Every laptop brand now calls its newest models "AI PCs". The label is real, but it is often oversold. Here is what it means in practice, so you can decide whether to pay for it.
The short answer
An AI PC has a third processor, called an NPU (neural processing unit), alongside the usual CPU and graphics. The NPU runs AI tasks such as background blur, noise cancellation and live captions using very little power, so the battery lasts longer and the fan stays quiet during long video calls.
It does not make ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot in your browser faster. Those run in the cloud, not on your laptop.
What an NPU does today
- Video calls: background blur, eye contact and auto-framing on Teams, Zoom and Meet without slowing the laptop down.
- Audio: removes fan, traffic and keyboard noise from your microphone.
- Battery: moves these always-on jobs off the CPU, which is the biggest everyday gain.
- Apps that support it: a growing list of editing, transcription and security tools use the NPU when one is present.
What the numbers mean
NPU power is measured in TOPS (trillions of operations per second). Microsoft's "Copilot+ PC" label needs 40 TOPS or more on the NPU alone. Most business laptops from 2024 and 2025, including Intel Core Ultra 200U models, have NPUs around 12 TOPS: enough for the video and audio features above, but not for the Copilot+ extras like Recall.
That is an honest trade-off, and for most office, accounts and field-sales work it is the right one.
An example: the Dell Pro 16 Plus
The Dell Pro 16 Plus we just listed uses the Intel Core Ultra 5 235U: 12 cores, boost up to 4.9 GHz, a 12 TOPS NPU and Intel vPro for IT-managed fleets. With 16GB DDR5 memory, a 512GB SSD and a 16-inch touchscreen, it is a current-generation business laptop at ₹72,500, with a 6-month Reboot warranty and GST invoice.
Do you need one?
- Yes, if you spend hours on video calls, work on battery away from a desk, or your company manages laptops centrally (vPro).
- Not yet, if your day is Tally, Excel, browser and email. A Core i5 or i7 from the last few generations, or a Ryzen Pro laptop, does that comfortably for a fraction of the price. See our Ryzen Pro HP laptops from ₹29,500.
Why buy it refurbished
Business laptops are built for three to five years of daily use. Buying one after its first corporate cycle gets you the same machine for much less, and keeps a working device out of e-waste. Every Reboot laptop goes through our 16-point check and comes with a genuine Windows licence, a 6-month warranty, free delivery across India and a 14-day return window. Reboot has been refurbishing business devices since 2012.
Browse all certified refurbished laptops →
Spec source: Notebookcheck, Intel Core Ultra 5 235U.