Microsoft stops using Copilot+ PC branding on new Surface PCs

In short: Microsoft is no longer calling new Surface computers “Copilot+ PCs,” even though the devices still meet the old Copilot+ requirements.

What's going on

Microsoft introduced the “Copilot+ PC” label in 2024 to help shoppers spot Windows computers built to run some AI features directly on the device, instead of sending everything to the internet.

This week, Microsoft announced new Surface models, including the Surface Pro 12-inch (2nd Edition) and Surface Laptop 13-inch (2nd Edition), coming out on October 13. But the Copilot+ PC branding is missing. Microsoft’s Brett Ostrum told Windows Central that the new Surface computers “are not called Copilot+ PCs,” even though they meet the requirements.

Those requirements included at least 16GB of memory (RAM), 256GB of storage, and a built-in “neural processing unit” or NPU (a special chip for AI tasks, like a small helper inside the computer). The new Surface devices use Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus processors and include a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU rated at 80 TOPS. TOPS is a speed rating for AI math, like saying a car has more horsepower.

Microsoft also appears to be turning down the volume on the label online. A Microsoft marketing page that focused on Copilot+ PCs now redirects to a “performance PCs” page where the term is less prominent.

What to watch

One reason Microsoft may be stepping back is that its Recall feature drew privacy and security criticism. Another is simple timing. “AI PCs” have become less novel, and many AI features people use already run in the cloud (on remote servers), not on the laptop itself. Watch whether Microsoft promotes other hardware labels instead, especially with an RTX Spark based “Surface Laptop Ultra” expected later this fall.

Source: Arstechnica