News

Microsoft Launches Copilot+ PCs, Designed for Advanced AI

• By John K. Waters
• 05/28/2024

Microsoft has announced the release of its new line of AI-optimized Windows PCs, known as Copilot+ PCs. These devices are the fastest and most intelligent Windows PCs ever created, the company claims, thanks to new silicon capable of more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Copilot+ PCs are designed to deliver all-day battery life and provide access to advanced AI models, enabling users to perform tasks that are not possible on other PCs, the company says.

The new system architecture of Copilot+ PCs integrates the CPU, GPU, and a high-performance Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Enhanced by large language models (LLMs) and small language models (SLMs) from the Azure Cloud, these PCs deliver up to 20 times more power and 100 times more efficiency for AI workloads. They outperform the Apple MacBook Air 15” by up to 58% in sustained multithreaded performance, the company says, while also offering up to 22 hours of local video playback or 15 hours of web browsing on a single charge.

A list of the key features and innovations in the new PCs includes:

Recall: This feature allows users to easily find and remember content viewed on their PC. It helps users find previously viewed information by organizing data based on personal associations.
Cocreator: Users can generate and refine AI images in near real-time directly on their devices, allowing for nearly real-time AI-powered image creation and editing, enhancing creative workflows with advanced algorithms and customizable styles.
Live Captions: This tool bridges language barriers by translating audio from more than 40 languages into English.

These capabilities are delivered through lightweight devices from Microsoft Surface and partners such as Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Pre-orders are available now, with the official release set for June 18.

Microsoft sees the launch of Copilot+ PCs as a major shift in Windows platform development. Recent advancements in AI through the cloud have expanded the possibilities for Copilot, the company says, allowing Redmond to bring these innovations to individual devices. Windows now features the best app implementations on the fastest chip, starting with Qualcomm. Native Arm64 experiences have expanded, including Microsoft 365 apps and other popular software, such as Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, and WhatsApp. The new Prism emulator ensures smooth performance for both native and emulated apps.

Every Copilot+ PC comes with the Microsoft Pluton Security processor enabled by default, along with new security features in Windows 11 to protect users. Personalized privacy controls have also been built into the system, giving users greater control over their data.

Microsoft has partnered with leading software developers to optimize AI experiences. Adobe’s flagship apps, including Photoshop, Lightroom, and Express, are now available on Copilot+ PCs, with more to follow. These apps utilize AI capabilities to enhance performance and user experience.