Latest news with #CopilotPlus
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Copilot For Your PCs: Microsoft Will Soon Bring AI Features For Desktop Users
Last Updated: Microsoft is going big on AI for Copilot laptops and soon we will see these features coming to desktop PCs thanks to Intel and other chip giants. The Windows AI ambitions could get a big push later this year as Microsoft plans to bring Copilot features to the desktop PC range. The company has worked hard to make AI laptops available in the market over the last few years and with the Windows 10 support deadline nearing, it needs more hardware to tempt people to invest and upgrade to the latest versions. We have seen the Snapdragon X and AMD processors offering AI Copilot features to a more manageable range of around Rs 65,000 but desktop upgrades will undoubtedly give more people to improve their systems with AI and not invest really big. Intel already has launched new processors with NPU but their limitations mean you cannot run Copilot AI features on the desktop. But new reports suggest the chip maker is readying a new version of the Arrow Lake processor that will support advanced NPU to make it compatible for Copilot Plus features. It might be important for Intel and Microsoft to diversify its AI offerings, and eventually make it available on gaming-powered machines, the ZDNet Korea edition has been quoted saying. Speaking of which, the AI laptop models are lacking the power that heavy users demand, and the price tag of the AI laptops/PC and mini PCs have to come down, if the industry wants to push the growth levels beyond the meager single digit figures in the next few years. We have tested a few of these AI laptops and seen its obvious benefits, at least with longer battery life than the previous versions. But desktops don't need those improvements, so it will be interesting to see how Intel plans to make it worthwhile for people to invest in the Core Ultra processor with a dose of Copilot Plus AI features on the big machines. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Anti-Prime Day Laptop Deal: My Go-to Acer Aspire 14 AI Is $200 Off at Costco Today
The Amazon Prime Day sales event is going strong, but other retailers are also offering deep discounts with their own Anti-Prime Day deals. Right now, Costco members can snag the Acer Aspire 14 AI for $500a $200 discount, until July 20 or while supplies last. CNET's key takeaways The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available for $500 at Costco. The Intel Lunar Lake CPU offers good performance for the price and long battery life. The display and design won't wow you. Laptop prices are on the rise -- and the more they increase, the better Acer's Aspire 14 AI looks. When I reviewed it in April, it cost $700 at Costco and was the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I had reviewed. Fast forward two months and it's now $500 at Costco, making it the the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I've seen -- and a great value. Acer cuts the right corners to hit such a low price for the Aspire 14 AI, delivering a well-rounded laptop with modern components. This is no budget laptop with outdated parts. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor (codenamed Lunar Lake) that serves up competitive application and AI performance along with great battery life and a design that doesn't look all that different from Acer's pricier Swift laptops. The Aspire 14 AI's no-frills, but future-proofed package makes it one of the best budget laptops of 2025. My experience with the Acer Aspire 14 AI I'm still waiting for the killer AI app to make a laptop AI CPU a must but it's nice to know that when it arrives, you'll have a machine that's built for it. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU that has a neural processing unit capable of 40 trillion operations per second, the Aspire 14 AI hits the minimum requirement for Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC platform. Its AI processor can offload AI workloads -- constantly taking Windows Recall snapshots, blurring backgrounds for video calls and producing live translations -- to its NPU, keeping the CPU and GPU freed up for whatever primary task you're working on. Matt Elliott/CNET Future-proofing is always valuable in any laptop, especially so in a budget model where it's not always a given. You need to be careful when shopping for a low-cost laptop because many offerings are older models with previous-generation components that are discounted in an attempt to clear out inventory for newer units. In testing, the Aspire 14 AI hung with the more expensive Copilot Plus PCs I've tested. Its scores on our application, graphics and AI benchmarks weren't all that far off from those of its pricier competitors. Its integrated Intel GPU doesn't provide much in the way of 3D gaming but the same can be said for any Copilot Plus PC, since I've yet to encounter one with dedicated graphics. With the Aspire 14 AI, you avoid the budget laptop trap of buying a machine with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. And you also skip past the specter of the Creaky Plastic Monster. Many budget laptops have flimsy plastic enclosures, but the Aspire 14 AI has aluminum top and bottom panels with only a plastic keyboard deck. The keyboard deck feels rigid and doesn't bend or flex like the thinner plastic commonly found on other budget models. It's a solidly constructed laptop, and you'd have to look closely to tell it apart from one of Acer's mainstream Swift laptops. The specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics: Intel Arc 130V Storage: 1TB solid-state drive Display: 14-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel touch IPS LCD Ports: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Weight: 3.05 pounds Battery life: 18 hours, 56 minutes Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Best Prime Day Laptops Deals It's never too early to start shopping for an upgrade to your laptop, and our favorite Prime Day laptop deals are guaranteed to save you time and money. Check out the best savings here. See Now CNET'S buying advice The best part of the Aspire 14 AI is getting a modern CPU that delivers the performance needed for the laptop to act as your primary machine and not just a cheap, underpowered second system. And the efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU also allows the Aspire 14 AI to run for almost 19 hours on a single charge while also offering a bit of future-proofing with its AI capabilities. The uninspired design and meh display are really the only items that scream "budget laptop." The rest of the package is more mainstream than budget, including the 16GB of RAM and the roomy 1TB SSD. You are usually looking at 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD when shopping for a $700 laptop. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I have a couple of other Copilot Plus PCs you should check out. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a winner for its slick and sturdy design and awesome haptic touchpad and the Asus Zenbook A14 boasts an ultralight yet rigid enclosure with a gorgeous OLED display. Plus, both offer even better battery life than the Aspire 14 AI.
CNET
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Grab Prime Day Laptop Savings: My Go-to Acer Aspire 14 AI Is Nearly 30% Off at Costco Right Now
Amazon's Prime Day may have started July 8, but other retailers are offering some major discounts as well. Costco members can snag the Acer Aspire 14 AI for $500 (a $200 drop, nearly 30%) until July 20 or while supplies last. CNET's key takeaways The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available for $500 at Costco. The Intel Lunar Lake CPU offers good performance for the price and long battery life. The display and design won't wow you. Laptop prices are on the rise -- and the more they increase, the better Acer's Aspire 14 AI looks. When I reviewed it in April, it cost $700 at Costco and was the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I had reviewed. Fast forward two months and it's now $500 at Costco, making it the the cheapest Copilot Plus PC I've seen -- and a great value. Acer cuts the right corners to hit such a low price for the Aspire 14 AI, delivering a well-rounded laptop with modern components. This is no budget laptop with outdated parts. It features the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor (codenamed Lunar Lake) that serves up competitive application and AI performance along with great battery life and a design that doesn't look all that different from Acer's pricier Swift laptops. The Aspire 14 AI's no-frills but future-proofed package makes it one of the best budget laptops of 2025. My experience with the Acer Aspire 14 AI I'm still waiting for the killer AI app to make a laptop AI CPU a must but it's nice to know that when it arrives, you'll have a laptop that's built for it. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU that has a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), the Aspire 14 AI hits the minimum requirement for Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC platform. Its AI processor can offload AI workloads -- constantly taking Windows Recall snapshots, blurring backgrounds for video calls and producing live translations -- to its NPU, keeping the CPU and GPU freed up for whatever primary task you're working on. Matt Elliott/CNET Future-proofing is always valuable in any laptop, especially so in a budget model where it's not always a given. (You need to be careful when shopping for a low-cost laptop because so many are older models with previous-generation components that are discounted in an attempt to clear out inventory for newer units.) In testing, the Aspire 14 AI hung with the more expensive Copilot Plus PCs I've tested. Its scores on our application, graphics and AI benchmarks weren't all that far off from those of its pricier competitors. Its integrated Intel GPU doesn't provide much in the way of 3D gaming but the same can be said for any Copilot Plus PC as I've yet to encounter one with dedicated graphics. With the Aspire 14 AI, you avoid the budget laptop trap of buying a machine with outdated or soon-to-be-outdated parts. And you also skip past the specter of the Creaky Plastic Monster. Many budget laptops have flimsy plastic enclosures but the Aspire 14 AI has aluminum top and bottom panels with only a plastic keyboard deck. And the keyboard deck feels rigid and doesn't bend or flex like the thinner plastic common to other budget models. It's a solidly constructed laptop and you'd have to look closely to tell it apart from one of Acer's mainstream Swift laptops. The specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Memory: 16GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics: Intel Arc 130V Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 14-inch 1,920x1,200 touch IPS LCD Ports: 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Weight: 3.05 pounds Battery life: 18 hr, 56 min Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Home Best Prime Day Laptops Deals It's never too early to start shopping for an upgrade to your laptop, and our favorite Prime Day laptop deals are guaranteed to save you time and money. Check out the best savings here. See Now CNET'S Buying Advice The best part of the Aspire 14 AI is getting a modern CPU that delivers the performance needed for the laptop to act as your primary machine and not just a cheap, underpowered second system. And the efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU also allows the Aspire 14 AI to run for almost 19 hours on a single charge while also offering a bit of future-proofing with its AI capabilities. The uninspired design and meh display are really the only items that scream "budget laptop." The rest of the package is more mainstream than budget, including the 16GB of RAM and the roomy 1TB SSD. You are usually looking at 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD when shopping for a $700 laptop. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I have a couple of other Copilot Plus PCs you should check out. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a winner for its slick and sturdy design and awesome haptic touchpad and the Asus Zenbook A14 boasts an ultralight yet rigid enclosure with a gorgeous OLED display. Plus, both offer even better battery life than the Aspire 14 AI.
Gizmodo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Sorry If You Already Own One, but the Surface Pro Is Going for Peanuts This Prime Day
The Microsoft Surface Pro has long been famed as the ultimate hybrid PC, quickly switching from a tablet to a full-fledged laptop in seconds. What truly sets it apart is that it's able to run Windows 11 Copilot+, which gives you all of the usual productivity and multitasking features of an actual desktop experience. Right now, thanks to Prime Day, you can get the latest (and most powerful) model (Snapdragon X Elite, 256GB storage, 16GM RAM) at its all-time best price on Amazon. Exclusive to Prime members, the offer slashes the price to a mere $899, down from the normal price of $1,399. That's a massive 36% discount on one of the most powerful Windows laptops out there. See at Amazon This Surface Pro is the most powerful yet with the Snapdragon X Elite processor that boasts 12 high-performance cores. This chip is designed to handle everything from heavy multitasking to gaming, and rivals even the latest MacBook Air M3 in speed and efficiency. With 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, you'll have ample memory and space for all your files. The integrated ARM Mali-T604 graphics ensure smooth visuals. The 13-inch OLED touch screen is yet another beauty, and provides a cinema-like experience anywhere. With a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, colors get richer, blacks get deeper and all detail explodes onto the screen. It's perfect for creative professionals and if you're looking for a truly immersive viewing experience. The touchscreen is responsive and accurate as well, so it's easy to draw, note, or investigate with your fingers or a pen. The Surface Pro offers up to 14 hours on a single battery charge with is amazing. Fast charging via either the 65W PSU or USB-C means you can quickly top off your battery and be back playing or working in no time without missing a beat. The revolutionary kickstand allows you to use the Surface Pro nearly any way, smoothly shifting from tablet to laptop to digital sketch pad. What really separates this Surface Pro is how beautifully it works with Copilot+, starting a new era of AI-powered computing. Copilot+ makes you more productive with smart features that enhance security and privacy as well as streamline your everyday tasks. While on video calls, Windows Studio Effects with Copilot+ can adjust lighting and blur distractions, so you always look and sound professional. Real-time translation of 44 languages during calls or streaming is a huge advantage for global professionals and world travelers It's powerful, portable, and packed with features that make it more than just a tablet or a laptop: make sure you don't miss this all time low price. See at Amazon
The Verge
08-07-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft's Copilot Plus features might arrive on desktop PCs later this year
Microsoft's latest Windows AI features arrived first on new Copilot Plus PCs last year, but they were limited to a special range of laptops. That looks set to change thanks to Intel refreshing its existing Arrow Lake desktop CPUs later this year, that might just deliver Copilot Plus PC features in desktop PC form factors for the first time. Intel's latest Core Ultra desktop CPUs launched in October with an NPU inside, but it wasn't capable enough to hit the 40 TOPS requirement that Microsoft mandates for Copilot Plus features. ZDNet Korea reports that Intel is now preparing an Arrow Lake Refresh that will include higher clock speeds and a more advanced NPU that should be capable of Copilot Plus features. The new NPU design will reportedly move the refreshed Core Ultra 200 lineup to a newer 'NPU 4' design, the same NPU architecture found on Intel's Lunar Lake laptop CPUs that got Copilot Plus AI features in November. This would allow for true desktop PCs with a capable NPU, instead of Copilot Plus only being available on mini PCs and all-in-one PCs that use laptop processors. It sounds like a newer NPU will be the main part of Intel's Arrow Lake Refresh, as it will reportedly not include addition CPU or GPU cores over the existing Core Ultra 200 chips. More space on the chip for NPU features will disappoint gamers who have been waiting for Intel to be more competitive in the desktop CPU space, though. The first Arrow Lake chips ran more efficiently and cooler, but the PC gaming performance was disappointing and often behind Intel's previous Raptor Lake CPUs. Intel admitted that its Arrow Lake launch 'didn't go as planned,' but a series of BIOS updates have done little to change the gaming performance situation. It now looks unlikely that Intel will compete with AMD's Ryzen 9800X3D and 9950X3D chips in gaming performance until its next generation Nova Lake CPUs launch in 2026.
