Surface Pro & Laptop with Copilot: Snapdragon & Intel Options

Microsoft Introduces New Surface Devices with Copilot+ PC Certification

During an event held in New York City on Thursday, Microsoft announced the addition of two new models to its Surface line of personal computers. Both the newly released Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are certified as Copilot+ PCs.

This certification program, revealed in May 2024, is designed to highlight business-oriented devices specifically engineered for the company’s Copilot AI platform.

Integrating AI into the Windows 11 Experience

The launch represents Microsoft’s effort to more fully integrate its artificial intelligence capabilities into the Windows 11 operating system. These new Surfaces arrive following a surge of Copilot+ PCs showcased after CES, with contributions from manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

Copilot+ designation signifies the inclusion of a neural processing unit (NPU). This component enables features such as Live Translation, Super Resolution, Recall, and Studio Effects to be processed directly on the device.

Processor Options: Intel Core Ultra vs. Snapdragon X

Both devices are offered with a choice of either an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) or a Snapdragon X processor. Qualcomm recently unveiled plans at CES to integrate its 4nm Snapdragon chip into systems in the mid-range market.

The Snapdragon processor prioritizes extended battery life and a more accessible price point compared to the Intel alternative. Qualcomm anticipates “multi-day” battery performance on a single charge, contrasting with Intel’s estimated 22 hours.

However, a trade-off exists in system performance. Brett Ostrum, Surface corporate VP at Microsoft, indicated to TechCrunch that Copilot performance should remain largely unaffected by this difference.

AI Workloads and Processor Capabilities

For the Snapdragon configuration, an eight-core processor is utilized, featuring a dedicated NPU optimized for managing AI-related tasks. The Series 2 Intel Core chips, conversely, are reported to deliver up to a 28% increase in CPU performance and a 98% improvement in graphics performance.

Connectivity and the Future of AI Processing

Later in the year, a 5G option will become available for the Surface Laptop for business users. This connectivity is crucial for a strategy that combines on-device AI processing with cloud-based computation.

Currently, many generative AI platforms demand substantial resources beyond the capacity of typical consumer devices, necessitating offloading workloads to remote servers.

However, recent developments, such as DeepSeek’s unveiling, have re-emphasized the potential of lighter-weight, specialized models capable of running directly on a laptop. Apple’s Apple Intelligence platform also leverages smaller, locally-run models.

Microsoft is demonstrably interested in expanding on-device AI experiences. Similar to Apple Intelligence, however, many of Copilot’s functions require more powerful hardware than is presently feasible for laptop integration.

The inclusion of 5G aims to ensure consistent connectivity, preventing interruptions to Copilot queries due to a lack of access to remote servers.

Device Specifications and Pricing

The Surface Pro for Business features a 13-inch display, with an OLED option available, and incorporates a built-in NFC reader for enhanced security, compatible with keys from YubiKey. The Surface Laptop is offered in both 13.8-inch and 15-inch sizes.

Models equipped with Intel Core processors begin at $1,500, representing a $400 premium over the Snapdragon versions. The Snapdragon devices are primarily targeted towards consumers, though they can also be utilized in business settings.

The 5G-enabled Surface Laptop will be released sometime in 2025, with pricing details to be announced at a later date.

New Accessories

A new USB4 Dock is also being introduced, priced at $200. This hub provides connectivity through two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, Ethernet, and HDMI. It will be available on February 18, coinciding with the launch of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro.