Nvidia is set to power a Windows PC for the first time, moving beyond graphics cards to produce the central processor.
The first Windows PCs built on Nvidia's chips will debut the first week of June. Devices from Microsoft's Surface line, along with models from Dell and other manufacturers, are expected. The launch coincides with Computex in Taiwan and Microsoft's Build conference in San Francisco.
These machines run on Nvidia’s Arm-based N1 and N1X system-on-chips. These are purpose-built CPUs designed for on-device AI workloads.
Nvidia has reportedly been developing Windows-compatible Arm CPUs since October 2023. The launch is coordinated with Microsoft, Asus, and Arm.
Apple started the industry shift to Arm architecture with its M-series chips. Qualcomm followed with Snapdragon for Windows. Now Nvidia enters with strong AI capabilities.
The move also supports Microsoft's AI strategy, after challenges with its Copilot+ initiative. On-device AI hardware could give Microsoft a better story for developers and consumers.
For investors, this opens a new revenue stream for Nvidia, betting AI will become central to everyday computing. Dell and Asus's participation suggests broad distribution ambitions. Software compatibility remains a risk, as Arm-based Windows PCs have historically struggled with app support.