Should you buy a Copilot+ PC? What you need to know about AI computers

As artificial intelligence becomes more and more prevalent modern day computing, Microsoft’s new Copilot PCs bring powerful AI capabilities right to your fingertips. Equipped with specialized hardware and advanced software, these devices promise a faster, smarter experience. In this article, we’ll explore what makes Copilot PCs stand out from the rest.

1. Specifications of Copilot PCs

To ensure that the advanced AI functions can be executed quickly and smoothly, Copilot PCs must meet certain hardware requirements. The most important criterion is the presence of a special neural processor (aka the NPU). This component, which deals exclusively with AI tasks, must be able to perform at least 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). Copilot PCs must also have at least 16 gigabytes of RAM (DDR5 or LPDDR5) and be equipped with an SSD (solid state drive) with a capacity of 256 gigabytes or more.

Security is a core feature, too. Every Copilot PC comes equipped with the Microsoft Pluton security chip, which works alongside TPM 2.0 to provide protection against both current and emerging cyber threats.

2. Advantages of an NPU

By using a specialized processor that deals exclusively with the work associated with artificial intelligence, you benefit in two ways. First, the main processor (CPU) and graphics card (GPU) are noticeably relieved so that these components can take care of their traditional tasks. Second, a neural processor enables selected AI tasks to be performed locally, which significantly increases processing speed. This is likely why Microsoft describes Copilot PCs as “the fastest and most intelligent Windows PCs ever built.”

3. AI without an internet connection

If the computer has a dedicated NPU, an internet connection isn’t necessary for AI tasks. And since the content can be processed locally, you don’t have to worry about your data falling into the hands of third parties.

The only exceptions are web-based AI services such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, and Midjourney. They cannot be used in offline mode. Microsoft also points out that when using the AI component “Copilot” integrated in Windows 11 24H2, data is transmitted via the internet to ensure that user input does not violate the terms of use.

4. Qualcomm currently dominates the market

There isn’t a particularly large selection of Copilot PCs available yet. This is because, at launch, only devices featuring one of two Qualcomm processors (Snapdragon X Pro or the Snapdragon X Elite), were released at launch last year. These include the Acer Swift 14 AI, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, the Microsoft Surface Pro, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop.

The Snapdragon CPUs share a key trait. They consume relatively little power, which can significantly increase battery life in normal operation. According to Microsoft, the Surface Laptop Copilot PC can run up to 22 hours on a single charge.

5. Other manufacturers are following suit

AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 and select models from the Ryzen 7000 and Ryzen 8000 series as well as Intel’s Core Ultra 200V processors are also AI-optimized.

In contrast to the Qualcomm processors, however, they’re based on the conventional x86 architecture. This can be a decisive criterion for users who want to continue using all Windows programs in their possession in the future.

However, AMD and Intel AI processors do not yet support all the special Copilot PC functions.

According to Microsoft, the missing AI features will be added through free Windows updates by the end of 2024 or early 2025. This means Copilot PCs with AMD and Intel processors will also support the full range of AI functions.

6. Current Copilot PC features

Windows 11 24H2 already includes several AI features that run on all computers, including the web-based AI assistant Copilot, the Image Creator function in Paint, and the Microsoft Designer components built into the standard in the Windows Photo Viewer app, which lets users redesign images with a single click.

In contrast, Copilot PCs offer exclusive AI features that require a neural processor. These include Windows Studio Effects for better video conferencing, real-time transcription of conversations with translation into more than 40 languages, and the Cocreator function in Paint, which can convert any drawing into professional graphics and supports user-defined prompts when designing images.

7. AI features coming soon

In addition, Microsoft has announced a range of other AI features. Super Resolution is designed to increase the resolution of images many times over, while Restyle can transform ordinary photos into small works of art. However, the controversial Recall function, which has been criticized over potential data privacy concerns, is still up in the air.

So far, all that’s known is that Microsoft has removed Recall from the final version of Windows 11 24H2 for Copilot PCs, meaning the feature is only available to users in the Windows Insider program.

8. Program from other manufacturers also support NPUs

Third-party software can also take advantage of the neural processors build into Copilot PCs to accelerate demanding AI tasks. Many well-known manufacturers have already optimized their programs for the AI age. These include the image editing software Adobe Photoshop, the video editing program Capcut, and the mixing software DjayPro.

9. ARM instead of x86

In contrast to Copilot PCs with AMD and Intel processors, devices equipped with a Qualcomm CPU are based on the ARM architecture. This differs from the x86/x64 architecture of conventional computers, meaning that not all apps and applications developed for Windows can be used. However, Microsoft states that users spend about 90 percent of their time using programs that are also available as native ARM versions.

The selection is indeed large–from office packages like Microsoft 365, LibreOffice, and Microsoft Office, to browsers such as Google Chrome, Brave Browser, and Opera, and even security software like Avast Premium Security, Bitdefender Total Security, and Trend Micro Antivirus. Almost all of these are available in native ARM versions.

Adobe deserves a special call-out here, as the company already has many products optimized for the ARM architecture. This means Adobe can be used on Copilot PCs with Snapdragon CPUs without any problems. In addition to Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom, this includes the video editing program Premiere Pro as well as the beta versions of Illustrator and Indesign.

10. Emulating x86 programs

In order to be able to use programs that were not developed natively for the ARM platform, Windows 11 for ARM architectures includes Prism, a new emulator that converts x86 control commands into ARM instructions in real time.

In practice, this works quite well as long as it does not involve applications that intervene deeply in the system such as virus scanners, VPN tools, or virtualization software. On the windowsonarm.org website, you’ll find a regularly updated list of all programs that run natively or can be used on ARM systems with the help of the emulator.