Microsoft unveils AI-powered Copilot+ PCs, new Surface devices

Microsoft has announced a new lineup of Windows machines called Copilot+ PCs, alongside AI-powered features like Recall, which helps users find apps, files, and other content they’ve previously accessed.

The announcement was made ahead of the company’s annual Build developer conference this week.

These new AI-first flagship Windows machines include dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to power AI experiences. Each device comes with at least 16GB of RAM and SSD storage.

The initial Copilot+ PCs feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, offering up to 15 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video playback.

Intel and AMD are also developing processors for these devices, with partnerships involving Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Prices start at $999, with some models available for preorder.

The latest Surface Laptop models, available with 13.8- or 15-inch displays, have been redesigned for modern aesthetics with thinner bezels.

They offer up to 22 hours of battery life and are up to 86% faster than the Surface Laptop 5, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and featuring a haptic feedback touchpad.

The new Surface Pro is up to 90% faster than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 9, with an OLED HDR display, Wi-Fi 7 (optional 5G), and an improved ultrawide front-facing camera. Its detachable keyboard is now reinforced with carbon fiber and features haptic feedback.

Recall, an AI-powered feature in Windows 11, can remember apps and content accessed weeks or months ago. It helps users revisit specific files and navigate past activities, using natural language search. All data associated with Recall remains private and on-device.

Super Resolution can upscale old photos automatically, while Cocreator allows users to generate and modify images based on user-drawn instructions.

Live Captions with Live Translations translates any audio on a PC into the user’s chosen language, initially supporting around 40 languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Russian.

The Windows Copilot Runtime, a collection of approximately 40 generative AI models, forms a new layer within Windows, enabling AI-powered apps to run without an internet connection. CapCut, a video editor from ByteDance, will use this runtime to enhance its AI features.

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