Microsoft has announced the release of a new lineup of laptops, Copilot+, equipped with powerful artificial intelligence chips for performing complex tasks such as real-time translation and image generation. Additionally, Windows 11 will introduce new generative AI-based features, including Recall, which will help users find previously accessed applications, files, and other content on their computers. The first Copilot+ PCs will be equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, with Intel and AMD processors to follow later. Copilot, Microsoft’s proprietary AI assistant, will receive support for GPT-4o and will be more deeply integrated into Windows 11. The new laptops are claimed to be 58% faster than the MacBook Air with an M3 processor, with prices starting at $999.
Microsoft is betting on widespread integration of artificial intelligence into laptops. The presentation ahead of the annual Build developer conference this week marked the announcement of a new line of Windows computers called Copilot+. The first Copilot+ PCs will be equipped with ARM chips from Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Plus, which, according to Microsoft, provide up to 15 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video playback. Intel and AMD chipmakers also intend to create processors for Copilot+ devices in partnership with several manufacturers, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Microsoft, in turn, will introduce two proprietary models in the Surface lineup.
Artificial intelligence capabilities will be made available through a special neural processor integrated into the laptops. One of the key features it will support is Recall, which uses AI to “remember” applications and content accessed by the user several weeks or even months ago. For example, the feature will help find a Discord chat where a particular topic was discussed. Users can use the Recall timeline to “scroll back” to see what they were working on in the recent past. Microsoft claims that Recall creates associations between colors, images, and much more, allowing users to search for almost anything on their PCs in natural language. All user data related to Recall remains confidential, stored on the device, and is not used to train AI models.
Another feature called Super Resolution can restore old photos by automatically enhancing their resolution. Copilot can now analyze images to give users creative ideas. With the Cocreator feature, users can create images and ask the AI model to monitor the process to make changes along the way. The Live Captions option translates any sound passing through the computer—whether from YouTube or a local file—into the user’s chosen language. Initially, 40 languages will be supported, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian.
Laptops will run on over 40 artificial intelligence models within Windows 11 to implement these new features. Copilot will also receive support for the GPT-4o model introduced last week.
Microsoft’s Executive Vice President for Windows, Yusuf Mehdi, stated that the new laptops will be 58% faster than the MacBook Air with an M3 processor, and the battery will last all day. However, Mehdi did not specify whether this applies to all Copilot+ laptops or only models transitioning to Qualcomm processors based on ARM. Copilot+ PCs will have certain specifications requirements to guarantee the performance promised by Microsoft. They will require at least a 256GB solid-state drive, an embedded neural processor, and 16GB of RAM—twice as much as the MacBook Air.
The first Copilot+ PCs will be released on June 18 and will use Qualcomm processors. Models with Intel and AMD processors will follow later. The cost of Copilot+ laptops starts at $999, with some available for pre-order today. Microsoft expects to sell 50 million Copilot Plus PCs under the brand next year.
