Upgrade Your Windows Copilot+ PC: 8 Essential Changes for 2025
The era of AI-infused Copilot+ PCs is upon us, with Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 CPUs leading the charge. These cutting-edge devices are no longer limited to Arm-powered laptops; they are now infiltrating the traditional x86 laptop market. The promise of at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS) in neural processing units (NPU), along with a minimum of 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, sets a new standard for Windows PCs in 2025. But is this enough to truly revolutionize the laptop experience?
Windows Needs Better AI Integration
Despite the impressive hardware specs, Copilot+ PCs fall short of providing a transformative AI experience. The initial launch offered only minor features in select apps, leaving users craving more impactful AI integration. Imagine a Windows AI system that anticipates your needs, streamlines tasks, and enhances productivity. That’s the level of innovation that Copilot+ PCs should strive for.
Privacy and Choice Must Take Priority
Microsoft’s Recall feature, designed to capture PC activity through AI snapshots, sparked controversy over privacy concerns. While Recall aimed to enhance user experience, the backlash forced Microsoft to reevaluate its approach. Moving forward, user privacy, control, and transparency should guide the development of AI features. Establishing trust from the outset is crucial to the success of Copilot+ PCs.
Copilot Needs Offline Functionality
The promise of Copilot AI assistance on Copilot+ PCs falls short, as most features require an internet connection and additional subscriptions for full functionality. To truly deliver on the Copilot experience, Microsoft should explore offline capabilities, especially for business users seeking data security and reliability. Redefining Copilot’s role from a conversational companion to a powerful productivity tool is key to enhancing user satisfaction.
AI Image Features Require Enhancement
While Copilot+ PCs boast AI image generation capabilities, the current models lack sophistication compared to cloud-based alternatives. Offline functionality, independent of Microsoft accounts, and improved image quality are essential for making AI image features on par with industry standards. Users expect seamless, high-quality image generation that aligns with modern AI advancements.
GPU Support for Enhanced AI Performance
Gaming PCs, equipped with powerful GPUs, offer superior performance for local AI tasks compared to NPUs. Microsoft’s focus on NPUs neglects the potential of GPUs in accelerating AI applications. Recognizing the versatility of GPUs in AI processing can lead to a more comprehensive AI strategy that caters to a broader range of devices, including gaming laptops and desktop PCs.
Expanding Copilot+ PC Accessibility
The exclusivity of Copilot+ PCs to thin-and-light laptops limits their reach among desktop and gaming users. Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm must diversify their processor offerings to encompass various form factors, ensuring that Copilot+ features are accessible across a wider range of devices. By expanding compatibility, Copilot+ PCs can cater to a broader audience, driving innovation and adoption.
Encouraging App Development with Copilot Runtime
Microsoft’s Copilot Runtime presents a unique opportunity for developers to leverage AI models built into Windows. However, widespread adoption hinges on app developers creating AI-powered applications that utilize the Copilot Runtime. Incentivizing developers to embrace this new framework is crucial for establishing Copilot+ PCs as a distinct platform for AI-driven software.
Price Reduction for Market Penetration
To propel Copilot+ PCs into the mainstream, price adjustments are imperative. Lowering the cost barrier will encourage wider adoption and incentivize app developers to create specialized software for Copilot+ PCs. By offering more affordable options without compromising performance, Copilot+ PCs can position themselves as competitive alternatives to conventional laptops, driving innovation and accessibility in the AI computing landscape.
In conclusion, the evolution of Copilot+ PCs hinges on addressing key challenges in AI integration, privacy, offline functionality, image generation, GPU support, device compatibility, app development, and pricing. By prioritizing user needs, expanding capabilities, and fostering innovation, Copilot+ PCs can redefine the future of AI computing for all users.
Chris Hoffman is the author of Windows Intelligence, a free email newsletter that brings the latest Windows PC news, tips, and tricks to inboxes each week. He’s also the former editor-in-chief of How-To Geek and a veteran tech journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, PCMag, Reader’s Digest, and other publications.
