In this talk, Jamie Gwilliam explores how architects and designers can better understand the hardware that powers their workflows, from CPUs and GPUs to memory, battery life and AI-ready systems. Drawing on his perspective from Intel’s workstation business, he breaks down the rapid evolution of professional computing and explains why choosing the right machine is no longer about buying the most expensive option, but about matching hardware to the specific demands of design, modelling, rendering and simulation. The talk also looks at how AI PCs, NPUs and hybrid processing architectures are beginning to reshape the future of architectural work, with AI becoming an increasingly active co-worker embedded within everyday software. Alongside broader themes of performance, efficiency and security, Jamie encourages architects to think more critically about their tools, understand where bottlenecks actually sit, and make more intentional technology choices based on real workflows rather than assumptions. Ultimately, the talk frames the workstation not just as a technical device, but as the engine that enables curiosity, creativity and the next generation of design practice.