AI-PCs and AR-PCs represent the future of personal computing, with AI-PCs offering enhanced offline capabilities and AR-PCs providing unparalleled portability through augmented reality. #AIPC #ARPC #FutureComputing
Table of Contents
I.AI-PC vs. AR-PC
Recently, two innovative products have emerged: the AI-PC and the AR-PC. Each holds significant potential on its own, but examining them together presents a more intriguing picture. It’s unclear whether they will converge into a unified technology or compete fiercely for dominance.
In my view, over the next 3-5 years, AI-PCs will likely mark the next evolution in the PC market. However, looking further ahead, over 5-10 years, AR-PCs may become the standard, potentially replacing traditional hardware PCs. As chips become smaller and more intelligent, AI-PC capabilities could eventually be integrated into smart glasses or even contact lenses, making AR-PCs the future form of personal computing.
II.What is AI-PC?
AI-PC is essentially your super offline brain. Unlike ordinary PCs, AI-PCs can handle personalized AI tasks offline, such as generating music, summarizing documents, and making travel plans. They also provide more proactive assistance, like sending meeting minutes and reminder emails after a meeting, and intelligently optimizing hardware and battery life based on personal usage habits.

Technically, an AI-PC is a personal computer equipped with a chipset or module specifically designed for AI acceleration, enabling it to run AI service functions locally. According to Canalys, 19% of PCs shipped this year will have AI capabilities, a figure expected to rise to 60% by 2027. Apple is also making strides with its AI-MAC, featuring the AI-enhanced M4 chip, and is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with OpenAI. This suggests that AI-MACs could be launched later this year, and with the proliferation of AI chips, AI-enabled smartphones (AI-Phones) are likely to become a new trend.
III. What is AR-PC?
The Spacetop G1, launched by Israeli startup Sightful, is the world’s first AR laptop. Unlike traditional PCs, it lacks a physical display and instead uses wired AR glasses as the screen.

With these glasses, users can access a 100-inch multi-virtual screen anytime, anywhere. Priced at $1,900, the Spacetop G1 is currently available for pre-order and is expected to ship in October.

IV. Some Thoughts
Compared to Apple’s Vision Pro, AR-PC glasses are smaller and retain a familiar physical keyboard for input. If the Spacetop’s keyboard could be as compact as a mobile phone, it would likely appeal to more mobile professionals.
From a user experience perspective, AI-PCs offer smarter, more powerful computing with traditional hardware, while AR-PCs provide enhanced portability. As AI-PCs become more compact and AR-PCs integrate more AI capabilities, we are moving closer to the reality of smart contact lenses, much like those envisioned in “Black Mirror.”

Extended Readings
[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/i-tried-an-ar-laptop-way-ahead-of-its-time/
[2] https://www.wired.com/story/sightful-spacetop-g1-augmented-reality-laptop/
[3] https://www.axios.com/2024/05/17/ai-pc-computers-microsoft-apple