Choosing the right AI computer

When choosing a computer, prioritize hardware that suits your needs, such as a powerful CPU and compatibility with AI software.

This back-to-school season of 2025, the demand for computers (both laptops and PCs) among teachers and students, especially new university students, is high. According to experts, users should choose devices that suit their financial capabilities and meet their current and future work needs.

AI PCs are taking center stage.

AI PCs will only truly enter the global market in 2024, about two years after the first AI application, OpenAI's ChatGPT, was made available to end users in late November 2022.

An AI PC is a personal computer equipped with both hardware (CPU with integrated AI processing chip NPU) and software (an AI-supported operating system, such as Windows with Copilot+, along with AI applications). According to Intel, an AI PC is a personal computer that uses AI to enhance productivity, creativity, gaming, entertainment, and many other areas.

AI PCs are rapidly becoming a global trend as chip and component manufacturers, along with application software developers, accelerate the exploitation of AI technology, combined with the increasing integration of edge AI capabilities into personal devices.

According to market research firm Gartner, AI PCs could account for up to 43% of all PC shipments in 2025, reaching 114 million units. According to Eric Lee, Regional Director for Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos) at ASUS (systems business unit), since the launch of the first Copilot+ PC in 2024, its market share in the consumer segment in Vietnam was initially below 1%.

However, by August 2025, this number had increased by approximately 5%. Within ASUS's consumer product category alone, this percentage was even higher, reaching around 8% of total sales as of August.

Choosing to buy an AI laptop at anFPT Shop store in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to experts, the AI ​​PC market is growing at an unprecedented rate. This is not only due to the "AI craze" but also because of the timing. Specifically, during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the need to switch to remote work, while the market supply was disrupted, many people had to buy any computer they could get their hands on, including leftover stock. Therefore, these devices no longer meet the needs of the job.

Depending on needs and financial capabilities.

Years ago, the laptop market dominated the PC market. For example, in the first quarter of 2024, out of a total of 59.8 million PCs shipped globally, 50.3 million were laptops, while desktop computers accounted for only 16.1 million (a ratio of 3.1:1).

Therefore, AI laptops currently dominate the AI ​​PC market. Gartner forecasts that by 2026, the total number of AI laptops shipped will reach 102.4 million, while only 11.8 million will be AI desktops. Within the enterprise sector, AI laptops will be the sole choice in 2026.

Currently, users have a wide range of choices on the market to find an AI PC that suits their needs and budget. Familiar laptop brands like ASUS, MSI, Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc., are continuously releasing new AI PC models based on Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors. The power of AI laptops is now not significantly different from AI desktops, even those with higher prices. For example, previously, performance could only be achieved on desktop PCs in the 50-70 million VND price range, but now, it can be achieved on laptops with equivalent configurations at around 50 million VND.

Retail systems are also collaborating with manufacturers to offer numerous promotional programs to stimulate demand for AI PCs, primarily AI laptops. For example, the technology retail system FPT Shop launched the "New Bling Peak - Smart AI" program during the 2025 back-to-school season.

This program offers a range of practical benefits specifically for young people, focusing on AI-integrated devices and effective learning support services. In addition to special discounts for teachers and students, FPT Shop also applies a flexible installment payment policy with 0% interest and a 0% down payment option. Many products in the program also have their warranty extended up to 3 years.

Because the market currently offers so many AI PC models, users are often confused when choosing the right product. Experts advise users to anticipate and plan for future needs.

Hardware needs to be prioritized for specific work requirements, focusing on a powerful CPU with dedicated AI cores (NPU), a dedicated graphics card—ideally one with AI support—with 8GB or more of VRAM, and at least 16GB or 32GB of RAM. Storage should be 1TB or more, preferably an SSD. All of this hardware must be compatible with the AI ​​applications the user needs. Of course, it must also be compatible with future generations of Windows 12.

Regarding price, you just need to find a place that offers reasonable prices, as the cost of AI PCs has decreased significantly. Payment options are also flexible to suit all budgets.

In a recent press interview in Ho Chi Minh City, Peter Chang, General Manager of ASUS Asia Pacific (Systems Business Unit), stated: "The AI ​​PC market has grown rapidly over the past year, and this trend is spreading throughout Vietnam. Currently, AI PCs – PCs integrated with NPUs – fall into three categories: mainstream AI, next-generation AI, and advanced AI. Including all three categories, AI PCs currently account for approximately 30% of the total PC market in Vietnam. While some neighboring countries in Southeast Asia have surpassed 50%, the potential for growth in the Vietnamese market is enormous due to the tech-savvy nature of Vietnamese consumers, especially young people."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/chon-mua-may-tinh-ai-phu-hop-1962508232215391.htm