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Introducing a new era of AI with Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft
At Microsoft Build they have recently announced the newest additions to the Surface family, Laptop 7th edition and Pro 11th edition. A new category of Windows PC designed for AI, Copilot + PCs
As this was only announced this week I have yet to get my hands on the devices, but this is what we know so far with release date set for 18th June 2024
Overview on What’s New
What is Surface & Copilot?
You may have heard about a new product from Microsoft called Copilot 😀
When Microsoft released the laptop 6 and Pro 10 earlier this year, they added the new Copilot key to enable Copilot for Windows your personal powerful AI agent. This will continue with laptop 7 & Pro 11
However, this has not been made available in the EU yet due to ongoing conversations between Microsoft and DMA (Digital Markets Act) but is expected to be released in the coming months.
Surface Laptop and Pro
Microsoft have gone with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus chips. This is seen as the biggest upgrade and they say the new Surface Pro is “90% faster than Surface Pro 9,” though it is not clear if that is referring to the Snapdragon X Plus model, the Snapdragon X Elite version, or both.
There is also a new detachable keyboard called Pro flex keyboard, unlike past Pro devices the keyboard does not need to be attached to the device.
The rest of the hardware includes a 13-inch touchscreen with an optional OLED panel, two USB 4 Type-C ports, one USB Type-A connector, and support for up to three external 4K displays. There is also support for Wi-Fi 7, and just like with the previous Surface Pro 9, there will be an integrated 5G option. However, the 5G models will not be available until “later in 2024,”
Surface Laptop comes in a 15- or 13.8-inch option with an ultra-wide, quad-HD front-facing camera is our best Surface camera ever. AI-powered Windows Studio Effects like Automatic Framing, keep you in focus, even as you move around your space. I do have this feature on my laptop 6 and it is impressive.
Recall
This was one of the most interesting features to come out of the announcement. Microsoft Recall, formerly internally called AI Explorer, is a new, special AI-powered search that is set to be integrated into Windows 11 (and subsequent Windows releases). It will have the ability to make note of everything you do on your PC, which you can then search using natural language. In other words, if you were writing a blog post about the latest Surface devices and forgot where you saved it, you should be able to ask Recall, “Where did I save my latest blog post” and it will be able to tell you
Although since the announcement the Information Commissioners Office has contacted Microsoft for more information on the safety of Recall, Which privacy campaigners have a called a potential “privacy nightmare” due to the ability to search through all user’s past activity.
Many devices already do this, but Recall also take screenshot every few seconds and this is a feature that is optional and can be switched on and off.
There is still a lot of question to be answered about Recall. How with it be secured? How will it protect against malicious attacks?
Microsoft will hopefully have answers to these questions in the coming weeks.
Final Thoughts
As expected, Microsoft have introduced AI into the computing world with a member of the team in ZDNET wrote they are ready to ditch their MAC Book after getting hands on with these devices! That is statement not to be taken lightly
There are a lot of new and exciting features, and my Initial feeling is Microsoft have set a new standard for the way we view our devices, Will the narrative of “Any Laptop” will do. Only time will tell. I look forward to getting my hands on the devices and showcasing them to the Microsoft community.
For more information feel free to contact any member of the MicroWarehouse team or myself directly for more information [email protected]