The Snapdragon X Elite-powered Copilot+ Laptop review

I'm always on the lookout for new and innovative technologies that can improve my productivity and enhance my work experience. That's why I was intrigued by the Copilot+ laptop: a device that promises to deliver exceptional performance, battery life, and compatibility with a range of applications.  

Copilot+ is a Microsoft brand name for laptops that are built to a certain set of guidelines, and are equipped with a Neural Processing Unit, or NPU. This one is powered by a Snapdragon® X Elite processor from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., which uses ARM architecture instead of the conventional x86 design. ARM stands for Advanced RISC Machine, and it is a type of processor that is claimed to be more efficient, energy-saving, and secure than traditional processor models. Historically, we have seen ARM processors widely used in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, but they are relatively new to the laptop market. 

The benefits of ARM-based devices 

So, what are the benefits? Well, for starters, the battery life is phenomenal. I received my first Copilot+ laptop 4 days ago, and it had 95% charge out of the box. Today, for the first time, I have plugged the charger in. This means I got two days of uninterrupted business use without worrying about finding a power outlet or carrying a bulky adapter (two of those 4 days were a weekend so usage was light). This is perfect for me, since I often travel for work and need a reliable device that can last for hours on end. 

Another advantage of the Copilot+ laptop is that it is incredibly lightweight and portable. The device weighs next to nothing, and it fits easily in my backpack or briefcase. My boss is pretty sure it is actually lighter than his mobile phone, and he is not exaggerating. The Copilot+ laptop has a sleek and elegant design, with a thin bezel and all of the expected accessories; a built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers, so I can join video calls and conferences with ease, which I did over the last few days. Equipped with two USB A ports, two USB C ports (one for charging), a 3.5mm jack port and an HDMI socket, this device comes extremely well-equipped for something so powerful, efficient and light. 

The Copilot+ laptop also boasts remarkable performance and compatibility with various applications. The Snapdragon Compute Platforms are fast and responsive, and can handle multiple tasks and programs without lagging or crashing. The Copilot+ laptop runs on Windows 11, which is optimised for ARM architecture and supports most of the software and tools that I need for work. I can use Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, Edge, and many other apps without any issues. 

Any drawbacks? 

There is only one minor drawback that I have encountered so far with the Copilot+ laptop, and that is the compatibility with some legacy applications that are not designed for ARM architecture. For example, I use a 10-year-old colour laser printer that I inherited from my father, but the drivers are not ARM compatible and the advice from the vendor is to use native Windows drivers and not theirs. I believe vendors will start making their drivers and software more compatible, even maybe just tuning them to make use of the built in x86 emulator that is present in the Windows 11 Arm version (emulation is a process that simulates the x86 environment on the ARM device). 

The Verdict 

Overall, I’m very impressed and satisfied with the Copilot+ laptop, and I think it represents the next generation of end-user computing that we need to take a very serious look at. The Copilot+ laptop offers a unique combination of power, efficiency, and versatility, which can meet the demands of modern work and lifestyle. The Copilot+ laptop is not just a laptop; it is a transformation of our Modern Workspace that assists me in achieving my goals and enhancing my experience. 

The device I’m using is a Lenovo T14s, and apart from the printer driver, which took 10 minutes to fix, I’m impressed enough to continue using this as my new daily device. One experience I have not yet been able to test is the Recall feature. This is planned for the Window Insider programme, and although I am enrolled and running the pre-release channel, Recall is not yet delivered to this device. Being dependent on this device precludes me from the canary or beta channels, so I’ll keep waiting for now. 

However, there are other Copilot+ features that I have been able to use, such as the Studio Effects built into the Windows 11 OS that utilise the NP. The entire platform and performance management capability that is married to the NPU gives me this long-lasting battery and reliable experience, and even the live captions that works on any on device audio stream can help me with video or audio content. 

Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.