI is no longer just a laptop story, and desktops are now joining the conversation.
