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This week, i Capital updates on VSTECS Berhad (“VSTECS”), Malaysia’s largest distributor of software and IT equipment. The Group represents 50 leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) principals (figure 1) servicing more than 5,000 active resellers. VSTECS serves three major segments namely (1) ICT Distribution, (2) Enterprise Systems and (3) ICT Services. 

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The AI PC and Smartphone Landscape

In recent years, tech giants have been aggressively developing and launching their own AI platforms, signaling a new era of competition in artificial intelligence. Apple has introduced Apple Intelligence, leveraging its custom Apple Neural Engine to power AI features across its devices, while Google has rolled out Gemini AI, enhancing its search and cloud services. Samsung has joined the race with Galaxy AI, focusing on improving user experiences across its ecosystem, and Microsoft has expanded its AI offerings with Copilot, designed to streamline productivity tools. Meanwhile, Grok AI, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, is making waves with its conversational and real-time data processing capabilities.

As these software innovations accelerate, hardware is evolving to keep pace. Brands like Intel, Qualcomm, AMD, and others are leading the charge with next-generation processors designed to power the AI revolution. Intel’s Core Ultra H series (part of the Meteor Lake architecture) and its upcoming Lunar Lake processors are pushing the boundaries of AI performance with dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs). Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are bringing advanced AI capabilities to smartphones and PCs, while AMD’s Ryzen 7040 and the anticipated Ryzen 8000 series are integrating powerful NPUs for both consumer and enterprise applications. MediaTek is also making strides with its Dimensity 9300+, featuring a robust NPU for AI-driven mobile experiences. Apple continues to innovate with its Neural Engin