Microsoft announces new PCs with AI chips from Qualcomm

Microsoft is promoting new PCs with powerful CPUs that can run AI functions in Windows without quickly draining battery life.

On Monday, Microsoft introduced a Surface Laptop and Surface Pro tablet equipped with a Qualcomm chip capable of performing AI tasks without an internet connection. Other computer manufacturers, including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, Acer, and Samsung, are introducing AI-ready PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors, which promise better battery life and will run Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot.


Microsoft said at a news conference on its Redmond campus that PCs with AMD and Intel chips will support the Copilot+ standard in the future. The PCs will be able to interpret audio, recommend responses to incoming messages, make adjustments to the Settings app, and even communicate with others about what is on screen.

The Copilot+ PC will start at $999. Microsoft is allowing pre-orders as of Monday, and the gadgets will be available in June.

A Recall feature will allow users to search a log of previous PC activity. Recall relies on AI models that run directly on the device, allowing it to operate offline, and an index of the data is never sent to remote servers. AI models will be able to create visuals based on both written descriptions and drawings.

Microsoft is relying on Qualcomm’s energy-efficient Arm-based CPUs capable of handling AI models to maintain its Windows franchise. Apple’s use of Arm-based chips in MacBooks has led to a shift away from Intel as the leading processor provider, resulting in increased market share.

Microsoft is increasing its efforts to provide consumers and corporate users with ChatGPT-like features. OpenAI, funded by Microsoft, debuted the ChatGPT chatbot in late 2022, and it immediately became popular as a tool for acquiring computer-generated poems, email drafts, and historical event summaries.

Other prominent technology companies, like as Microsoft, quickly began incorporating generative AI into their products. The Bing search engine, as well as the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems, now have a Copilot chatbot based on ChatGPT’s underlying AI algorithms. Those with Office productivity software subscriptions can pay an additional fee to have a Copilot refer to their documents for written responses.

GPT-4 model interior ChatGPT has only completed the essential computer work in Microsoft’s Azure cloud. The new PCs can run some AI models locally without an online connection.

The announcement comes roughly four months after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated on the company’s earnings call that “in 2024, AI will become a first-class part of every PC.”

Microsoft has struggled to increase adoption of Arm-based Windows machines, which have historically underperformed compared to Intel or AMD processors. Some applications have been incompatible.

Running generative AI locally requires more power from computers, making long battery life increasingly important. That might make Windows on Arm more appealing.

Morgan Stanley analysts predict Arm systems to account for 14% of all Windows PC shipments in 2026, up from 0% in 2023, according to a note emailed to clients earlier this month.

Microsoft shares rose 1.2% to $425.34 on Monday afternoon, just shy of a March high. Qualcomm’s stock increased 2% to $197.76, a record close.