Microsoft ended Windows 10 support mid-last month on October 14 2025. The company still provides updates under its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program and recently shared important technical resources for enterprise PCs regarding activation of ESU.
Recently, AMD reached out to Neowin around that time frame and offered us the opportunity to interview Jason Banta, who is the Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Client OEM at the company. We figured that if anyone would be able to get into those nitty-gritty details about how AMD’s product stack stacks up alongside the changing landscape of Windows, it would probably be him.
So we accepted the opportun…
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support mid-last month on October 14 2025. The company still provides updates under its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program and recently shared important technical resources for enterprise PCs regarding activation of ESU.
Recently, AMD reached out to Neowin around that time frame and offered us the opportunity to interview Jason Banta, who is the Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Client OEM at the company. We figured that if anyone would be able to get into those nitty-gritty details about how AMD’s product stack stacks up alongside the changing landscape of Windows, it would probably be him.
So we accepted the opportunity and in this write-up we share some of the interesting things Banta revealed to us, including AMD’s complete hardware-readiness with the next generation of Windows, be it Windows 12 (?), or something else.
Q) With Windows 10 support ending this month (mid-October), how does AMD view the scale and urgency of this refresh cycle compared to past OS transitions? Estimates suggest hundreds of millions of devices are still on Windows 10. What are the some of the top challenges and opportunities this presents for AMD and its partners?
Jason Banta:
The end of Windows 10 support is one of the biggest refresh moments the PC market has seen in years.
As we approach the deadline, interest in upgrading is clearly building. Consumers and businesses are reassessing what a modern PC can do, which creates real room for innovation across the ecosystem. Our focus with Microsoft and OEM partners is to make the transition feel like a step forward change, not a sideways move.
For anyone coming from an older system, the difference is immediate. Moving to Windows 11 on a Ryzen platform brings faster performance, longer battery life, and advanced on-device AI features that were not available before. The combination of Windows 11 and Ryzen AI makes this a smart time to modernize and to choose a system that will carry you forward.
Q) Microsoft is promoting Copilot+ PCs as the natural upgrade path. From AMD’s perspective, what makes a Copilot+ PC fundamentally different from a traditional Windows 11 PC? How critical is the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) in a Copilot+ PC in terms of delivering the AI experiences Microsoft is highlighting, such as Recall, Copilot Vision, among others?
Jason Banta:
Copilot+ PCs are designed for on-device AI. The key is the Neural Processing Unit which runs AI workloads locally and helps power features like “Click-to-Do“ and “Recall” respond quickly, protect data on the device, and use power efficiently.
AMD brought the first NPU to x86 PCs in 2023, and with the Ryzen AI 300 Series we deliver up to 50 TOPS of NPU performance. AI experiences also benefit from the CPU and RDNA graphics working alongside the NPU, which gives developers headroom to keep adding capabilities that run locally.
Traditional Windows 11 PCs remain excellent, but Copilot+ systems open the door to experiences that learn and improve over time. As more apps tap into local acceleration, users will feel a meaningful difference in responsiveness and personalization.
Q) Can you explain how AMD’s hardware roadmap (Ryzen AI, etc.) is optimized for these AI workloads compared to previous generations? How do AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs compare with Intel’s offerings in terms of AI performance, efficiency, and cost? Where do you expect AMD to have the clearest advantage over its rival?
Jason Banta:
Ryzen AI was built specifically for AI on the PC. Since introducing the first x86 NPU in 2023, we have advanced the architecture each generation to improve efficiency and coordination across CPU, GPU, and NPU. Our latest Ryzen AI MAX processors combine up to 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, an XDNA 2 NPU delivering up to 50 TOPS on x86, and up to 40 RDNA compute units for strong graphics performance.
This balanced design lets the system route work to the right engine, which helps battery life and overall responsiveness in Windows 11 Copilot+ workloads.
Our advantage is breadth and scalability. We offer AI-capable PCs across consumer, commercial, and creator segments, so users can choose the right performance and budget while OEMs can build consistent designs across product lines. That portfolio depth, paired with our x86 NPU performance and RDNA graphics, positions AMD well as AI PCs become the standard.
Q) How do you see the refresh cycle playing out differently in enterprise vs. consumer markets? Many enterprises may be cautious about AI adoption. How is AMD working with Microsoft to reassure businesses that Copilot+ PCs are not just “nice-to-have” but essential for productivity and security?
Similarly, for consumers, what are the most compelling reasons to upgrade from a Windows 10 PC to a Copilot+ PC? Also, how is AMD addressing concerns about price accessibility; will Copilot+ PCs be available across entry-level, mid-range and the more premium segment?
Jason Banta:
In enterprise, the conversation begins with security, compliance, and manageability. Windows 11 provides a stronger baseline with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot as standard. AMD PRO technologies, available on Ryzen PRO and Ryzen AI PRO commercial SKUs, extend that with hardware-based protection, reliability features, and remote manageability that integrate with tools such as Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot.
Many organizations also view this refresh as a productivity upgrade. In addition to security advancements, AMD’s Zen 5 cores enable enterprise workers to get things done quickly and efficiently. On-device AI features like Copilot can streamline routine work, improve decision-making, and make using the PC easier.
For consumers, the benefits are straightforward: faster performance, longer battery life, stronger security, and new Copilot+ creative tools like Image Creator. We are working closely with OEM partners to ensure these advantages are widely accessible by offering Ryzen AI systems at multiple price points, from mainstream notebooks to flagship Ryzen AI MAX designs.
Q) Looking beyond Windows 11 24H2/25H2, how does AMD see the evolution of the AI PC category? How is AMD preparing for the possibility of the next gen Windows (12) and ensuring that today’s Copilot+ PCs can remain future-proof?
Jason Banta:
Everything we design at AMD is intended for longevity. Our high-performance cores, GPUs, and NPUs ensure your PC can handle the most complex applications. The socket architecture we use for desktop is built with upgradeability in mind. And our software solutions evolve with changes in the PC ecosystem.
AI PCs are now the foundation for the next era of personal computing.
We are working with Microsoft and the ecosystem on standards such as Windows ML, ONNX, and Model Context Protocol so AMD hardware, drivers, and software are ready for what comes next. Our goal is to ensure a Ryzen AI system you buy today is not only compatible with future Windows capabilities but optimized for them.
Overall, it looks like AMD is pretty upbeat about the opportunity it has on its hands, though it also wants to ensure compatibility. While Windows 10’s end of support has caused a major disruption as many PCs are probably no longer officially able to run Windows 11 due to ineligibility, the company seems to hint that the same would not be the case when Windows (12?) rolls out, at least in the case of the capable Copilot+ PCs.
We would sincerely like to thank AMD and Jason Banta for taking the time to consider and answer our questions.