You’ll be missing out on a new “class” of PCs and may not be ready for next-gen computing unless you upgrade to a Copilot+ PC. Although this claim comes from Microsoft’s marketing team, it is consistent with the company’s overall vision. Microsoft says all new PCs are “AI PCs,” but if you own older hardware, you’re missing out.

“Copilot+ PCs” are a “new class” of Windows PCs, and Microsoft claims that “all Copilot+ PCs are Windows 11 PCs, but not all Windows 11 PCs are Copilot+ PCs.” But what qualifies as a “Copilot+ PC”? According to Microsoft, any device with up to 16 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, and an NPU with a TOP of 40 or higher is a Copilot+ PC.

In fact, some older “AI PCs” do not qualify as “Copilot+ PCs” because they have less than 40 TOP NPUs. For example, I own a Specter (2024), but it only has a TOP of 10 NPUs, so it doesn’t qualify as a Copilot+ PC.

For those who don’t know, NPU stands for Neural Processing Unit and is specifically used for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tasks.

Microsoft says PCs built with NPUs are “safe and secure. [support] On-device AI processing enables users to work, create, and communicate more efficiently. ”The company says that a gaming laptop’s GPU is not enough to run AI models locally. That’s because high-end AI PCs won’t sell.

“Copilot+ PC is the fastest, most intelligent Windows PC ever,” Microsoft claims in marketing documents seen by Windows Most.

“Copilot+ PC is designed to support current and future AI innovations,” Microsoft said. noticed. “Upgrading to a Copilot+ PC ensures you’re ready for the next generation of computing.”

Microsoft hasn’t explained how these AI PCs will be ready for next-generation computing, especially if the introduction of AI is the only reason for the soaring prices of RAM and GPUs.

If the future of computing is expensive PCs that can locally use AI to turn themselves into anime characters, I’d rather stay in the past in a cave. Sorry, Microsoft.

Microsoft announces Copilot+ PC increases productivity

If you think I’m talking nonsense like this, Microsoft literally says that Copilot+ PC “accelerates productivity and creativity” with features like MS Paint’s Image Creator. Other possible reasons include:

• Copilot is literally a key on newer PCs, so you can access it with just a press of a key. The app allows you to analyze, summarize, edit, and create content.
• Recall: This is the first time I’ve heard Microsoft talk about a recall in recent months. Recall allows Windows to capture your screen every few seconds and create a timeline/memory so you can go back in time and ask questions like “What was the project you were working on last week?” Recall will find it.
• Live captions with English translations from over 40 languages. This is one of the useful features of Copilot+ PC.
• Use prompts to create images in apps like Paint.
• You can blur the background or remove objects using the Microsoft Photos app.
• Windows Studio Effects – Improve your video calls with color correction, background blur, and more.

Unfortunately, these Copilot+ PCs are here to stay unless the bubble bursts and Microsoft is forced to change its strategy, at least temporarily. However, some PC manufacturers Dell is gradually moving away from solely focusing on AI PCsbecause consumers care more about build quality, gaming, and other features.