Microsoft announced Copilot+ PCs on May 20, 2024, introducing a Windows PC category built around neural processing units (NPUs) for local AI workloads. The first wave paired new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models with devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Microsoft set a 40+ TOPS NPU threshold for the category, but the announcement’s headline features did not all arrive at once: Recall was delayed after launch, and its current status is still preview.
What Microsoft announced
Microsoft presented Copilot+ PCs as a new class of Windows computers designed to run supported AI experiences on the device. The announcement named Surface and six other PC makers—Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung—and said the systems would use silicon capable of 40+ TOPS, or trillion operations per second. Microsoft said preorders opened May 20, 2024, availability would begin June 18, and launch prices would start at $999. Those were historical launch details, not current price or inventory information. Microsoft’s May 20 announcement
The first Surface models
The first Surface wave consisted of an all-new Surface Pro 2-in-1 and Surface Laptop, both built around Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus processors. Microsoft said their NPUs exceeded 45 TOPS. The Surface Pro could be paired with the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard and Surface Slim Pen. Microsoft’s Surface announcement
More processor platforms followed
The category was not limited to Qualcomm. Microsoft later announced Copilot+ PCs using AMD Ryzen AI 300 and Intel Core Ultra 200V platforms. It said eligible AMD- and Intel-powered devices would receive new AI experiences through Windows updates, with timing depending on the software release. Microsoft’s announcement of AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs
#1 Best Overall
- 【Copilot+ & Next-Gen 50 TOPS AI Performance】Powered by the groundbreaking AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and an integrated NPU delivering 50 TOPS of XDNA-accelerated AI power, this laptop effortlessly handles local AI workloads, complex coding, and seamless multitasking. It is the ultimate high-performance workspace designed for forward-thinking creators, developers, and professionals.
- 【Powerful Integrated Radeon 890M Graphics】Experience console-grade visuals on a thin-and-light profile with AMD Radeon 890M graphics. Built on cutting-edge RDNA 3.5 architecture, it delivers exceptional frame rates and stunning clarity for AAA gaming, 4K video editing, and 3D rendering. Enjoy strong graphics power for entertainment or creative tasks without extra heat and bulk of a discrete GPU.
- 【Dual Expandable High-Speed Memory & Storage】Built with dual DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting max 64GB 5600MHz high-frequency memory, plus dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots for large-capacity storage expansion.It provides abundant expandable space to match your growing needs for data storage and professional software usage.
- 【Immersive 17.3" Widescreen Display with 180° Hinge】Maximize your productivity on 17.3-inch Full HD EDP widescreen display. The expansive layout offers a cinematic view for split-screen multitasking, eliminating constant scrolling through dense charts. Its 180° lay-flat hinge lets you share blueprints, presentations, or design mockups with colleagues in meetings or group study sessions.
- 【Full-Featured Rich Interface & USB4.0 High-Speed Transmission】Comprehensive port layout includes USB4.0, HDMI2.1, multi USB-A port, 3.5mm audio jack and SD card reader. USB4.0 realizes 40Gbps ultra-fast transmission, supports external graphics dock, multi-screen split display and various peripheral device connection, fully meeting office expansion needs.
What “on-device AI” means on a Copilot+ PC
An NPU is a processor specialized for AI workloads. Microsoft positioned it alongside the CPU and GPU so supported experiences could run locally rather than relying entirely on remote processing. The 40+ TOPS figure was Microsoft’s launch-category threshold; it is a hardware capability measure, not a guarantee that every Copilot+ feature works on every qualifying device.
Microsoft’s launch examples included three different kinds of tasks:
Rank #2
- It's possible on your Intel AI PC - Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2), the Aspire 14 Al brings new AI experiences in productivity, creativity and security through a combination of CPU, GPU and NPU. This combo delivers the speed and responsiveness to handle any task with ease -along with all-day battery life of up to 22 hours and smooth multitasking performance. (Battery life was measured under specific test settings pursuant to video playback scenarios)
- New AI Superpowers - Discover the power of Recall (preview), improved Windows search, and Click to Do (preview) on Copilot plus PCs. Effortlessly locate past content, perform natural searches, and interact with text and images – all while ensuring your data remains private and you stay productive. ( Copilot plus PC experiences vary by device and market and may require updates continuing to roll out through 2025; Recall and Click to Do will be coming to European Economic Area later in 2025; timing varies. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs)
- Indulge Your Eyes - Immerse yourself in a world of vibrant detail with a breathtaking 14" WUXGA 1920 x 1200 ultra high-resolution display. This expansive, panoramic screen is your canvas for entertainment, artistic creativity, and captivating AI experiences that will leave you in awe.
- Smart and Effortless AI - Intelligent AI solutions are at your fingertips with AcerSense. Streamline settings, optimize your video presence, and elevate communication - all with intuitive AI that’s easy to use and enhances productivity seamlessly. Just press the AcerSense key on the backlit keyboard for instant access and experience the magic of AI
- Style and Substance - The Aspire 14 Al boasts a sleek, durable, and lightweight aluminum chassis, with an ultra-modern design and a 180° lie-flat hinge for versatile and convenient use on the go. Ideal for work, study, or creative pursuits wherever you are.
- Recall: intended to help users find or return to past activity on their PC.
- Cocreator: image generation and refinement in Paint.
- Live Captions: Microsoft said it could translate audio from more than 40 languages into English captions.
Microsoft’s current Copilot+ material also lists Recall, Cocreator, Studio Effects, Live Captions, and automatic super resolution. The feature set and delivery model have evolved since 2024: Windows AI components are serviced independently through Windows Update, and Microsoft documents Phi Silica as a local language model optimized for Copilot+ PC NPUs. Device, software, and market can affect availability. Microsoft Copilot+ PC help and learning Microsoft documentation for Phi Silica
Recall’s launch changed after privacy and security concerns
Microsoft described Recall as “Coming soon” in its May 2024 Surface post. On June 14, 2024, the Associated Press reported that Microsoft delayed broad availability after privacy and security concerns and planned to test the feature first with Windows Insiders. Associated Press report on the delay
Rank #3
- [NEXT-GEN AI PERFORMANCE] Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 255U processor with integrated NPU and a dedicated Copilot key, this laptop accelerates daily AI tasks, smart document drafting, and seamless multi-app workflows without system lag.
- [EXPANDED 17.3" WORKSPACE] The massive 17.3-inch anti-glare display offers crisp visuals and expansive screen real estate, allowing effortless multi-window multitasking, side-by-side document editing, and reduced eye strain during extended work sessions.
- [HIGH-SPEED DDR5 & SSD STORAGE] Equipped with up to 64GB high-frequency DDR5 RAM and a fast 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, experience rapid boot times, instant file transfers, and smooth execution across memory-intensive business applications.
- [TAILORED FOR PROFESSIONALS] Features a sleek durability-focused chassis, HD privacy camera, noise-reduction dual microphones, Wi-Fi 6, USB Type-C, and HDMI ports, making it a reliable workstation for remote employees, business executives, and students.
- [NEXT-GEN STAMINA: INTELLIGENT BATTERY LIFE] Fuel your day with up to 8 hours of uninterrupted office productivity. Driven by an advanced high-capacity battery and smart power optimization, your creative and professional workflow stays seamless from start to finish.
Microsoft’s current support pages label Recall a preview. Microsoft says saving snapshots is opt-in, requires Windows Hello authentication, and can be paused, filtered, or deleted. The company also says snapshots are processed and stored locally and are not shared with Microsoft or third parties by default. These are Microsoft’s descriptions of the feature’s design, not an independent security evaluation; availability and behavior may vary by device and market. Microsoft support: Recall Microsoft Copilot+ PC help and learning
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the launch figures do—and do not—show
Microsoft’s announcement described Copilot+ PCs as “the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built.” That is the company’s promotional characterization, not an independent finding. Likewise, the announcement’s performance, battery, and price figures should be read with their original scope and attribution:
| Figure | What it refers to |
|---|---|
| 40+ TOPS | Microsoft’s 2024 NPU capability threshold for the Copilot+ PC launch category. Microsoft announcement |
| More than 40 languages | Microsoft’s 2024 description of Live Captions translating audio into English captions. Microsoft announcement |
| Up to 22 hours local video playback; up to 15 hours web browsing | Company-reported battery figures for the first Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PCs, not a universal result for every model. Microsoft launch post |
| $999 starting price | Microsoft’s stated starting price at the 2024 announcement, not a current quote. Microsoft announcement |
| 30% said they would buy next-generation AI PCs as soon as available; another 45% within 12 months | IDC figures reported in a Microsoft-sponsored 2024 brief; they are not independent market-wide adoption data. Microsoft announcement |
Microsoft also published comparisons with MacBook Air models; those were company-reported results tied to specified configurations and test conditions, not independent product comparisons. No conclusion about current performance or value follows from the launch claims alone.
Quick Recap
How to interpret Copilot+ PC claims today
- Check the exact device and processor. The 2024 launch began with Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus, then expanded to eligible AMD Ryzen AI 300 and Intel Core Ultra 200V systems.
- Check feature eligibility separately from NPU capability. Microsoft’s 40+ TOPS threshold defines a category, but software rollout, hardware, and market can determine which experiences are available.
- Separate announced features from delivered features. Recall was listed as coming soon at launch, delayed for testing, and is currently identified by Microsoft as a preview.
- Treat dated launch numbers as historical. The $999 starting price and battery claims do not establish current prices, stock, or results for later models.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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