This week marks the official launch of the first Copilot+ PCs with the global availability of Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X processors and the first machines to feature them. A short photographic and video tour of the first models that came on the market.
Copilot+ PCs are PCs doped with NPU accelerators and equipped with Windows 11 powered by generative AI that exploits precisely this embedded NPU. The Copilot + PC requires a minimum of 16 GB of RAM, a minimum of 256 GB of SSD storage and an integrated NPU of at least 40 Tops. They can be powered by x86 processors (Intel, AMD) as well as ARM processors (Qualcomm).
This is the theory. In practice, only one PC processor has an NPU of more than 40 TOPS: the Snapdragon X (both in its Plus and Elite versions), a new Qualcomm processor specially designed for this new era. Intel will only offer such an NPU in its next-generation “Lunar Lake” processors, Intel Core, Ultra and AMD, in its future Ryzen 300 Series, which will not arrive in machines until the end of the year.
The arrival of the Copilot + PC also marks the real beginnings of Windows on ARM, in other words, Windows with ARM architecture. This opens a new era for Windows, which promises us smarter computers but also more autonomous computers. The ARM architecture offers performance per watt unmatched in the Intel environment. The "Copilot + PC" often have a battery life of more than 20 hours of use, maintaining normal performance.
At Build 2024, Microsoft has endeavored to entice developers with many development tools that simplify the exploitation of AI models embedded in Windows to see the emergence of a whole new generation of “intelligent” applications that they take advantage of the NPU to realize new uses and new experiences. We can expect to see apps that only work fully on Copilot + PC soon.
To complete the picture and allow this initiative to take off, we also need computers, machines capable of seducing a wide audience despite the necessarily high prices given the minimum specifications required.Lenovo, the world leader in the PC market could not remain on the sidelines . He has put all his know-how into offering a Copilot + PC that stands out in many aspects.
The Yoga Slim 7x is one of the most anticipated models. First of all because it is aesthetic with its ultra-thin curves, its Cosmic Blue color and above all its brilliant OLED touch screen (90 HZ, resolution of 2944×1840 pixels). Secondly, the machine weighs only 1.28 kg despite a 70 Whr battery that gives it an autonomy of more than 25 hours. Equipped with a Snapdragon Elite X (X1E-78-100), it is available in a 16 or 32 GB RAM version and a 512 or 1 TB SSD version. It has 3 USB4 ports.
The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 it is more intended for companies. This device is directly derived from the previous generations of ThinkPad T14 with Intel. It includes the entire arsenal of Lenovo's “Pro” shields, such as ThinkShield protection or the Pluton firmware and hardware shielding mechanism. The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 aims to set a new benchmark in terms of performance and efficiency for Windows-based business laptops. It has 64 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, an FHD + IR camera with a physical shutter and a 1 TB SSD, as well as 2 USB4 ports (40 Gbps) and 2 USB-A 3.2 ports. The machine is ultra light with its 1.24 Kg. Battery life is not specified but should exceed 20 hours.