Buying a Windows laptop is harder than ever

Buying a Windows PC was easy until Microsoft launched the PC Copilot+. Unlike the current generation Windows 11 PCs, where you can choose the processor easily and based on the features you want, this new breed of AI PCs has a third component - the NPU. This Neural Processing Unit (NPU) unleashes the power to process AI tasks locally, improving performance in a number of areas.

But is the NPU different enough to delay the purchase and wait for the PC Copilot+ to become mainstream? Let's make this difficult choice easy for you!

What makes a PC Copilot+?

Copilot+ PCs include a processor with an integrated NPU. To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, the NPU must deliver 40 TOPS or more of performance, have a minimum of 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Copilot+ PCs are also designed with security and privacy in mind. Microsoft has partnered with chipmakers like Qualcomm to add the Pluton security chip, which is another mandatory requirement.

Currently, only the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite/Plus processors offer a powerful enough NPU (45 TOPS) to qualify, and this ARM chip is the only option for laptop manufacturers, at least for a while, before Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA "enter the fray" and their processors are approved.

Most laptop manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Samsung, and of course, Microsoft, have or will soon release Copilot+ PCs. With Microsoft's increased focus on AI, users will have more options in late 2024 and early 2025.

How are current Windows 11 PCs and Copilot+ PCs different?

The reason why Copilot+ PCs have high-end hardware requirements is to ensure that these devices can run many AI-powered features. Copilot+ PCs offer local AI features like Auto SR, Recall (which some consider a privacy nightmare), Cocreator in Paint, and many others that can only be handled by the NPU. These PCs have built-in small language models (SLMs) that help the NPU handle local tasks.

Will these features make a difference? It depends on what you’re looking for. Take Auto SR, for example. It’s an upscaling feature that ensures sharp images without sacrificing gaming performance. Since it relies on the NPU, it frees up the CPU and GPU to run the game. Otherwise, that burden would fall on those components as well.

Processing AI requests locally helps reduce output times. In the official demo, Microsoft created an image in Paint with a text prompt and a basic outline in a few seconds. If you do that with Microsoft’s Image Creator service or Copilot, the experience will be slower.

Both PCs run the same operating system, but the Copilot+ PCs have some exclusive AI features, some of which are extremely useful in everyday use. You can also take advantage of the NPU power in apps like Adobe, CapCut, etc. Another lucrative aspect of these Copilot+ laptops is their performance and power efficiency. With Qualcomm processors, you can expect good performance without worrying about excessive battery drain.

Do you need an AI PC right now?

The short answer is no. Of course, if you want to be an early adopter of AI in Windows beyond what Copilot can offer, get the Copilot+ PC. It’s designed with work and productivity in mind, although it can still play games (but not provide a stellar experience).

On the other hand, a regular Windows 11 laptop is still a great option because of the variety you get here. Not to mention the fact that mid-range Windows laptops won’t meet your hardware requirements. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t care much about Microsoft’s AI features, there’s no reason to splurge on an expensive Copilot+ PC.

Another thing to consider is the type of processor available for current Copilot+ PCs. You can only buy PCs running ARM processors right now, which means app support is significantly less. The only way to run incompatible apps is through an emulator (Prism), so performance will likely suffer. Granted, things will improve as app developers build ARM versions. But until they do, you’re spending thousands of dollars on a machine that doesn’t offer the same software experience.

If you can, waiting is your best option. Intel and AMD have just announced new processors with more powerful NPUs than Qualcomm. When OEMs integrate Intel and AMD AI chips into laptops, you’ll also have the choice of ARM or x64 processors. There’s not much variety right now, especially if you’re looking for a gaming machine.

The PC Copilot+ is a game-changer and could very well lead the way to the AI-powered future we all want. However, they are still early-generation devices and things will only get better over time. However, if you’re looking to buy a new laptop during this transition period, it’s unfortunately harder than ever to do so.