Windows Copilot+ PC: Is It Worth It?
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2025 marks the biggest shift in the Windows ecosystem in 15 years. The new "Copilot+ PCs" are not just normal laptops with a sticker. They use a fundamentally different architecture (often ARM-based) and include a dedicated AI brain called an NPU.
1. What Makes Them Different?
Copilot+ PCs (like the Surface Laptop 7, Dell XPS 13 2025, or HP OmniBook) are powered by next-gen chips like the Snapdragon X Elite, AMD Ryzen AI 300, or Intel Core Ultra (Series 2).
- NPU (Neural Processing Unit): A specialized chip capable of 40+ TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) dedicated solely to AI tasks. This saves your main CPU for other work.
- Battery Life: Real-world testing shows 15-20 hours of battery life, finally rivaling the MacBook Air.
- Instant On: They wake up from sleep instantly, just like your smartphone. No more waiting.
2. Exclusive Features
If you don't have a Copilot+ PC, you don't get these AI features in Windows 11:
- Recall: The "photographic memory" timeline that helps you find anything you've seen (see our separate guide).
- Cocreator in Paint: Sketch a crude stick figure, describe it in text, and watch AI turn it into a masterpiece in real-time.
- Live Captions: Translate ANY audio (YouTube, Zoom, a movie file) into English subtitles in real-time, locally on the device.
- Windows Studio Effects: Blur background, eye contact correction, and auto-framing in calls without slowing down your PC.
✅ The Good
- Incredible battery life (best in class)
- Silent fans (most of the time)
- Premium build quality & screens
- AI features are actually useful
❌ The Bad
- Gaming performance is weak (on ARM chips)
- Some older printer drivers may not work
- Expensive starting price ($999+)
🏁 Verdict: Should You Buy?
YES, if you are a student, writer, office worker, or traveler. The battery life alone is worth the switch. It is the best Windows laptop experience in years.
NO, if you are a hardcore gamer or video editor who relies on specific plugins. Stick to traditional x86 gaming laptops with dedicated NVIDIA RTX cards for now.