The Surface Laptop shown in front of a Copilot+ sign.
Copilot+ PCs mark a significant shift in the Windows laptop landscape, integrating ARM chip support and system-wide AI capabilities. This transition introduces exciting possibilities but also potential confusion. This article addresses the most crucial questions surrounding Copilot+ PCs.
Hardware Requirements for Copilot+ PCs
To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, devices must meet specific criteria: 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) neural processing unit (NPU). While Microsoft hasn’t detailed specific requirements for CPU performance, battery life, or portability, there may be undisclosed standards. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips are central to the performance and battery life claims, potentially positioning these devices as “MacBook killers.” However, ARM architecture isn’t mandatory. Intel and AMD have pledged support for future Copilot+ PCs, aiming to develop laptops with more powerful NPUs that meet the 40 TOPS requirement, surpassing the current 10 TOPS limit of Intel’s Meteor Lake laptops.
AI Features in Copilot+ PCs
A screenshot of the Recall feature in Windows.
AI is the core of Copilot+ PCs, addressing a key limitation of previous-gen AI PCs: underutilized NPUs. The 40 TOPS NPU provides ample AI processing power, enabling efficient background operation. A standout feature is “Recall,” described by Microsoft as a “photographic memory” allowing natural language searches across your PC’s history. While innovative, it raises privacy concerns. Other AI features include Copilot suggestions within settings, real-time translation, one-click notification replies, and more. Non-Copilot+ PCs will receive a new full-screen Copilot app in the Windows 11 update. While Microsoft confirmed the upcoming integration of GPT-4o with Copilot, specific details remain undisclosed.
Announced Copilot+ Devices
The Surface Pro with the keyboard attached on a table.
Major laptop manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Asus, Acer, Samsung, and Surface, have embraced Copilot+. Prices range from $999 to $1,699, depending on configuration. Some devices, like the HP Omnibook X 14, feature entirely new designs. Others, like the XPS 13, retain existing chassis designs, while the Surface Laptop adopts a middle ground with design modifications. Over a dozen Copilot+ PCs have been announced, with more expected in the future.
Copilot+ PC Release Date
Many Copilot+ PCs, including the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, are slated for release on June 18th and are available for purchase now.
Will the ARM Transition Succeed?
The Snapdragon X Elite chip installed in a laptop.
Microsoft has re-engineered Windows for ARM compatibility, developing a new kernel, compiler, and schedulers to optimize CPU performance. Addressing past app compatibility issues with ARM-based Windows laptops, Microsoft collaborated with 300 software vendors. Key applications like Zoom, Dropbox, Adobe Lightroom, and Google Chrome have been recompiled for ARM. While some apps like Slack and Discord are still missing, Microsoft anticipates 90% of user time will be spent on native apps. The new “Prism” emulator aims to match the efficiency of Apple’s Rosetta 2, potentially minimizing app compatibility concerns.
Performance and Battery Life Expectations
The Surface Laptop displaying results from a Handbrake test.
Microsoft claims significant performance and battery life improvements in Copilot+ PCs, attributed to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series chips. While the 40 TOPS NPU is a key feature, CPU performance and battery life are crucial for consumers. These new laptops are projected to deliver around 16% faster multi-threaded performance compared to the M3 MacBook Air and a substantial 46% lead in sustained performance. While the MacBook Air is fanless, the Copilot+ laptops are not. Battery life claims are even more impressive, with up to 22 hours of local video playback on some devices. Variations are expected based on display, battery size, and thermals. Independent testing is needed, but these laptops appear to rival MacBooks in efficiency.
