Microsoft reveal a new generation of computer – Copilot Plus PCs – with AI built in

At their global headquarters in Seattle Microsoft has announced an entirely new class of computer they are calling “Copilot Plus PCs” which have AI Capabilities built-in, and a new level of performance and battery life not seen before on Windows PCs.

In a keynote headlined by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (above), the company outlined their vision for AI enabled computing as well as a range of features within Windows which take advantage of this new power.

A Copilot Plus PC has a minimum 16GB of RAM, a minimum 256GB SSD storage and most importantly a dedicated NPU – Neural Processing Unit.

One standout from the announcement was certainly a strong competitive attack on Apple’s own Apple Silicon in their most recent MacBook range. Microsoft called the range of new Copilot Plus PCs (from companies like HP, Dell, Lenovo et al) “more affordable” with prices $200 less than Apple’s MacBook, and also more powerful.

“58% Faster than MacBook Air with M3” was a quote I heard and saw several times. While this could be seen as strong competition, you could also argue it’s an acknowledgement that Apple got a strong headstart in the new generation PC race. Apple’s computers with Apple Silicon have been more powerful than baseline Windows PCs for several years, and Apple has been doing Neural Processing for some time, even in iPhones.

But the tide is turning, and Microsoft is not just cocky they are bullish about their range.

At one point it was stated that they estimate 50,000,000 AI PCs will be sold in the next 12 months alone.

Battery life is a critical thing for Laptops, and something Apple has been knocking out of the park for several years.

New Windows PCs which are Copilot Plus enabled will have battery life of 22+ hours, giving them that “all day” use.

Critically, it’s not just a simple performance benchmark and battery life comparison. Something Apple certainly doesn’t have, but needs – is AI.

Copilot on a Windows PC is already powerful enough to respond to questions and generate content. On a Copilot Plus PC there’s a new level of AI happening on the device itself.

“Recall” is a new app that allows you to search for something you did, saw or used on your PC. Forget which browser tab that was in? Can’t remember the website? Or can’t find the photo?

Search in Recall for “Cooked Eggs” for example and find not just documents with those words, but images of breakfast, websites with recipes – if it appears on your screen – Your Copilot Plus PC saw it and can show you what you saw and allow you to then jump back to where you saw it.

This “observing” can be turned off in apps you choose, or on websites you choose, and can be disabled on demand – privacy is built-in.

Then there’s the simple power of the AI processor. Using the NPU, Microsoft demonstrated a drawing tool that could respond not just to a written prompt, but to a drawing you do.

Sketch an outline of what’s in your mind, describe it – and your computer will create the image.

It’s wild and powerful stuff. And this is just scratching the surface of what was announced, let alone what’s possible.

AI enabled PC’s will hit the market on June 18.

Apple, your move. All eyes on WWDC in early June.

Trevor Long travelled to Seattle as a guest of Microsoft