What are AI-powered Copilot+ laptops?

What are AI-powered Copilot+ laptops?

Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly humanity's greatest resource, and when used correctly, it can pave the way for a better future. AI has already made its way into our pockets through mobile phones and now onto our desks as well through laptops. Thanks to Copilot+ Laptops, you can now integrate AI into your operating system for, let's say, a very hefty price. These laptops feature a special chip called the NPU, which stands for Neural Processing Unit, to handle all AI-related tasks.

But what are these ‘AI-related tasks’? Don’t worry, we will break down everything you need to know about Copilot+ Laptops in this blog. So read along to find out more about Copilot+ Laptops.

What is Copilot+?

Copilot+ is a new brand by Microsoft for AI-powered laptops that run on Windows 11 itself. These laptops are equipped with dedicated processors known as NPUs, which manage AI tasks locally instead of relying on the cloud. With a Copilot+ Laptop, you get exclusive features like:

  • Recall: A timeline-based memory for everything you’ve done—search your past activity using natural language.
  • Co-creator: Use generative AI to edit images or create visuals directly on your device.
  • Live Captions (Translation): Real-time translation of any video or audio, even offline.
  • Copilot Assistant: Integrated deeply into Windows, offering context-aware help and automation.

Why do NPUs Matter?

Just like GPUs are designed to process graphics, NPUs are designed exclusively to handle AI-based tasks locally and not on the cloud. NPUs are faster, better, and more efficient than any cloud-based AI. They are built specially to handle all AI workloads, like natural language processing, image recognition, and generative AI.

Benefits of NPUs

  • Speed: Faster performance for AI features.
  • Battery Life: NPUs use less power than traditional chips.
  • Offline Capabilities: AI tools like Recall or Live Captions work without needing an internet connection.

Top Copilot+ Laptops

Microsoft has released its first wave of Copilot+ Laptops, which are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series, namely Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus, which promise to deliver faster performance and long battery life.

Top Models:

  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11
  • Asus Vivobook S15
  • Acer Swift 14 AI
  • Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x

Comparison

Model Processor TOPS Display Battery Life Starting Price Key Features
Surface 7 Snapdragon X Elite 45 TOPS 13.8"/15", LCD/PixelSense Up to 20 hours ~$999 Premium design, Recall, great keyboard
Surface 11 Pro Snapdragon X Elite/Plus 40-45 TOPS 13" PixelSense Flow Up to 14 hours (tablet) ~$999 (tablet only) Detachable 2-in-1, stylus support, Recall
Asus Vivobook S15 Snapdragon X Elite 45 TOPS 15.6" OLED Up to 18 hours ~$1,299 Sleek OLED, full keyboard, Windows Studio Effects
Acer Swift 14 AI Snapdragon X Elite 45 TOPS 14.5" LCD (touch) Up to 16 hours ~$1,099 Lightweight build, high brightness
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Snapdragon X Elite 45 TOPS 14.5" OLED Up to 17 hours ~$1,199 Slim and Light with OLED visuals

Right now, all of these have the Snapdragon X series, but expect Intel and AMD to join Copilot with Intel’s Lunar Lake series and AMD’s Strix Point series later this year.

What about real-world use cases?

  • Recall: Ask Copilot to find that chart you made last week—no need to dig through files.
  • Real-Time Translation: Watching a video in another language? Let Copilot caption it in your preferred language.
  • Image Generation and Editing: Generate or edit images with just a prompt.
  • Voice Control and Summarization: Draft documents, send emails, and summarize with voice commands.

Who is it for, and should you buy one?

  • Students: Great for note creation, summarizing, and multitasking.
  • Creators: AI-assisted image generation and editing, video transcription.
  • Professionals: Build presentations, automate tasks, brainstorm ideas.

User Guide Table

User Type Use Case Buy Now? Reason
Professionals Productivity, multitasking, presentations Yes Recall, Live Captions, and AI summaries boost workflow
Student Notes, research, online classes Yes Offline AI tools & long battery life ideal for mobile learning
Creators Photo/video editing, AI art generation Maybe Cocreator is useful, but app support for NPU still growing
Gamers High-performance gaming Not Yet ARM-based laptops not ideal for gaming; wait for Intel/AMD AI chips
Developers Coding, compiling, local testing Not Yet x86 support is better for dev tools; AI features aren’t dev-focused yet
Budget Buyers Basic tasks, value-focused use Not Yet Great battery life, but still premium pricing; cheaper models coming soon

Pros and Cons of an AI-powered Laptop

Pros

AdvantagesDetails
Excellent battery lifeARM-based Snapdragon chips are super efficient, often lasting over 18 hours
On-device AINo internet is needed for features like Recall, Cocreator, or Live Captions
Faster PerformanceDedicated NPU handles AI loads without slowing down the CPU/GPU
Silent OperationMost Copilot+ laptops are fanless or ultra-quiet
Privacy FriendlyLocal AI processing keeps your data off the cloud
Instant wake and fast bootSmartphone-like performance in a full laptop

Cons

DisadvantagesDetails
Limited App CompatibilityNot all apps (especially older x86 ones) are optimized for ARM
Not Meant for GamingARM architecture and lack of dedicated GPUs limit AAA gaming capabilities
Still a First-Gen EcosystemSome AI features and apps may feel beta or underutilised at launch
High Entry PriceMost Copilot+ laptops start around $999
Limited UpgradeabilityThin and light design = soldered RAM and storage in most models

Final Thoughts

Copilot+ laptops aren’t just a trend—they mark a real shift in how PCs work. By integrating AI directly into the hardware, Microsoft and its partners are giving users powerful tools that don’t depend on cloud servers.

Whether you’re a student, a creator, or just someone looking to future-proof your next laptop, AI-powered laptops with NPUs are worth paying attention to in 2025 and beyond.

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