Microsoft has introduced its latest line of computers, the Copilot+ PCs, which are designed to handle generative AI tasks locally. Announced at a pre-Build event, CEO Satya Nadella described these new devices as a “new class of Windows PCs“.
Local AI Processing Capabilities
The Copilot+ PCs come equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU), enabling them to perform AI tasks directly on the device. This approach aims to enhance performance and reduce reliance on cloud-based solutions. Among the technologies facilitating this shift is Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip.
To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, a system must deliver at least 40 tera operations per second (TOPs) of NPU performance, which is significantly higher than the 10 TOPs offered by other AI PCs. Mehdi also claimed that these PCs are 58 percent faster than M3-powered MacBook Airs.
Copilot+ PCs will feature the new Windows 11 Recall feature, allowing users to retrieve information using natural language prompts, and a standalone Copilot app that can be integrated into various parts of the Windows interface. Microsoft has built the Recall feature with responsible AI standards, ensuring that data remains on the user's PC and is not used to train Microsoft's AI models.
Qualcomm's Advanced SoCs
Qualcomm's newest processors are produced using TSMC's 4nm process and are some of the first to incorporate a CPU core design derived from Nuvia's Arm-compatible technology. After Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia for $1.4 billion in 2021, legal disputes with Arm ensued. The X Plus model features ten CPU cores, while the X Elite has twelve, with the latter achieving clock speeds of up to 4.2 GHz on two cores or 3.8 GHz on all cores. Microsoft asserts that the Surface Laptop equipped with the X Elite processor outperforms Apple's M3 MacBook Air in multi-threaded tasks, though the M3 retains a higher single-core performance.
Performance and Efficiency
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite, with its power consumption configurable up to 50 watts, remains a focal point. Meanwhile, Apple's M3 chip is noted for its thermal design power (TDP) of around 20 watts. Despite these differences, the Microsoft Surface Laptop, equipped with a 12-core X Elite, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of flash storage, is expected to be more cost-effective than Apple's MacBook Air, potentially offering better performance for the price.
Microsoft is introducing an emulation layer known as Prism, which allows legacy x86 applications to run on the Arm cores of their new devices. The company claims that this layer will enable the latest Surface devices to perform up to twice as fast as the older Arm-based Surface Pro 9. Native versions of widely-used applications like Office, Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsApp, Blender, the Affinity suite, and Davinci Resolve are already available. Additionally, Adobe has committed to supporting Windows on Arm.
Partnerships with Major OEMs
Microsoft is collaborating with major OEMs including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, to bring these advanced systems to market. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's EVP and consumer chief marketing officer, highlighted that the Copilot+ PCs are not only powerful but also “unbelievably thin, light, and beautiful,” with some models offering battery life extending up to 22 hours.
The Copilot+ PCs represent a major step forward in integrating AI capabilities into everyday computing, similar to advancements seen in flagship Android phones and anticipated developments from Apple.
Pricing and Availability
The Copilot+ PCs are set to start at a price point of $1,099. Some models promise multi-day battery life, further enhancing their appeal for users seeking extended usability without frequent recharging.
