I have released a few articles already on the Copilot+ PC range, and as we approach the last quarter of this year, we can expect an AMD and Intel range of devices to be launched soon. The expectation is that these devices will be consumer-focused first and followed later by enterprise-focused devices. I have had the pleasure to be utilising a Copilot+ PC for the best part of the last quarter and as I had expected, it is battery life more than anything else that has made this device stand out to me. Whether the difference is Snapdragon, Windows11 or the Copilot+ spec I am not sure, but what I know is that I have a device that is quicker, more stable and long-lasting than any Windows device I have had previously.
Let's recap a few things: what the Copilot+ PC is, who are the chip manufacturers supporting this and what are the expected timelines? Microsoft announced in May this year the launch of the Copilot+ PC range, a specific set of capabilities that include an AI-enabled PC with an NPU that can achieve a minimum of 40 trillion operations per second, a battery life that has to reach or exceed a standard life of 12 hours, and support, obviously, for Windows 11.
Aside from that, the OEMs can build on this specification as they see fit. Initially, there was limited information available, and I have to say it felt like the OEMs were waiting to see how the market reacted. Analysts reports quoted figures from 4% to 80% for Copilot+ adoption and it was hard to decide if, when and how many units would be consumed within the enterprise sector. Qualcomm were the first to provide me with a true oversight: even Microsoft were unsure how many devices and when the OEMs would be launching them.
Qualcomm Copilot+ Overview - June 2024
Copilot today
We are now a few months further along and although not every OEM is shipping their devices, the arrival of the ranges we had been waiting for is expected very soon. I have taken the time to go through the lists I have access to, to collate a view of what Copilot+ PCs are available to you now and how you can differentiate between them. I haven’t looked at bench tests, USB port count or a lot of the smaller details, instead focusing on the usual CPU range, memory, screen size and storage, as these components contribute to the majority of decisions.
As of August 2024, the listed products in the Copilot+ lineup powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor are below. The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 is noticeable in its use of the Snapdragon Elite 84-100 processor, the highest-performing processor of the current range. Although we are usually concerned about battery life with high-end processors, being a Copilot+ PC, all of these devices have to meet Microsoft's defined performance capabilities, including battery life.
ID |
Brand |
Model |
Memory |
Storage |
Screen Size |
Processor |
1 |
Samsung |
Galaxy Book4 Edge |
16gb |
1tb |
16” Touch |
X1E-84-100 |
2 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
64gb |
1tb |
13.8" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
3 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
64gb |
1tb |
15" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
4 |
Microsoft |
Surface Pro 11th Edition |
32gb |
1tb |
13" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
5 |
Dell |
XPS 13 |
32gb |
1tb |
13.4” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
6 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
32gb |
1tb |
13.8" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
7 |
Dell |
Latitude 7455 |
32gb |
1tb |
14” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
8 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
32gb |
1tb |
15" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
9 |
Microsoft |
Surface Pro 11th Edition |
16gb |
1tb |
13" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
10 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
1tb |
13.8" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
11 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
1tb |
15" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
12 |
Lenovo |
Yoga Slim 7x |
32gb |
1tb |
14.5” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
13 |
Dell |
XPS 13 |
32gb |
1tb |
13.4” |
X1E-80-100 |
14 |
Lenovo |
Yoga Slim 7x |
16gb |
1tb |
14.5” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
15 |
HP |
Omnibook x14 |
16gb |
1tb |
14” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
16 |
Dell |
Inspiron 14 plus |
16gb |
1tb |
14” touch |
X1E-80-100 |
17 |
Lenovo |
T14s Gen 6 |
32gb |
1tb |
14” |
X1E-78-100 |
18 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
1tb |
13.8" Touch |
X1P-64-100 |
19 |
Dell |
XPS 13 |
32gb |
512gb |
13.4” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
20 |
Dell |
Latitude 7455 |
32gb |
512gb |
14” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
21 |
Microsoft |
Surface Pro 11th Edition |
16gb |
512gb |
13" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
22 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
512gb |
13.8" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
23 |
Samsung |
Galaxy Book4 Edge |
16gb |
512gb |
14” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
24 |
Dell |
Latitude 7455 |
16gb |
512gb |
14” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
25 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
512gb |
15" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
26 |
Samsung |
Galaxy Book4 Edge |
16gb |
512gb |
16” Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
27 |
Lenovo |
Yoga Slim 7x |
32gb |
512gb |
14.5” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
28 |
Dell |
XPS 13 |
32gb |
512gb |
13.4” |
X1E-80-100 |
29 |
Lenovo |
Yoga Slim 7x |
16gb |
512gb |
14.5” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
30 |
HP |
EliteBook 14 |
16gb |
512gb |
14” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
31 |
HP |
Omnibook x14 |
16gb |
512gb |
14” Touch |
X1E-78-100 |
32 |
Dell |
XPS 13 |
16gb |
512gb |
13.4” |
X1E-80-100 |
33 |
Dell |
Inspiron 14 plus |
16gb |
1tb |
14” touch |
X1P-64-100 |
34 |
Lenovo |
T14s Gen 6 |
32gb |
512gb |
14” |
X1E-78-100 |
35 |
Microsoft |
Surface Pro 11th Edition |
16gb |
512gb |
13" Touch |
X1P-64-100 |
36 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
512gb |
13.8" Touch |
X1P-64-100 |
37 |
Dell |
Latitude 7455 |
16gb |
512gb |
14” Touch |
X1P-64-100 |
38 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
256gb |
15" Touch |
X1E-80-100 |
39 |
Dell |
Inspiron 14 plus |
16gb |
512gb |
14” touch |
X1P-64-100 |
40 |
Dell |
Inspiron 14 plus |
16gb |
512gb |
14” touch |
X1P-64-100 |
41 |
Microsoft |
Surface Pro 11th Edition |
16gb |
256gb |
13" Touch |
X1P-64-100 |
42 |
Microsoft |
Surface Laptop |
16gb |
256gb |
13.8" Touch |
X1P-64-100 |
To help give clarity, the following table gives an overview of the publicly available information for the processors mentioned above; the X1E designation is for the Snapdragon X Elite, and the X1P for the Snapdragon X Plus range. The primary difference between these ranges is the core count, 12 and 10 respectively.
Cores |
Max frequency (Multithreaded) |
Dual Core Boost |
Ardreno TFLOPS |
Tops |
Part Code |
Designation |
12 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.6 |
45 |
X1E-00-1DE |
Snapdragon X Elite |
12 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
45 |
X1E-84-100 |
Snapdragon X Elite |
12 |
3.4 |
4 |
3.8 |
45 |
X1E-80-100 |
Snapdragon X Elite |
12 |
3.4 |
N/A |
3.8 |
45 |
X1E-78-100 |
Snapdragon X Elite |
10 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.8 |
45 |
X1P-64-100 |
Snapdragon X Plus |
Imagine ARM and x86 as two different types of engines. ARM is akin to a highly efficient, lightweight engine that you might find in a hybrid car. It's designed to handle tasks with minimal power consumption, making it perfect for mobile devices and other portable gadgets. On the other hand, x86 is like the powerful, robust engine of a traditional sports car, built for high performance and capable of tackling heavy-duty tasks with ease, but it consumes more power.
For businesses considering ARM-powered devices, this efficiency can translate into longer battery life and lower energy costs. It’s a significant factor for mobile workforces and industries where power efficiency is critical. Moreover, Apple's adoption of ARM chipsets in their Mac computers underscores the viability and performance capabilities of ARM technology in more traditional computing environments.
In today's landscape, with the extensive use of web-based SaaS (Software as a Service) applications, the reliance on physically installed applications has diminished. This shift means that the underlying processor architecture (ARM vs. x86) becomes less impactful on the user experience. Web-based applications can run seamlessly regardless of the chipset, making ARM-powered devices an attractive option due to their energy efficiency and performance.
If your business utilises software drivers, often seen in serial connectivity or physical integrations to third party equipment, you may want to investigate driver availability. The new range of AI enabled PCs with an ARM chipset are an impressive tool that will make a step change in how your remote and mobile workers utilise their hardware; I know it has made a big difference since I adopted a Copilot+ PC as my daily machine.
News and Trends Around ARM-Powered AI Devices
The business world is increasingly recognising the advantages of ARM-powered AI-enabled devices. According to a recent article on TechCrunch, "ARM's architecture is revolutionising the industry, not just in mobile phones but now paving the way for a new era of AI-driven computing." Companies are rapidly adopting these devices, leveraging their energy efficiency and robust performance capabilities.
In a Forbes piece, it was noted that "the integration of AI with ARM chipsets has created a synergy that is unparalleled, enabling faster processing times and more intuitive machine learning applications." Enterprises are particularly interested in how these devices can enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
As reported by Business Insider, "Several Fortune 500 companies have begun integrating ARM-powered AI devices into their IT infrastructure, citing significant reductions in energy consumption and operational costs." This trend underscores the growing acceptance and trust in ARM technology as a reliable and future-proof solution.
Moreover, industry experts predict a continued rise in the adoption of ARM-based systems. A report from Gartner suggests that, "by the end of 2024, ARM processors will power over 30% of all new enterprise devices, a testament to their growing influence and the shifting paradigms in computing hardware."
These developments highlight that businesses are not just adopting ARM-powered AI devices for their current benefits, but also as a strategic investment in future technological advancements. The amalgamation of AI capabilities with ARM's efficiency is setting new benchmarks and transforming traditional business operations.
My Perspective
Do I agree with this ARM future vision? To some extent, yes. However, I also anticipate that AMD and Intel chipsets will deliver comparable performance and efficiencies upon their release, although Qualcomm's track record in efficient silicon is exemplary. It's crucial for businesses to consider the long term when contemplating a device refresh or replacement.
With Windows 10 reaching its end of life in October 2025, many companies will be looking to replace unsupported hardware, with plans to order new equipment early in 2025. This strategy makes sense from a business and financial planning perspective.
Nevertheless, if many companies choose this timing, there could be significant supply issues. Businesses might need to place orders sooner than expected. Investing in an ARM-enabled device currently available in the market can safeguard investment, as these devices are likely to offer more than a three-year lifecycle, especially with NPUs managing resources such as battery life.
The end of life for Windows 10 is a compelling reason for hardware refreshes; however, no similar catalyst is anticipated in the years following this event.
Contributors
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Tim Russell
Chief Technologist - Modern Workspace