NVIDIA plans to enter the Arm PC chip market, with Lenovo and Dell likely to adopt it first
NVIDIA plans to launch SoC chips based on Arm architecture, targeting the Windows consumer laptop market, which is seen as a challenge to the dominance of x86 architecture. Its N1 and N1X chips feature an integrated design of CPU and GPU, with Lenovo-related products already in internal testing and deployment preparation stages. Dell and other manufacturers are also advancing product planning, which may intensify multi-architecture competition in the PC processor market
NVIDIA is planning to enter the consumer laptop market for Windows by launching system-on-chips (SoCs) based on the Arm architecture. This move is seen as an attempt to break the long-standing monopoly of the x86 architecture in this field and reshape the competitive landscape of PC processors.
According to The Verge on January 26, NVIDIA plans to launch two SoC models—N1 and N1X. These chips are expected to disrupt the traditional "x86 CPU + discrete GPU" configuration by integrating the CPU and GPU into a single SoC design. This strategic shift is viewed as NVIDIA's attempt to emulate Apple's success with custom Arm chips in the Mac ecosystem and potentially challenge the positions of Intel and AMD in the Windows laptop market.
Insiders have revealed to the media that Lenovo and Dell will be among the first manufacturers to adopt this technology. Lenovo has developed six laptops based on NVIDIA's upcoming processors, covering mainstream ultrabooks, 2-in-1 devices, and high-performance gaming laptops, and has established a protected internal testing portal. Meanwhile, Dell is expected to launch Alienware gaming laptops and high-end XPS notebooks equipped with the N1X chip as early as 2026. These developments indicate that NVIDIA's Arm platform has entered a substantive testing and deployment preparation phase.
Market analysis points out that with Apple's lead in the Arm architecture and Qualcomm's advancements in Windows on Arm, NVIDIA's entry will further diversify CPU options for Windows laptops. This could mark the end of an era dominated solely by Intel and AMD x86 processors, as the PC industry accelerates towards a future of coexistence among multiple architectures.
Lenovo Leads Early Adoption, Covering Multiple Product Lines
According to industry sources, Lenovo is in a leading position in the early adoption of NVIDIA's Arm chips. Reports indicate that Lenovo has developed six laptops based on the N1 and N1X processors, with a wide product lineup. This includes the 14-inch and 16-inch IdeaPad Slim 5, two variants of the 15-inch Yoga Pro 7, and a convertible Yoga 9 2-in-1 device.
Notably, there is a 15-inch gaming laptop marked as "Legion 7 15N1X11." TechNews points out that this indicates NVIDIA is not limited to the ultrabook market but has broader ambitions to push the N1X into the high-performance consumer market. Additionally, the "Nvidia N1X Portal" established by Lenovo further confirms that the platform has entered the internal testing phase.
Performance Comparable to High-End Desktop, Dell Follows Closely
Although the complete specifications of the N1 and N1X have not been officially disclosed, recent leaked data from Geekbench provides performance references. The data suggests that the N1X may feature up to 20 CPU cores, with its GPU's CUDA core count comparable to that of the desktop-level RTX 5070. While not officially confirmed, the industry generally believes that this architecture is highly similar to the GB10 Superchip used by NVIDIA for the DGX Spark mini AI computer **
In addition to Lenovo, Dell is also an important participant in this new ecosystem. According to media reports, Dell is preparing to launch Alienware gaming laptops equipped with NVIDIA's N1X chip, with the earliest possible release date set for 2026. At the same time, Dell's high-end product line XPS (formerly Dell Premium) will also incorporate this chip. Along with Lenovo's products, the number of NVIDIA-powered laptops currently in development has reached at least eight.
Ending the x86 Monopoly, Moving Towards a Multi-Architecture Future
NVIDIA is not a newcomer in the consumer technology space with Arm architecture. The report points out that every Nintendo Switch runs on NVIDIA's Tegra chip, which has also been used in the original Microsoft Surface RT, as well as in the Shield handheld console and Shield TV box developed in collaboration with MediaTek. The move into the PC chip market has long been anticipated by the industry.
TechNews emphasizes that as Apple leads the Mac ecosystem with its custom Arm chips, Qualcomm gradually gains market share in the Windows on Arm space, and rumors suggest that AMD is also exploring Arm processor options, NVIDIA's actions highlight the increasing diversification of CPU choices for Windows laptops. This shift could break the long-standing dominance of Intel and AMD's x86 processors, ushering in a new era of multi-architecture competition
