Revolutionizing PCs: Microsoft announces ‘Copilot+’ PCs to rival Apple’s Macbook with M3
Microsoft recently unveiled its next-generation AI PCs, dubbed ‘Copilot+ PCs’, at a Pre-Build Event, ahead of its annual developer conference, Build 2024. Experts suggest the ‘Copilot+ PCs’ could rival Apple’s latest M3 chip-enabled Macbook series in terms of hardware features and performance, potentially revolutionizing the PC landscape by bringing native AI capabilities to everyday tasks.
Imagine a world where your computer not only processes commands but also anticipates your needs, simplifies your tasks, and boosts your productivity. This is the promise of AI PCs — machines with integrated AI that offer unparalleled performance and convenience. Let’s explore what AI PCs are, look at some exciting examples, and dive into Microsoft’s latest announcement — Copilot+ PCs.
Introduction to AI PCs
First, what exactly is an AI PC? Simply put, it’s a personal computer with built-in AI capabilities. Unlike AI tools like ChatGPT or Dall E which require the internet to run on the cloud, AI PCs have the necessary hardware and software to run AI applications directly on the device. Imagine you open a new file on your PC and ask AI to summarize the document instantly without needing any external tools or internet access.
These AI PCs come with specialized hardware, like AI accelerators or Neural Processing Units (NPUs), to handle complex AI tasks. For example, Apple’s Mac series with Silicon chips includes neural engines designed for AI and machine learning.
AI PCs are going to be mainstream, and Microsoft’s recent announcement of Copilot+ PCs is set to speed up their adoption. But before we dive into Microsoft’s announcement, let’s look at some current AI PCs available on the market.
Examples of AI PCs
1. Apple’s MacBook Air 13"/15" with M3 Chip
Introduced earlier this year, Apple’s MacBook Air series, powered by M3 Chips, continues to lead in AI-driven personal computing.
| Key Features
- Enhanced Performance: Faster and more efficient processing for tasks such as voice recognition and real-time data analysis, 1.6x faster than the M1 chip
- Extended battery life: Up to 18 hours
- Neural Engine: 16-core neural engine capable of performing 11 trillion operations per second (TOPS), enabling advanced AI and machine learning tasks
| What’s Cool
- Capability to run local large language models (LLMs) for text or image generation
- Faster AI processing for complex tasks like live transcription with Mac Whisperer and AI-based photo editing (noise reduction, generative filters, AI background removal) in Pixometer Pro
Apple is expected to launch more native AI features and applications at its upcoming developer conference in June 2024.
2. Lenovo’s New LOQ Series
Lenovo’s New LOQ Series (Powered by Intel or AMD processors) is one of the popular budget-friendly gaming laptops introduced recently.
| Key Features
- Display: 15.6" FHD (1920x1080), 144 Hz Refresh Rate, and brightness at 350Nits
- Audio: 2x 2W HD Stereo Speakers, Immersive 3D sound with features like sound sharing, sound tracker, etc.
- In-built AI accelerator: Lenovo AI Engine+ and Lenovo LA1 AI Chips
| What’s Cool
- AI Engine for Gaming: Geared towards smooth and fast gaming rendering and performance
Microsoft’s Announcement on Copilot+ PCs
‘Copilot+ PCs,’ as termed by Microsoft, are claimed to be the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built, capable of an incredible 40+ TOPS (trillion operations per second), offering all-day battery life, and access to the most advanced AI models.
| Key Features
- High Performance: Up to 20x more power and 100x more efficiency for AI workloads than currently available alternatives
- Extended Battery Life: Up to 22 hours of local video playback or 15 hours of web browsing on a single charge — 20% more than the MacBook Air 15
- Faster Implementation of Microsoft 365 Apps: Enhanced performance for Teams, Outlook, Excel, OneDrive, etc.
- Advanced AI Models: Run locally to reduce latency, cost, and privacy concerns
| What’s Cool
- Recall: A new feature that lets you find and restore content across applications and websites by going back in time
- AI-Powered Paint: Allows you to create Microsoft Designer-style AI images from rough sketches in Paint
- Real-Time English Captioning: Provides captions for any sound played on your PC from over 40 languages
The company is launching the Copilot+ PCs in its new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lineup, along with OEM partners like Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. These OEMs have already announced respective Copilot+ PCs, which will be available starting June 18.
Conclusion
The rise of AI PCs marks a significant leap forward in personal computing. With native AI capabilities, these devices promise to transform how we interact with our computers, making tasks faster, more efficient, and more intuitive. As companies like Apple, Lenovo, and Microsoft continue to innovate, we can expect AI PCs to become an integral part of our daily lives, enhancing productivity, creativity, and overall user experience. The future of computing is here, and it is intelligent, efficient, and incredibly exciting.
