Device Refresh How-to Guide: Get Ready for AI-Enabled Devices
Unlock AI opportunities with Intel® Core™ and CDW
CDW can help you start taking advantage of Intel’s most advanced mobile processor, Intel® Core™ Ultra — delivering the world’s best AI experience on a laptop.
Refresh Cycles Are Shorter than Ever
Device refresh cycles traditionally spanned four to five years, but emerging trends like AI and hybrid work environments necessitate more frequent upgrades. Faster processors, better cameras, innovative displays and more mean there’s always room for improvement.
Waiting too long can leave your organization at a competitive disadvantage — falling behind the pace of innovation, slowing productivity and causing operational inefficiencies. In fact, 94% of respondents said adopting a two-year refresh cycle improved employee productivity.1
In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, a two- or three-year device refresh cycle offers several advantages over the longer traditional approach. Cutting-edge hardware tackles AI performance demands, the latest security keeps data safe, faster processors boost productivity and new devices run the newest software without a hitch.
Timing Is Everything
For businesses, this rapid refresh cycle presents both opportunities and challenges. Careful consideration is essential. Businesses need to evaluate the need for the latest devices and weigh the benefits against the costs. Some key questions to consider include:
- Is your organization generating more end-user complaints or help desk tickets?
- Can your current fleet meet the performance demands of new AI-powered applications?
- Are you experiencing a rise in endpoint security alerts?
- Are your users experiencing higher levels of downtime?
- How much effort is expended supporting and maintaining device fleets?
While it might seem tempting to delay and wait for potential “better choices” in the future, there are compelling reasons to consider upgrading now, especially with advanced devices like AI PCs.
What is an AI PC?
AI PCs use artificial intelligence technologies to elevate productivity, creativity, gaming, entertainment, security and more. These systems take advantage of processors with integrated CPU, NPU and GPU accelerators that are designed to address the new demands of AI:
CPU (central processing unit) = Fast response.
You can rely on the central processor for smaller workloads at low latency.
NPU (neural processing unit) = Power efficiency.
The neural processing unit handles sustained, heavily used AI workloads at low power for greater efficiency.
GPU (graphics processing unit) = High throughput.
The graphics processing unit is ideal for large workloads that require parallel throughput.
AI PCs with new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors are ushering in a new era of business computing. They power enhanced AI experiences, immersive graphics, advanced security, and optimal balance of battery life and performance.
What are Intel® Core™ Ultra processors?
Intel® Core™ Ultra processors are a groundbreaking advancement in Intel chip innovation. As the world’s fastest ultra-thin processors — featuring an all-new 3D performance hybrid design — they include NPUs and may also include an Intel® Arc GPU 6 for graphics and AI acceleration.
Compared to other Intel processors, they’re ideal for everyday performance and AI computing:
Source: Intel Processor Names and Numbers Guide
HOW TO PREPARE DEVICES FOR THE AI ERA
Step Up to Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors
Enhance Performance with Built-In AI Optimizations
With Intel® Core™ Ultra, your business and end users can enjoy exciting new AI capabilities such as video editing, collaboration and game upscaling — all while conserving power thanks to AI optimizations and built-in AI accelerators.
UP TO
69%
faster web browsing performance2
3D performance hybrid architecture integrates powerful performance cores and flexible efficient cores to ensure the right power for any workload.
Intel® Thread Director analyzes data in real time and adjusts to optimize device performance.
Intel® AI Boost is a dedicated AI engine that maintains an optimal balance of power and performance.
Intel® Deep Learning Boost brings accelerated performance to demanding workloads without needing a discrete add-on accelerator.
Intel® Arc Graphics empower immersive content creation and enhance the performance of AI processing workloads.
Intel® Dynamic Power Share automatically and dynamically distributes power between CPU and GPU processing engines depending on usage.
Enable a PC Fleet with Work-from-Anywhere Stamina and Speed
Intel® Core™ Ultra is also engineered specifically for on-the-go users. New AI-enhanced features focus on power efficiency to keep work going anywhere, for as long as possible — plugged into a power source or not.
UP TO
40%
less power used for AI-enhanced collaboration2
These features include:
Intel® Unison seamlessly connects peripheral devices to the PC and lets users manage phone notifications on their computers.
Intel® Gaussian and Neural Accelerator 3.5 streamlines speech and noise cancellation in meetings.
Thunderbolt™ 4 Technology powers faster device charging.
Intel® Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) and discrete Wi-Fi 7 (5 Gig) improve network speeds and capacity.
Picking a Processor
Determining which processor is right for your end users depends on their needs and workflow. The Intel® Core™ Ultra processor family includes a range of options: the Intel® Core™ Ultra 9, Intel® Core™ Ultra 7, and Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processors. The varying brand numbers reflect different capability strengths.
Regardless of which Intel® Core™ Ultra processor you choose, you’ll experience immediate productivity benefits, empower users with cutting-edge AI capabilities, and gain a strategic window to monitor and adapt to the evolving landscape of AI technologies.
Source: Intel Processor Names and Numbers Guide
Expand Your Organization’s Security at Every Level
Devices powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra processors are built on the Intel vPro® platform, helping protect users and data with a comprehensive suite of security technologies that expand coverage up and down the computing stack and reduce the attack surface.
Intel vPro® is the only business platform with built-in hardware security capable of detecting ransomware and supply chain attacks — a worthy investment considering that more than 8 in 10 organizations experience ransomware attacks.3
AI-powered security capabilities also help detect cryptojacking and other evolving cyberthreats before they even happen, and at every level. Intel® Threat Detection Technology (Intel TDT) delivers cyberattack monitoring and increased security performance at the hardware level, while Intel® Hardware Shield includes advanced threat protections, application and data protections, and below-the-OS security.
UP TO
93%
of top ransomware attacks were detected by Intel TDT while competitor systems found none2
Shop Devices with Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors
Migrate to Windows 11 with Ease
The release of Windows 11 (and the forthcoming Windows 24H2 release for exclusive AI features) makes timing optimal for a device refresh.
Upgrading to the latest operating system ensures enhanced security features, improved user experiences, and compatibility with the latest applications and technologies. This transition is not just about staying current, it’s about preparing your organization for the future digital landscape.
Intel® Core™ Ultra processors and the Intel vPro® platform are optimized for Windows 11. Whether you’re just beginning your migration, looking for deployment support, managing a remote refresh or retiring old devices, CDW can help you refresh your fleet with the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra devices running Windows 11 Pro.
Migrate to Windows 11
With a Readiness Assessment for Windows 11, receive a detailed report on your environment’s readiness for Windows 11 along with recommendations for next steps.
Gain deployment support
After a new device is properly configured, our Configuration and Technology Deployment Services test the devices and ensure everything is working as it should before it ships.
Manage a remote refresh
Autopilot Remote Configuration and Active Management Technology Services ensure new devices are ready right out of the box for your remote employees or those working in different office locations.
Retire old devices
Receive expert support managing end-of-product lifecycles and safely, securely and cost-effectively dispose of your old equipment with IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Services.
GET STARTED TODAY
Ready to unlock your AI opportunities?
The AI era will place new demands on your fleet. CDW can help you get ahead no matter your business size, device type or budget.
A CDW Intel expert will work with you to understand where you are in your device refresh and AI journeys. We’ll build a plan that works for your unique needs — from configuration and deployment to full lifecycle management — and design, orchestrate and manage solutions that enable your team to do great work.
Ways to reach us:
Complete the form and an expert will reach out to you soon
Or give us a call at 800.800.4239