Microsoft Surface Copilot + PC Event: Everything Revealed in 13 Minutes

CNET

20 May 202413:01

Summary

TLDRMicrosoft introduces Co-Pilot Plus PCs, a new class of Windows PCs designed to harness distributed AI across the edge and cloud. These devices feature an innovative architecture with a CPU, GPU, and an NPU capable of 40 trillion operations per second. They are the most powerful and thinnest Windows PCs yet, offering advanced AI with Microsoft Co-Pilot, which integrates GPT-40 for enhanced text, voice, and vision capabilities. The Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, as the first Co-Pilot Plus PCs, boast impressive performance, long battery life, and new AI experiences. Pre-orders start today, with availability set for June 18th.

Takeaways

🌟 Microsoft is introducing a new class of Windows PCs called 'Co-Pilot Plus PCs', designed to leverage the power of distributed AI across the edge and cloud.
🚀 These new PCs are engineered with a new systems architecture powered by a CPU, GPU, and an all-new Neural Processing Unit (NPU), capable of 40 trillion operations per second.
🔋 Co-Pilot Plus PCs are the fastest Windows PCs ever built, boasting 58% faster performance than the most advanced MacBook Air with the M3 processor, along with all-day battery life.
💡 Microsoft Co-Pilot has been updated to be an everyday AI companion, offering a simplified, more personal, and faster experience with flexible app usage.
🔍 Co-Pilot integrates with Windows, providing helpful suggestions and enabling users to perform tasks more efficiently, such as editing photos without opening an app.
🤖 GPT-40, with advanced text, voice, and vision capabilities, will be incorporated into Co-Pilot, enhancing its ability to understand and assist users in various applications like gaming.
💻 Co-Pilot Plus PCs come with a minimum of 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD storage, and an integrated NPU, marking a significant leap in AI performance for PCs.
🔋 The NPU in Co-Pilot Plus PCs is highly efficient, consuming minimal power and contributing to the unprecedented battery life of these devices.
📡 Co-Pilot Plus PCs on ARM architecture, in partnership with Qualcomm, will offer up to 15 hours of web browsing and up to 22 hours of local video playback, exceeding the latest MacBook Air.
🎨 The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are the first Co-Pilot Plus PCs, featuring the longest battery life in their category and a sleek, modern design.
📅 Pre-orders for the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro start today, with availability scheduled for June 18th.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the new class of Windows PCs introduced in the script?
-The main focus is on harnessing the power of distributed AI across the edge and cloud, creating a new category of devices called 'co-pilot plus PCs' that can instantly see, hear, and reason about users' intents and surroundings.
What are the key features of the co-pilot plus PCs?
-The key features include being the most powerful Windows PCs ever built, providing access to advanced AI with Microsoft co-pilot, and introducing new productivity, creativity, and communication capabilities.
What is the new systems architecture introduced in co-pilot plus PCs?
-The new systems architecture is powered by the CPU, GPU, and an all-new NPU (Neural Processing Unit) running at 40 trillion operations per second.
How does the co-pilot plus PC compare to the MacBook Air with the M3 processor in terms of speed?
-The co-pilot plus PCs are 58% faster than the most advanced MacBook Air with the M3 processor.
What updates have been made to Microsoft co-pilot in the context of the new Windows PCs?
-Microsoft co-pilot has been updated to be more personal, faster, and more flexible, with the ability to resize, snap, or run in full screen. It will also be integrated into Windows settings and file explorer for a more seamless user experience.
What is the significance of the GPT 40 technology being introduced to co-pilot?
-GPT 40, with its text, voice, and vision capabilities, will enhance co-pilot's ability to understand and adapt to various contexts, such as assisting with Minecraft gameplay in the provided example.
What are the minimum specifications for the co-pilot plus PCs in terms of RAM and storage?
-Every co-pilot plus PC will have a minimum of 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage.
How does the introduction of npus impact AI performance in co-pilot plus PCs?
-The npus specialize in matrix math needed for AI, enabling lightning-fast AI that is always working, even with multiple AI workloads running concurrently, and they consume very little power.
What is the significance of the partnership with Qualcomm in the development of co-pilot plus PCs?
-The partnership with Qualcomm has led to the design of an entirely new chip for the co-pilot plus PCs on the ARM architecture, optimized for performance and battery life.
What are the battery life improvements in the new co-pilot plus PCs compared to previous models?
-The new co-pilot plus PCs on Snapdragon X deliver up to 15 hours of web browsing and up to 22 hours of local video playback, which is 20% more than the latest MacBook Air.
What are the unique features of the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro introduced in the script?
-The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are designed to be the ultimate co-pilot plus PCs with the longest battery life, modern design, improved performance, and new AI experiences. They also feature Wi-Fi 7, OLED with HDR display, and an ultrawide front-facing camera.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introducing Distributed AI with Co-Pilot Plus PCs

The script introduces a new era of computing where AI is distributed across cloud and edge devices, promising enhanced privacy, reduced latency, and powerful capabilities. The speaker announces 'Co-Pilot Plus PCs', a new class of Windows PCs designed to leverage this distributed AI. These PCs are engineered to be incredibly powerful, thin, light, and beautiful, with the most advanced AI features available through Microsoft Co-Pilot. The new system architecture is highlighted, featuring a CPU, GPU, and a new Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second, making these the fastest Windows PCs ever built. The comparison with the MacBook Air's M3 processor is made, emphasizing the superior speed and all-day battery life of the Co-Pilot Plus PCs.

05:00

🤖 Advanced AI Companionship with Microsoft Co-Pilot

The script discusses the updated Microsoft Co-Pilot, an AI companion that integrates with Windows to simplify tasks and enhance productivity. Co-Pilot can be summoned with a tap on the keyboard or taskbar, offering a personalized and flexible app experience. It allows for multitasking and quick access to information, as demonstrated by the interaction with a user playing Minecraft. The script also mentions the integration of GPT 40, a powerful AI with text, voice, and vision capabilities, which will be available in Co-Pilot. The video preview showcases Co-Pilot's ability to understand context and provide real-time assistance within applications, highlighting its potential to become an integral part of the Windows experience.

10:04

🚀 Unveiling the Next-Generation Surface Laptop and Pro

The script unveils the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, designed as the ultimate Co-Pilot Plus PCs. These devices are the most powerful and feature the longest battery life in the Surface lineup. They showcase modern design elements with thinner bezels and are available in new color options. The Surface Laptop is claimed to be more than 80% faster than its predecessor and offers an extended battery life, capable of up to 22 hours of local video playback. It also supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster connectivity. The Surface Pro is highlighted for its leading performance, incredible battery life, and new AI experiences in a flexible design. It features a new OLED with HDR display, an ultrawide front-facing camera, and support for 4K video on the rear camera. Additionally, the Surface Pro introduces a new Flex keyboard, designed for both attached and detached use, offering a more comfortable and adaptable setup. Pre-orders for these devices are announced, with availability set for June 18th.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Distributed AI

Distributed AI refers to the concept of artificial intelligence being spread across multiple devices and systems rather than being centralized in a single location. In the context of the video, this term is crucial as it underpins the vision of AI experiences that leverage both cloud and edge computing. The script mentions that the 'richest AI experiences will harness the power of the cloud and the edge working together in concert,' which exemplifies the idea of distributed AI.

💡Edge Computing

Edge computing is a part of Distributed AI where data processing is done closer to the source of the data, rather than in a centralized data-processing warehouse. The video discusses the importance of edge computing in reducing latency and ensuring privacy by processing data locally on devices, which is integral to the new class of Windows PCs introduced.

💡Co-Pilot Plus PCs

Co-Pilot Plus PCs is a new category of Windows PCs introduced in the video. These PCs are designed to take advantage of distributed AI and are engineered to work seamlessly with AI capabilities. The script describes them as 'engineered to unleash the power of distributed AI across the edge and Cloud,' highlighting their advanced technical capabilities and their role in the future of AI-enhanced computing.

💡Microsoft Co-Pilot

Microsoft Co-Pilot is an AI companion that assists users in their daily tasks. The video script discusses updates to Microsoft Co-Pilot, emphasizing its integration with Windows and its ability to provide personalized and efficient assistance. It is exemplified by the script's mention of 'Microsoft Co-Pilot your everyday AI companion by reimagining what Co-Pilot can do on Windows.'

💡NPU (Neural Processing Unit)

An NPU is a specialized hardware component designed to handle the complex mathematical operations required for AI and machine learning tasks. The video script introduces a new systems architecture for Co-Pilot Plus PCs that includes an NPU, capable of '40 trillion operations per second,' demonstrating the significant leap in AI performance these PCs can deliver.

💡GPT-40

GPT-40, as mentioned in the video, is a version of the advanced AI language model with capabilities in text, voice, and vision. It is set to be integrated into Microsoft Co-Pilot, enhancing its ability to understand and interact with users in a more natural and helpful manner. The script provides an example of GPT-40 in action during a Minecraft gameplay scenario, showcasing its real-time interaction capabilities.

💡Surface Laptop

The Surface Laptop is a line of high-performance laptops from Microsoft. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as part of the new Co-Pilot Plus PCs category. The script describes the new Surface Laptop as having 'the longest battery life we have ever delivered' and being 'more than 80% faster than our previous generation,' emphasizing its role in the new era of AI-enhanced productivity devices.

💡Surface Pro

The Surface Pro is a line of 2-in-1 devices that combine the features of a tablet and a laptop. The video script introduces a new version of the Surface Pro that is part of the Co-Pilot Plus PCs, featuring 'leading performance, incredible battery life, and new AI experiences.' It is designed to be adaptable and powerful, with features such as Wi-Fi 7 and an optional 5G connection.

💡AI Performance

AI performance refers to the capabilities and efficiency of a device or system in executing AI-related tasks. The video script discusses the significant improvement in AI performance with the new Co-Pilot Plus PCs, stating that they are 'the fastest Windows PCs ever built' and can handle AI workloads 'even with multiple AI workloads running concurrently.'

💡Battery Life

Battery life is a critical aspect of mobile computing devices, indicating how long a device can operate without needing to be charged. The video emphasizes the impressive battery life of the new Co-Pilot Plus PCs, with the Surface Laptop boasting 'up to 22 hours of local video playback,' which is a substantial improvement over previous models and contributes to the overall user experience.

Highlights

Introduction of a new class of Windows PCs called 'co-pilot plus PCs' designed to unleash the power of distributed AI across the edge and cloud.

Co-pilot plus PCs are the most powerful Windows PCs ever built, offering advanced AI with Microsoft co-pilot and new productivity, creativity, and communication capabilities.

New systems architecture in co-pilot plus PCs, powered by CPU, GPU, and an all-new NPU running at 40 trillion operations per second.

Co-pilot plus PCs are 58% faster than the most advanced MacBook Air with the M3 processor and have all-day battery life.

Microsoft co-pilot updated as an everyday AI companion with a more personal, faster, and flexible app experience.

Co-pilot integrates with Windows settings to provide helpful suggestions and simplify configuration.

New co-pilot features allow for natural conversation and assistance in applications like playing Minecraft.

GPT 40 with text, voice, and vision capabilities will be available in co-pilot, enhancing the AI experience.

Co-pilot plus PCs come with a minimum of 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD storage, and an integrated neural processing unit for AI performance.

Efficiency focus in co-pilot plus PCs leading to unprecedented battery life, even with AI workloads running concurrently.

Debut of co-pilot plus PCs on ARM architecture with Snapdragon X Series, in partnership with Qualcomm, for enhanced performance and battery life.

Surface Laptop and Surface Pro introduced as the first co-pilot plus PCs, offering ultimate performance and AI experiences.

New Surface Laptop redesigned with modern lines, thinner bezels, and longer battery life than any previous generation.

New Surface Pro features a new OLED with HDR display, ultra-wide front-facing camera, and is up to 90% faster than Surface Pro 9.

Introduction of the Surface Pro Flex keyboard, offering a more comfortable and adaptable setup for various usage scenarios.

Pre-orders for co-pilot plus PCs start today, with availability on June 18th.