Microsoft makes AI-built PCs available globally

Microsoft Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft Surface became available earlier this week for customers around the globe. These are the fastest personal computers from the Windows portfolio optimised for artificial intelligence (AI).

Indian consumers, however, will have to wait longer since no OEM has yet announced an India launch. Available on the Microsoft Store, the estimated retail price of these laptops starts from US$ 999.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Windows, with the launch of Copilot+ PCs. We can't wait to see how these new AI-powered devices empower people to be more productive and creative,” posted Satya Nadella on his social media handle on X.

The launch hints at the probable realms AI can venture into shortly. Several Microsoft rivals, too, have been exploring incorporating artificial intelligence into daily gadgets.

The new systems offer more performance and multi-tasking with the Snapdragon X Elite (12 Core) Processor with all-day battery life. Embedded in them is the powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU). An NPU chip is faster than the usual CPU or GPU chips that equip our laptops as the former simulate the human brain and hence are capable of 40+ TOPS (trillion operations per second). The laptops enhanced by the large language models with small language models are up to 20x more powerful and up to 100x as efficient for running AI workloads than previous Microsoft laptops, delivering industry-leading AI acceleration. “They outperform Apple’s MacBook Air 15” by up to 58% in sustained multithreaded performance,” read the release issued earlier in May.

The PCs come with live captioning and translation support for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages.

These Microsoft Surface laptops have been manufactured using recycled materials with a minimum of 72% recycled content in the enclosure.

Users can access the Copilot App using the Copilot key on the Surface Keyboard.

Microsoft includes its AI-driven Cocreator app to simplify image creation and photo editing with easy text prompts and natural inking using the Slim Pen, which is included in the Surface purchase.