The company revealed its vision for AI-centric Copilot+ PCs, which are designed to run generative AI processes locally. Alongside Microsoft's own Surface systems, several other manufacturers will also produce Copilot+ PCs.

To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, a system must meet specific criteria, including a neural processing unit (NPU) performance of at least 40 TOPs, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. This enables the PC to run AI processes locally, mirroring a strategy seen in flagship smartphones like Google Pixel devices.

Microsoft claims that Copilot+ PCs are 58 percent faster than the M3-powered MacBook Air. These systems will support numerous multi-modal small language models, powering features such as a standalone Copilot app.

Among the newly unveiled Surface devices are the Surface Laptop and the Surface Pro. The Surface Laptop features thinner bezels, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chipset, and comes in 13.8-inch and 15-inch sizes. Microsoft claims it is over 86 percent faster than the previous generation and offers up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. The 15-inch model boasts an impressive battery life of up to 22 hours while playing videos locally and up to 15 hours during web browsing. The Surface Laptop will be available for purchase starting June 18, with prices starting at $999.

Meanwhile, the Surface Pro will introduce an OLED display option for the first time. It is said to be 90 percent faster than its predecessor and offers up to 14 hours of local video playback on a single charge. The device starts at $1,000 for the version with an LCD screen and comes with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 256GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM. For those opting for the OLED display, pricing begins at $1,500. It's worth noting that the physical keyboard is sold separately, with the new Flex Keyboard priced at $350 or $450 bundled with a Surface Pen.

Microsoft's Copilot+ initiative has also garnered support from third-party manufacturers. Samsung, ASUS, Lenovo, Acer, and Dell have unveiled their own Copilot+ PCs, while HP has introduced the Omnibook X and the Elitebook Ultra. HP has rebranded its systems under a unified label called Omni, bidding farewell to Spectre, Pavilion, and Envy. The Omnibook X, running on a Snapdragon X Elite chip, is touted to provide up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge and starts at $1,200 with 1TB of storage. The Elitebook Ultra starts at $1,700. Both HP devices are set to ship on June 18.

Microsoft has also revamped Windows 11 to be optimized for Arm-based systems. By leveraging AI and integrating AI APIs directly into the operating system, Microsoft aims to enhance the performance of Arm-based Windows devices. The new Windows 11 features a redesigned kernel and compiler, as well as an emulator called Prism to run x86 and x64 apps, offering 20 percent faster performance than previous emulation technology.

Furthermore, Windows 11 will support a range of native apps on Arm-based systems, including Microsoft's core software and popular third-party applications such as Chrome, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsApp, Blender, Affinity Suite, DaVinci Resolve, and many Adobe products.

Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs introduce an array of exciting features. One standout feature is Recall, which acts as an enhanced version of Timeline from Windows 10. Recall utilizes natural language prompts to help users find and retrieve past engagements on their PCs, extending to web browsing history, email content, documents, and chat threads. Microsoft assures users that the data accessed by Recall remains on their devices and is not used to train AI models.

The Copilot app has also undergone a redesign, allowing users to leave it as a sidebar or view it in fullscreen mode. Items from other applications can be dragged into the Copilot app, facilitating seamless integration and enhancing the overall user experience.

Microsoft is also integrating Cocreator, a feature previously available in limited capacity, into Microsoft Paint. This image generation tool offers new options, including a creativity slider that allows users to adjust how much AI influences their original work.

Other notable features include Live Captions, which can translate dozens of languages into English in real-time for both live and pre-recorded videos, and Super Resolution, an option in Windows Photos that streamlines the process of restoring old images.

Furthermore, Microsoft has unveiled its own upscaling technology for games called Auto Super Resolution. Similar to NVIDIA's DLSS, this solution leverages AI to enhance graphics and boost refresh rates without sacrificing performance.

Microsoft's Copilot AI and Surface event has set high expectations for the future of AI-centric PCs and the Surface lineup. With their powerful capabilities and innovative features, these new offerings aim to redefine the computing experience for users.

Stay updated on the latest developments from Microsoft's Copilot AI and Surface event today!