Maybe you’re eagerly awaiting NVIDIA‘s big splash into the “AI PC” market with its new Windows on Arm (WoA) chips. If that’s the case, you might have to wait a little longer. Fresh reports suggest that the launch of NVIDIA’s highly anticipated N1X SoC, co-developed with MediaTek, has been pushed back to Q1 2026. This delay, originally planned for a late 2025 release, comes down to a few key factors that highlight the complexities of this new computing era.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about a delay in NVIDIA’s ARM CPUs. The latest report supports this, but mentions an earlier announcement than the previous one (that pointed to “late 2026”). Furthermore, the new information offers more details about the reasons behind the decision.
Why did NVIDIA delay its N1X and N1 PC chips?
Among the reasons behind the delay of these chips is Microsoft’s next-generation Windows platform. Apparently, the OS that will fully unlock the potential of these AI-powered PCs is facing its own development slowdowns. NVIDIA is likely holding back to ensure that when its chips launch, they can seamlessly integrate with and fully leverage Microsoft’s software. After all, they have to consider all the advanced AI features and ecosystem refinements planned for the new Windows OS. A truly optimized “AI PC” experience hinges on both hardware and software being perfectly aligned.
Then there’s the question of consumer demand for WoA (Windows on Arm) laptops. Currently, there’s a lot of industry buzz around the “AI PC” narrative. However, it seems general consumers aren’t rushing to embrace these new Arm-based machines just yet. Traditional x86 chips from Intel and AMD still hold the lion’s share of the market. Despite aggressive pushes, the widespread adoption of Arm-based laptops hasn’t quite taken off at the expected pace. NVIDIA might be strategically waiting for the market to mature a bit more.
Finally, NVIDIA itself is reportedly reviewing its N1X and N1 chips. These internal adjustments are expected to include design changes and various optimizations. Previous reports on the delay even pointed to a potential hardware redesign to address issues of low energy efficiency and poor thermal management. The N1X chip is said to feature a powerful 20-core Grace (Arm) CPU and a cutting-edge Blackwell GPU (promising a whopping 1 PetaFLOP of AI compute). NVIDIA needs to perfect it if it really wants to attract public interest. This will allow it to seriously compete against established players like Apple’s M4 chips and upcoming offerings from AMD (like Ryzen AI MAX) and Intel (their AX series).
Chips with promising performance
The N1X SoC specifically targets the consumer segment. Meanwhile, the N1 series will likely include different tiers, potentially for enterprise or even more niche markets. Early benchmarks for the N1X have been quite promising, even in its unrefined state, showing strong performance numbers. So, while the delay might be a bit of a bummer for tech enthusiasts eager for the next big thing, it ultimately suggests NVIDIA really wants to deliver a polished and powerful chip that will be a viable alternative.
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