All these PCs are equipped with Qualcomm’s advanced Snapdragon X Elite CPU and feature a cutting-edge neural processing unit (NPU) dedicated to AI computations. Complementing this robust hardware are significant new software functionalities, primarily revolving around Microsoft’s Copilot AI technologies. This initiative aims to enhance the experience of running Windows 11 on Arm devices, ensuring improved speed, compatibility, and support for on-device AI processing. Here’s an overview of Microsoft’s latest showcase.
New Surface Laptop and Surface Pro
In March, Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Today, Microsoft has extended its hardware lineup to include consumer versions.
The Surface Pro is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors. It offers display options of either 13.8 inches or 15 inches, with the 13-inch variant having an optional OLED HDR technology. The device is equipped with two USB 4 ports, supports Wi-Fi 7, and has an optional 5G capability. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, the first 2-in-1 keyboard that can function both attached or detached.
As for the Surface Laptop, Microsoft boasts an 86% performance improvement over the Surface Laptop 5 and claims it offers “the longest battery life on any Surface”—lasting up to 22 hours for the 15-inch model and 20 hours for the 13.8-inch model. This laptop also supports Wi-Fi 7.
Pricing for the new Surface devices begins at $999, with availability starting on June 18. Stay tuned for our upcoming hands-on reviews.
Prism Lets You Run Any Windows App on Arm PCs
Prism serves a similar function to Apple’s Rosetta 2 transcoding software, facilitating the smooth operation of non-Arm software on Apple Silicon CPUs. Transitioning PCs to Arm architecture yields significant benefits, including enhanced battery life, cost-effective production, and more compact chips. Should Microsoft’s Prism achieve performance parity with Rosetta, it could pave the way for widespread adoption of Windows PCs powered by Arm processors. Like Rosetta 2, applications leveraging Prism will operate on Arm-based systems without requiring specialized optimizations.
Native Arm Apps for Windows
In today’s announcement, Microsoft unveiled an impressive lineup of major software titles that have been updated for native compatibility with Windows systems utilizing Arm processors. This enhancement promises superior performance compared to applications running with Prism technology. The updated lineup includes prominent Microsoft applications such as Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, and OneNote.
Additionally, major third-party software developers have also embraced this shift. Notable applications such as Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsApp, Blender, Affinity Suite, and DaVinci Resolve now feature native Arm versions for Windows. Of particular interest, Adobe applications, including Firefly, and DaVinci Resolve, which heavily incorporate artificial intelligence for media editing, are expected to substantially benefit from the improved performance on Arm-based Windows systems.
Recall
In Windows 11, Microsoft has discontinued the Timeline feature previously available in Windows 10, which enabled users to effortlessly revisit and reopen past applications. Replacing this is the innovative Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs, an AI-enhanced evolution of Timeline. This new functionality allows users to conduct intuitive searches across their files, browsing history, and other data.
Recall utilizes a semantic index combined with a timeline, allowing it to comprehend content and context with temporal awareness. As per Microsoft, the outcomes are derived from “relationships and associations unique to each of our individual experiences.” This might raise privacy concerns among some users; however, Microsoft assures that the personal index of each user is completely stored on the local device.
Cocreator: Generate and Refine Images Locally
Microsoft’s Copilot already leverages Microsoft Designer, driven by Dall-E 3, to generate images; however, this functionality currently depends on Microsoft’s servers. With the introduction of new features in Microsoft Paint Cocreator, Copilot+ PCs will soon be able to execute these tasks locally. This advancement promises reduced wait times and enhanced privacy.
Additionally, the Microsoft Photos application bundled with Windows 11 now boasts its own set of generative AI capabilities. These include the ability to blur or entirely remove backgrounds from photos.
Furthermore, Copilot+ PCs will offer users the capability to modify the style of a photo with distinct options such as “Cyberpunk” or “Claymation.” Users will also have the opportunity to create images from scratch using the Image Creator tool.
Live Captions
The newly introduced Copilot+ Live Captions feature enables users to translate audio from over 40 languages into English. It supports both live and recorded audio playing through your PC speakers. Remarkably, it also functions offline and is driven by the NPU.
Video Call Enhancements
Copilot+ PCs will feature Windows Studio Effects, enabling users to enhance their images with Portrait Light, which optimizes your onscreen image based on the room’s lighting conditions, whether too dark or excessively bright. Additionally, the system will offer artistic filters to provide a unique and creative appearance. An eye-contact effect will simulate direct attention even when your gaze is elsewhere, and both voice focus and background blur functionalities have seen significant enhancements.
Copilot Becomes a Regular App
Copilot is set to become more versatile on Windows PCs, shedding its previous sidebar-only limitation. Users will soon have the flexibility to resize and reposition it across their screens just like any standard application. Additionally, it will soon leverage OpenAI’s advanced GPT-4o model, enhancing its capabilities significantly.
