Microsoft has announced that it will need at least 16 GB of RAM for PCs that want to run its AI-enabled features, such as Windows Hello, Cortana and Windows Ink. The company says these features require more memory to process complex data and deliver a smooth user experience.
In a blog post, Microsoft explained that AI-enabled features are becoming more popular and powerful, and need more resources to run efficiently. The company said that 16 GB of RAM is the minimum baseline for PCs that want to take advantage of these features, and that users with less than that may experience performance issues or bugs.
Microsoft also said that users who want to run multiple AI-enabled functions at the same time, or who want to use them with other demanding applications, may need even more RAM. The company suggested that users who need more memory should consider upgrading their PCs or buying new ones that meet the requirements.
Microsoft’s announcement comes as the PC market is experiencing a shift toward more AI-based capabilities and experiences. According to an IDC report, the worldwide PC market grew 13.2% in 2020, driven by demand for remote work and education. The report also says the PC market will continue to grow in 2021, as consumers and businesses look for devices that can handle AI tasks and offer greater security and productivity.
Microsoft is not the only company pushing for more AI-capable PCs. Intel, AMD and Nvidia have also been developing processors and graphics cards that can support AI workloads and improve PC performance. These companies have also partnered with PC manufacturers to offer devices optimized for AI features and applications.
AI-enabled PCs are expected to become more common and affordable in the future as technology improves and costs decrease. For now, however, users who want to enjoy the benefits of AI on their PCs may have to pay a premium price or upgrade their existing devices.
One of the best ways to improve the performance of your desktop or laptop PC is to upgrade the RAM. RAM, or random access memory, is the temporary storage space where your computer stores the data it needs to run programs and applications. The more RAM you have, the more programs you can run at the same time without slowing down your system.
Fortunately, RAM is one of the easiest components to upgrade on many desktop and some laptop computers, as long as the memory is not soldered to the motherboard. If you have a standard desktop or laptop computer with DDR4/DDR5 or SODIMM DIMMs, swapping out the memory for higher capacity modules is about as easy as replacing the batteries in your TV remote control.
You also don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money when buying new RAM. Memory prices are currently very low and affordable for most consumers. You can get a 16GB DDR4 memory kit for as low as $35, which is enough for most everyday tasks and games. If you want to future-proof your system, you can opt for DDR5 memory, which is faster and more energy efficient than DDR4. A 16GB kit of DDR5 memory costs as little as $50, which is a great deal considering that DDR5 is still relatively new and in short supply.
If you have a laptop, you may have to pay a little more for DDR4/DDR5 SODIMMs, which are smaller and thinner than desktop DIMMs. However, they are still very affordable compared to memory prices of a few years ago. You can find a 16GB DDR4 SODIMM kit for around $40 and a 16GB DDR5 SODIMM kit for around $60.
Upgrading your RAM is not only easy and inexpensive, but also very beneficial to your system. You’ll notice faster boot times, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance and longer battery life. If you want to learn how to upgrade your RAM yourself, check out our detailed guide below.
