Windows 12 arrives in 2025 and your PC could become obsolete.

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 12 for Q3 2025. The new version focuses on AI, but it comes with a caveat: its demanding hardware requirements, including an AI chip, could force you to buy a new PC.

Microsoft has confirmed the next major leap forward for its operating system: Windows 12 will be officially released in the third quarter of 2025. This new version promises a revolution centered on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a revamped interface, and significant improvements in security and performance. However, the announcement comes with growing concern: the hardware requirements could be so high that millions of current, even relatively modern, computers could be left out.

The AI ​​revolution and its demands

At the heart of Windows 12 is its deep integration with AI. Unlike the AI ​​features seen so far, Microsoft plans for AI to be a fundamental part of the system, powering everything from advanced searches and a superior Copilot to real-time video and game upscaling.

However, this ambition comes at a cost. Many of these new features will require specialized hardware, specifically a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a type of chip designed to accelerate AI tasks. This means that to realize the full potential of Windows 12, a powerful processor won't be enough; you'll need a PC with a built-in NPU, something only the latest models are beginning to include.

Hardware Requirements: Microsoft's New Filter

History seems to be repeating itself. The controversial introduction of the TPM 2.0 chip requirement for Windows 11, which left many perfectly functional computers unable to officially upgrade, was a harbinger of this new strategy. With Windows 12, the estimated minimum requirements point to an even greater jump:

* RAM: The minimum is expected to increase from 4GB to 8GB, although some analyses suggest that 16GB will be needed for a smooth experience.

* Processor: A 64-bit processor of at least 1 GHz will be required, but the unofficial key will be the presence of the aforementioned NPU.

* Storage: Minimum of 64 GB on a solid-state drive (SSD).

These requirements, especially the NPU requirement, could create a new digital divide, forcing users who want the latest features to invest in new hardware, a phenomenon some critics are already calling "planned obsolescence."

"If the company founded by Uncle Bill didn't get it right with Windows 11, it will definitely get it right with Windows 12, because it would result in a bigger failure. It doesn't understand, or so it seems, that ordering specialized hardware isn't the solution to getting its product to more people."

What other new features does Windows 12 bring?

Despite the controversy, Windows 12 promises significant advancements for those who can run it:

* Refreshed Interface: Expect a more modular and modern design, with elements like a floating taskbar, similar to macOS, for a cleaner aesthetic.

* Performance and Security: Microsoft promises faster boot times, lower power consumption, and a "CoreOS" partitioning system that isolates critical system files to improve security and speed up updates.

* Android App Support: It will be even easier to run Android apps natively, without the need for external emulators.

Market impact: A failure foretold or a boost for PC sales?

Microsoft's Windows 12 strategy is high-risk. On the one hand, by requiring new hardware, it could be trying to revitalize a stagnant PC market, forcing a hardware refresh cycle.

On the other hand, it risks massively fragmenting its user base. If a large portion of consumers and businesses are unable or unwilling to upgrade their hardware, we could see a scenario with three Windows ecosystems coexisting: a large user base clinging to Windows 10 (whose extended support is ending, but remains popular), a middle group on Windows 11, and a minority elite on Windows 12.

This fragmentation not only complicates software development but also creates frustration among consumers, who perceive AI not as a useful enhancement, but as a costly imposition and, for some, an invasive spying tool. The big question is whether the benefits of AI in Windows 12 will be compelling enough to justify the investment, or whether Microsoft is about to repeat the mistakes of the past on a much larger scale.