AI Concepts for MWC: Lenovo packs discrete NPU into monitor and USB stick 20 comments
What to do if the PC does not yet have NPU for AI tasks? It is connected to a monitor with its own NPU, so another concept from Lenovo at MWC 2025. The dedicated NPU (DNPU) also packs Lenovo into a USB stick (Stick AI) and onto an M.2 module for notebooks.
The NPU in the abbreviation stands for neural processing unit and describes a computing unit for accelerating AI applications, which is therefore also called an AI accelerator or deep learning processor. In addition to classic CPU cores, modern PC processors are already equipped with an integrated NPU.
The AI display with a discrete NPU
However, there are also independent NPUs to put an AI accelerator aside. Lenovo does this with a monitor in its “AI Display” concept. According to Lenovo, the discrete NPU is intended to expand the capabilities of the monitor on the one hand and, on the other hand, to enable PCs without NPU to use important speech models (LLM) for AI. The AI capability has been demonstrated with the Lenovo AI NOW app. However, the monitor’s operating noise was unsightly, as the DNPU needs a fan for cooling.
With AI display with integrated NPU, non-AI PCs can use large language models, receive commands from the user, analyze and recognize intent, and allow the assistant to carry out the request. The AI display with integrated NPU continues to adapt to user movements by rotating the screen, lifting and optimizing the perspective.
Lenovo to AI display with NPU
The DNPU is also available in the notebook
Details about the NPU have not been revealed. However, it should reach a computing power of 32 peaks and have 8 GB of its own memory. Everything is on an M.2 module, like Lenovo also uses with DNPU on the ThinkPad 16p Gen 6.
The Thinkbook 16P Gen 6 is expected to be available later this year and is expected to start at €2,999 plus VAT. The AI display, on the other hand, is always a “proof of concept”, i.e. a feasibility study. It therefore remains to be seen whether the monitor with NPU will reach the market at some point.
Ai Stick for USB port
The AI Stick offers an easy way to upgrade a PC without an NPU with such. Here, the discreet NPU is packaged in a USB stick and is simply inserted into the USB-C or Thunderbolt socket of a desktop PC or laptop.
Lenovo’s “AI Stick” (Image: Lenovo) Image 1 of 6
Here too, Lenovo is talking about 32 vertices and it is very likely that the same NPU technology will be used as with the other concepts. Full performance is only available with its own power supply.
The Lenovo AI Stick is a proof-of-concept that allows users on a non-NPU-equipped PC to access advanced AI functions such as local large language models (LLM) and AI-based graphics applications. The Lenovo AI Stick contains a 32 Tops NPU, which is connected to a PC via a USB-C-Thunderbolt connection so that the PC can use the Lenovo AI now 11 features. It can also be connected to an outlet to develop the maximum performance for demanding AI tasks.
Lenovo AI Stick with NPU
Topics: Displays artificial intelligence Lenovo Monitore MWC 2025 Notes USB Sticks
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