What is a Copilot+ PC? All models, features, and India availability explained

tech.hindustantimes.com:

OpenAI's ChatGPT helped kickstart the AI boom in the tech industry, and it's hard to come across a new product or service today that's not “powered by AI.” Everything from your phones, to cars, to even a binocular by Swarovski, seem to have some form of AI that claims to change your life. PCs and laptops too are getting a major AI makeover in 2024, and Microsoft is going all-in in the hopes to strike a resounding blow to Apple.

Microsoft introduced Copilot in September 2023, its AI assistant in Windows 11, and most newer laptops that launched at the start of this year with Intel's Core Ultra or AMD's Ryzen 8040 series CPUs, come with a dedicated Copilot button on the keyboard. In May 2024, Microsoft announced a new category of Windows computers called “Copilot+ PCs” or AI PCs.

These devices claim to be able to run many AI tasks directly on-device thanks to a powerful dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), and promise up to 22 hours of video playback. Microsoft even goes as far to boast that they can outperform an M3 MacBook Air 15-inch. The latter especially is a pretty big claim, considering how Apple silicon's performance has leapfrogged ahead of the Windows competition.

We'll be breaking down all the burning questions surrounding Copilot+ PCs in this article, so you have the best clarity before your next purchase.

Microsoft defines a Copilot+ PC as a premium Windows device that has a dedicated neural processing unit or NPU for running AI tasks, all-day battery life, access to advanced AI models like GPT-4o, and exclusive AI features. These devices include just laptops for now, and prices start at $999 (roughly Rs. 83,400). In India, we can expect these laptops to cost a bit more due to taxes and duty, so expect a starting price of around 1 Lakh Rupees.

Copilot+ PCs should not be confused with Copilot laptops that launched at CES 2024. That ‘plus' symbol is the main distinguishing factor, and how you can identify such a laptop.

Also read: Microsoft Copilot chatbot is