Windows 12 could be another costly upgrade for supporters of Microsoft operating systems. A new report reveals that the AI-dominated OS will require AMD and Intel CPUs with a dedicated NPU. Possibly surfacing in late 2026, the follow-up to Windows 11 may also rely on subscriptions.
CPU NPU requirements will mean longer support necessity for Windows 11.
If they go ahead with subscriptions, demand will certainly add additional demand for that. But I guess subscriptions would be to cover copilot cost. Given Microsoft’s interest in people upgrading to eventually reduce support surface, I have to assume it will be optional, for AI features. Following that reasoning, the NPU requirement may be optional too, only applicable to the AI features block.
But who knows, the whole thing is not driven by reasonable business decisions anyway.
Also, I had no idea there was a “gaming copilot”. Even after following links to the introduction news, I don’t get what it really does.
The idea that markets are driven by rational decision processes is the biggest con they teach in econ 101.