The Best Copilot+ Laptops for 2026

In the latest wave of laptops, AI and Windows have come together like chocolate and peanut butter, thanks to Microsoft's Copilot initiative and a wave of capable components that complement it. These aren't just standard Windows laptops with a shiny new Copilot key. Copilot+ PCs have to meet Microsoft's strict standards for performance and AI capability, which means you're looking at premium hardware with advanced AI features baked right in. It's a bold new frontier and a little confusing. That's where we come in. PCMag has been testing laptops for nearly 40 years, and we've seen every major shift in portable computing, from the first luggables to today's ultraportables. Copilot+ is the next big leap, and here, we'll break down what makes these machines different, what they can do, and which ones are worth your money. Right now, our top Copilot+ pick is the Dell XPS 14 (2026)—a powerhouse ultraportable—but we've got recommendations for all kinds of users and budgets. Let's dive in.

Best Copilot+ Laptop Overall

Dell XPS 14 (2026)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Vivid OLED screen

• + Potent flagship Intel chip

• + Class-leading battery life

• + Premium metal build

• + Standout 4K webcam and high-fidelity speakers

• + Warranty includes a year of onsite coverage

• - Vivid OLED screen

• - Potent flagship Intel chip

• - Class-leading battery life

• - Premium metal build

• - Standout 4K webcam and high-fidelity speakers

• - Warranty includes a year of onsite coverage

Why We Picked It

Dell's premium line is back in a big way, reclaiming its spot as the leading laptop for high-end panache and performance. The Dell XPS 14 (2026) hews closer to the MacBook Pro silhouette than ever. Still, it wins on its own terms by listening to user feedback: This year's model ditches the capacitive LED row for traditional physical function keys and refines the seamless haptic touchpad with much better-defined boundaries.

Inside, the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H "Panther Lake" chip and Arc B390 graphics deliver blazing speed and integrated graphical prowess that finally rivals Apple's latest M-series silicon, and a neural processor (NPU) that unlocks full Copilot+ support. When you add the stunning 1800p tandem OLED touch screen and a top-tier 4K webcam to the mix, you have the most complete ultraportable on the market, and the best Copilot+ laptop for most people.

Who It's For

Remote professionals:If your workday is a marathon of video calls, the high-fidelity 4K webcam and Copilot+ image and audio enhancement are a total game-changer. The result ensures you look sharp and professional, eliminating the grainy, dim output common in most integrated sensors, and making you sound your best, even in noisy environments, thanks to AI-powered ambient noise reduction.

Power-user commuters:This 3-pound machine is an ace for your frequent travels without sacrificing performance. Its marathon battery life and Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor mean you can power through a cross-country flight without ever hunting for an outlet. Plus, the NPU powers a wide range of cool on-device AI features.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Ultraportable

Processor: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2880 by 1800

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc B390

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 6

Dimensions (HWD): 0.58 by 12.2 by 8.3 inches

Weight: 3 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 21:02

Best Budget Copilot+ Laptop

Acer Aspire 16 AI

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Aggressive price for the feature set

• + Colorful 120Hz display and unusually high-res 1440p webcam

• + Broad port selection

• + Competitive performance for the price

• + Long battery life

• - Aggressive price for the feature set

• - Colorful 120Hz display and unusually high-res 1440p webcam

• - Broad port selection

• - Competitive performance for the price

• - Long battery life

Why We Picked It

Acer proves that you don't need to drop $1,500 to join the Copilot+ PC revolution. The Aspire 16 AI is a standout value, leveraging a Snapdragon X processor that perfectly balances snappy app performance with serious battery efficiency. While most budget machines cut corners on the build quality or the features, Acer went the other way, fitting a 120Hz refresh rate into its 16-inch panel for butter-smooth scrolling and a 1440p webcam that puts the budget-standard 720p sensors to shame. It's a highly usable and no-sacrifice desktop replacement that feels much more premium than its price tag suggests.

Who It's For

Budget-conscious hustlers:If you're seeking a high-value desktop replacement, the affordable Acer Aspire 16 AI is a no-brainer. With Copilot+ features for substantially less than the flagship models on this list, it's a reasonably priced entry point into Microsoft's top AI model line. The feature set is robust, too, like the smooth-glide touchpad that provides precise tracking, avoiding the stiff feel typical of plastic-heavy budget laptops.

Visual enthusiasts:If you're tired of the choppy animations on old 60Hz screens, then this 120Hz IPS display is a revelation. It makes everything from system navigation to video playback look significantly more fluid.

Remote workers on a budget:You don't need a flagship price to look professional in meetings. The 1440p webcam delivers impressive clarity, solving the "grainy video" problem for you, and enhancing things further with Windows Studio Effects.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Budget

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X (X1-26-100)

RAM (as Tested): 16 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB

Screen Size: 16 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1200

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: Dynamic

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Qualcomm Adreno GPU

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD): 0.63 by 14 by 9.9 inches

Weight: 3.42 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 17:02

Best Copilot+ Laptop for Gaming

Razer Blade 14 (2025)

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + Unparalleled build quality at its size

• + Powerful enough for modern 60fps-plus gaming

• + Sharp 120Hz 3K OLED screen

• + Long battery life

• + User-upgradable SSD

• - Unparalleled build quality at its size

• - Powerful enough for modern 60fps-plus gaming

• - Sharp 120Hz 3K OLED screen

• - Long battery life

• - User-upgradable SSD

Why We Picked It

Razer has successfully married 14-inch portable gaming with Copilot+ capabilities, making it one of the first gaming laptops that's also one of Microsoft's top AI PCs. By pairing the RTX 50-series GPU with an NPU that clears the 40 TOPS hurdle, this "mini-beast" delivers a consistent 60fps experience in modern titles while enabling NPU-driven local AI. The 120Hz 3K OLED display remains the gold standard for motion clarity, but the full Copilot+ support truly future-proofs this rig. Unlike plastic competitors, the Blade maintains its iconic CNC-aluminum rigidity and includes a user-upgradable SSD slot, ensuring you have plenty of room for your growing game library.

Who It's For

Mobile gamers:If you want desktop-class performance in a chassis that fits in a backpack, the Razer Blade 14 (2025) is your rig. The high-end Ryzen CPU and NPU work in tandem to drive reliable frame rates while allowing you to use Live Captions for real-time translation for playthrough guides from other countries.

Visual purists:The 3K OLED technology is a fantastic display if you're a screen snob who demands infinite contrast, and the 1080p webcam gets a quality boost from Windows Studio Effects.

Content creators:Thanks to the upgradable SSD and the ability to run Click to Do for rapid AI-powered summaries and media rewrites, this works as a portable workstation that won't bottleneck your creative workflows.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Gaming,Ultraportable

Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 365

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2880 by 1800

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: G-Sync

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU

Graphics Memory: 8 GB

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD): 0.64 by 12.2 by 8.8 inches

Weight: 3.6 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 11:37

Best Copilot+ Business Laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 (Intel)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Durable, ThinkPad-typical design

• + Solid performance, with several Intel and Qualcomm CPU-family choices

• + Long battery life

• + Field-leading keyboard

• + Deep enterprise security features

• + Above-average serviceability

• - Durable, ThinkPad-typical design

• - Solid performance, with several Intel and Qualcomm CPU-family choices

• - Long battery life

• - Field-leading keyboard

• - Deep enterprise security features

• - Above-average serviceability

Why We Picked It

The ThinkPad T14 remains the smart choice for corporate reliability, now upgraded with the specialized silicon needed for on-device AI. Lenovo has focused on long-term deployment, providing a modular design that makes it easy to repair or upgrade internal components. Whether you opt for the Intel Panther Lake or Snapdragon X configuration, you're getting an NPU that handles more than 40 trillion operations per second, making features like Recall run smoothly without lagging your spreadsheets. It all adds up to make the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 our favorite Copilot+ laptop for the office.

Who It's For

Corporate employees:Lenovo built the ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 for employees seeking consistent daily productivity. The Core Ultra 5 225U processor in our test model handles your most important work, while the NPU enables Copilot+ features that help handle the rest.

IT managers:If you're after simplified fleet maintenance, you'll love the smart hardware diagnostics and modular component replacement provided by the ThinkPad's new chassis. It fixes the frustration of non-repairable systems that require total unit replacement for minor hardware failures or upgrades.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Business

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 225U

Processor Speed: 1.5 GHz

RAM (as Tested): 16 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1200

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Graphics

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 6E,Bluetooth 5.3

Dimensions (HWD): 0.71 by 14.16 by 9.87 inches

Weight: 3.9 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 19:09

Best Copilot+ 2-in-1 Detachable Laptop

Asus ProArt PZ13

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Gorgeous OLED touch screen

• + Kickstand cover and above-average keyboard included

• + Dual high-quality cameras

• + SD card slot

• + Affordable price

• - Gorgeous OLED touch screen

• - Kickstand cover and above-average keyboard included

• - Dual high-quality cameras

• - SD card slot

• - Affordable price

Why We Picked It

The Microsoft Surface Pro has a place on this list, but it's not at the top. The Asus ProArt PZ13, on the other hand, is the best detachable Copilot+ system around, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor's impressive performance, a gorgeous OLED touch screen, an included kickstand cover and keyboard, and a (relatively) affordable price. The grab-and-go design pairs well with the Hexagon NPU's 45 TOPS of AI processing power, making for a potent portable machine. The device's excellent general performance and capable laptop-mode usability make it the best Copilot+ detachable 2-in-1 laptop you can buy.

Who It's For

Budget-conscious professionals:The ProArt PZ13 is perfect for your work with its high-value detachable form factor. The lower total cost of ownership makes it a smart buy, thanks to the included keyboard and kickstand, and the combination of OLED display, smart features, and Copilot+ abilities.

Visual enthusiasts:The Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor and OLED touch screen make this a fitting tablet PC for visual work, from retouching photos to designing media. The high-contrast imagery and accurate color reproduction are real standout features for any kind of image work.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Detachable 2-in-1

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)

RAM (as Tested): 16 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 13.3 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2880 by 1800

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Qualcomm Adreno GPU

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD): 0.35 by 11.7 by 8 inches

Weight: 1.87 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 17:47

Best Copilot+ 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop

Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 10 Aura Edition

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + On-point productivity performance

• + Gorgeous, sturdy 2-in-1 build

• + Spectacular OLED display

• + Excellent battery life

• - On-point productivity performance

• - Gorgeous, sturdy 2-in-1 build

• - Spectacular OLED display

• - Excellent battery life

Why We Picked It

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 10 Aura Edition refines Lenovo's excellent Yoga 2-in-1 design and pairs it with Intel Lunar Lake processing that provides high-efficiency productivity while also supporting the full Copilot+ suite of AI features. Beyond that, the Yoga's excellent battery lasts more than 22 hours between charges, its 120Hz OLED touch display has excellent contrast and color depth, and its unique 360-degree omnidirectional sound bar maintains sharp audio quality, even as you switch from one mode to the next. Plus, if you prefer to take notes or draw on screen, Lenovo includes a stylus. It's one of our favorite convertible laptops, and the best 2-in-1 Copilot+ laptop we've seen so far.

Who It's For

Productivity professionals:As a digital professional, you will appreciate the Yoga 9i Gen 10 Aura Edition for its productivity chops. The battery lasts all day, the AI features are robust, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V's processing gets the job done with ease.

Creators and consumers:The Yoga's excellent OLED touch screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification, and noticeably high-fidelity color accuracy and visual depth, making it a fantastic choice for both creating and enjoying media. Oh, did we mention the Dolby Atmos support from the soundbar, which sounds impactful in any orientation of this laptop? This Yoga will sound as high-end as it looks, whether in tablet or laptop mode.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Convertible 2-in-1

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2880 by 1800

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD): 0.63 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches

Weight: 2.91 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 21:56

Longest Battery Life in a Copilot+ Laptop

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Record-setting battery life in rundown testing

• + Speedy overall performance for a compact 2-in-1

• + Generous mix of ports for its size

• + Nano Pen stylus with in-chassis storage

• - Record-setting battery life in rundown testing

• - Speedy overall performance for a compact 2-in-1

• - Generous mix of ports for its size

• - Nano Pen stylus with in-chassis storage

Why We Picked It

The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ snags our pick as the longest-lasting laptop of any on this list, with a 42-hour uptime that is currently unmatched in the history of portable PCs we've tested, earning our first PCMag Lab Award for the category. This Copilot+ convertible laptop also has a broad feature set and potent performance from an Intel Panther Lake processor, and it switches between laptop and tablet. The port selection is refreshingly varied, with both USB-C and USB-A connections, along with HDMI. It'll let you work through a weekend without bringing a charger along, but it's also an excellent Copilot+ laptop in general.

Who It's For

Mobile workers:MSI built the Prestige 14 Flip AI+ for on-the-go work with its record-setting battery endurance. The included Nano Pen stylus, powerful NPU, and broad port selection only sweeten the deal—and not to mention, so does the OLED screen.

AI-adopting commuters:The Panther Lake processor in the MSI supports all Copilot+ features, from live captions to AI-enhanced sketching. However, the 2-in-1 design also means it works just as well as a tablet as it does as a laptop, and the included pen keeps things intuitive.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Convertible 2-in-1

Processor: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1200

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc B390

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 6

Dimensions (HWD): 0.55 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches

Weight: 3.02 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 42:06

Best Snapdragon Copilot+ Laptop

HP OmniBook 5 14

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Field-leading battery life

• + Aggressively priced, and speedy enough for the cost

• + Vivid OLED display

• + Ultra-thin, light design

• - Field-leading battery life

• - Aggressively priced, and speedy enough for the cost

• - Vivid OLED display

• - Ultra-thin, light design

Why We Picked It

The HP OmniBook 5 14 is the best Snapdragon X-based Copilot+ laptop on our list, thanks to an ultraportable design that pairs marathon endurance with superb value and premium features. It can last for an impressive 34-plus hours of video playback. The laptop's vivid OLED display provides a high-end visual experience, and the Snapdragon X processor inside drives speedy performance that beats many pricier competitors.

That chip also powers the full Copilot+ suite, making this laptop an accessible entry into modern computing. The aggressively low price and frequent discounts also make it one of the most cost-effective Copilot+ options, making it an easy recommendation if money's tight.

Who It's For

Early adopters:The HP OmniBook 5 14 is our favorite pick for native Arm-based Windows, from daily productivity to advanced Copilot+ features. The Snapdragon processor inside provides energy efficiency for long battery life and an NPU that drives the latest on-device AI. HP tops it off with a slick OLED display.

Students:If you're still in school, you can draw a lot of value from this laptop, from the long-lasting battery that can see you through a full day of classes to the portable design that's easy to carry under your arm or in your backpack.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Ultraportable

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1200

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Qualcomm Adreno X1-45

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 6E,Bluetooth 5.3

Dimensions (HWD): 0.6 by 12.3 by 8.6 inches

Weight: 2.98 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 34:48

Best Big-Screen Copilot+ Laptop

LG Gram 17 (2025)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Unbeatably lightweight, surprisingly durable

• + Large, high-quality display

• + Comfortable keyboard

• + Copilot+ PC with additional AI from LG

• - Unbeatably lightweight, surprisingly durable

• - Large, high-quality display

• - Comfortable keyboard

• - Copilot+ PC with additional AI from LG

Why We Picked It

It may be best known for its famously lightweight design, but the LG Gram 17 is also an ace Copilot+ laptop, and with a 17-inch touch screen that's bigger than everything else on this list. The large, vibrant display features a sharp QHD+ IPS screen with anti-glare technology and slim bezels, while the laptop's magnesium-alloy construction is sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of travel.

Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with a powerful NPU, the Gram 17 delivers fast performance and up to 19 hours of battery life. All told, it's the best big-screen ultraportable we've seen, and our favorite Copilot+ laptop for getting the most possible display real estate into your bag.

Who It's For

Mobile professionals:If you're a pro on the go, the LG Gram 17's slim magnesium-alloy design will thrill, packing that 17-inch display into a laptop without extreme bulk. And even though it's easy to carry, the Intel processor and its AI-ready NPU still deliver better-than-average performance.

Desktop-replacement shoppers:This is the go-to Copilot+ laptop if you're after a desktop replacement for work that's still easy to tote around. Weighing just 3.1 pounds, the Gram 17 will serve your needs for a large, bright-screened laptop for work, replete with a numeric keypad.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Ultraportable,Desktop Replacement

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 17 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2560 by 1600

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: IPS

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.3

Dimensions (HWD): 0.74 by 14.9 by 10.2 inches

Weight: 3.1 pounds

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 19:01

Best Microsoft-Made Copilot+ PC

Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025, 13-Inch)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Exceptional battery life

• + Sleek metal build and compact design

• + Competitive price for a Copilot+ PC

• - Exceptional battery life

• - Sleek metal build and compact design

• - Competitive price for a Copilot+ PC

Why We Picked It

If you want Copilot+ AI capability in its purest form, the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) is your best bet as the definitive Microsoft laptop. The all-metal build and 13-inch design are sturdy and portable, and the competitive entry price makes it a decent value. But the real draw is the robust AI support. Microsoft's Copilot+ AI platform handles on-device AI workloads via a capable NPU, and the Snapdragon X Plus chip achieves exceptional energy efficiency for long battery life.

Who It's For

Design purists:This is Microsoft's platonic ideal of laptop design, from the 13-inch full-metal chassis to the touch screen and Copilot+ features. If you want a laptop that really understands what Windows and modern AI can be, the Surface Laptop is a smart choice.

Daily commuters:Portability is another watchword for the Surface Laptop, weighing just 2.7 pounds and lasting more than 30 hours on battery. The high-quality design is easy to carry, capable in daily use. And you can even find it for less than $1,000 on sale.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Ultraportable

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100)

RAM (as Tested): 16 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB

Screen Size: 13 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1280

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Qualcomm Adreno GPU

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD): 0.61 by 8.43 by 11.25 inches

Weight: 2.7 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 30:56

Even if it's clear that Copilot+ laptops are better-than-average systems with added AI hardware, it's still tough to know which one is best for you. You have budget models and pricey ones, 2-in-1s and tablets, and ordinary clamshell laptops. Let's break down what a Copilot+ PC actually is, what features and benefits you'll enjoy by choosing one, and how to find the right Copilot+ laptop for you.

What Is a Copilot+ Laptop?

Several major elements define Microsoft's Copilot+ machines. The first and biggest: They have next-generation processors, each with a neural processing unit (NPU), which is AI-dedicated silicon piggybacking on the main processor chip. For an NPU to be adequate for Copilot+ use, it needs to be able to handle at least 40 trillion operations per second, or TOPS. (More on this critical ingredient later on.) They also require a minimum of 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage (though most Copilot+ laptops have significantly more spacious storage drives).

How exactly are they different from Microsoft's other Copilot laptops (the ones without the "+")? Those machines provide the Copilot assistant and AI integration in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams. However, the "plus"-less Copilots laptops rely entirely on cloud-based AI, using online resources to perform those functions via cloud servers, rather than leaning on the resources inside your device. Since all of that functionality is online, those systems do not need a local NPU to run AI functions on your machine. Thus, these laptops aren't much different from any other.

Copilot+ PCs, by contrast, are designed for on-device AI. They use the NPU to accelerate AI workloads locally, enabling faster performance, improved privacy for certain tasks, and exclusive AI features  that don't depend on an internet connection.

A Lingo Check: 'Copilot+' vs. 'AI PC'

Just as "AI PC" is a broad term that describes any personal computer built to support AI apps and features, Microsoft's Copilot and Copilot+ PC branding is just that: branding. Any laptop with AI features can be an AI PC, but Microsoft aims to go beyond that general term and stamp the Copilot+ name onto the popular idea of AI-enabled laptops.

That brings us back to the two differentiating features of Copilot+ systems: NPU hardware and on-device AI features. If Microsoft can make those capabilities synonymous with the broader AI toolset, then Copilot+ PCs will receive top billing as AI grows in importance over the coming years.

What Is an NPU?

The most significant hardware difference between Copilot+ PCs and other laptops is the neural processing unit (NPU) we've mentioned a few times so far. All of the latest AMD, Apple, Intel, and Qualcomm chips contain a neural processor of sorts. This specialized component can run trillions of algorithmic tasks simultaneously per second, making it far more efficient than traditional threaded CPUs for that kind of work.

Delegating AI-specific tasks to this NPU can free up the CPU to drive the apps and features you're used to (like word processing or web browsing) while also unlocking on-device AI capabilities, such as running small language models, voice recognition, image generation, and automatic multimedia enhancement.

NPU models come under different names and with varying levels of performance across chip platforms, and, as mentioned, Microsoft requires a minimum amount of NPU muscle for a system to qualify as a Copilot+ model. We'll dive into those guidelines in a moment when we discuss CPU particulars for Copilot+ PCs.

What Features Are Unique to Copilot+ Laptops?

Microsoft has been steadily expanding the feature set included on Copilot+ systems, starting with a dedicated Copilot key that provides one-touch access to the Copilot AI assistant. (As mentioned, though, not every laptop with a Copilot key is a Copilot+ laptop. Confusing!) However, Copilot+ features go beyond just an integrated chatbot, incorporating generative AI features and machine-learning-accelerated app functions.

For instance, Windows Cocreator is an AI-powered image-generation tool that combines Paint's sketching capabilities with text prompting. It allows you to quickly turn simple inputs into fancy images. Another, called Live Captions, provides real-time subtitles for any audio or video played on the PC, from YouTube clips to Zoom calls. It can translate those captions into one of 40 languages.

Windows Studio Effects improves video calls by adjusting lighting, reducing background noise, and even making you appear to maintain eye contact with the camera while you glance at something off to the side.

Improved Windows Search leverages the NPU to understand natural language and context, making it quicker and easier to find files and images stored on your system. Plus, the long-awaited Recall tool takes this a step further, recording everything you do on your PC and making it just as searchable. This audit trail lets you dig into past conversations from chats and webpages you've seen alongside your files and documents. Privacy concerns have led to repeated delays, but the Recall feature did ultimately launch .

The latest Copilot+ feature,  Click to Do , provides contextual AI shortcuts for quickly using AI for summaries, rewrites, and other streamlined tasks. Other AI-powered features have come to apps like Photos and Voice Access, and third parties like Adobe have introduced NPU dependencies in their software to enable advanced features and faster work with media and content creation.

That's all to say that a bunch of locally running features and capabilities are included in Copilot+ PCs that you won't find in other laptops, even those considered AI PCs or mainstream Copilot laptops without the added NPU hardware.

How to Choose a Copilot+ Laptop

So, how do you narrow down your options and choose an effective Copilot+ PC? Most of our advice is the same as we'd provide for any laptop, just adding the NPU and Copilot+ features.

Intel, AMD, Qualcomm: Which Processor to Get? 

Hands down, the most essential requirement for any Copilot+ laptop is the right processor. You'll need a machine with an NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS to support AI features. As of this writing, you've got three primary chip-family options:

• Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 (" Panther Lake ") and Series 2 (" Lunar Lake ")

• AMD's Ryzen AI 400 and Ryzen AI 300 series, aka its "Gorgon Point" and "Strix Point" lines

• Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X2 lines

Those three choices fall into two broad categories based on underlying CPU architecture: Intel and AMD processors use traditional x86 architecture, and Qualcomm chips use Arm x64. Windows has been built for x86 since the first IBM PCs in the early '80s, so Intel and AMD x86 CPUs run Windows natively, providing fast performance and seamless support for Windows apps (even old ones).

Windows on Arm, or Windows on Snapdragon as Qualcomm calls it, has plenty of positive points, such as energy efficiency, long battery life, and impressive performance in most cases. However, you'll occasionally encounter compatibility issues with certain apps and peripherals designed for x86 first. You can use Windows 11's built-in emulation for most of those situations. Just know that this traditional sticking point for Windows on Arm can still arise here and there with legacy applications and in some isolated instances.

At this point, we've seen plenty of Qualcomm systems that compete with Intel and AMD machines without significant compromise. Aside from those scattered compatibility issues, the current form of Windows on Arm is better than ever. Using everyday productivity programs, you could work in ordinary x86 Windows and Windows on Arm side by side without seeing or feeling a difference.

Copilot+ PC Form Factors: Laptop, Tablet, or Both?

While most Copilot+ laptops follow the same general slim and light design sensibilities, you can still pick from standard clamshell designs, convertible 2-in-1 systems, and even the odd detachable Windows tablet. Which should you get? Again, the same rule for laptops in general holds here: Figure out how you will use the hardware, and go from there.

If you want options for handwriting and note-taking, then you will do best with a detachable-screen tablet like a Microsoft Surface Pro. While an ultraportable clamshell would serve you best for traditional use, a rotating 2-in-1 brings the best of both worlds.

Display: Resolution and Panel Options in Copilot+ PCs

Copilot+ PCs are available with a bunch of different display options, with varying sizes, resolutions, and panel types available. While 13 to 14 inches is the most typical size, some stretch to 16 inches. You'll see a choice of IPS and OLED panels, as well as native resolution: from 1,920 by 1,200 pixels (essentially full HD in a 16:10 aspect ratio) up to 2,880 by 1,800.

Another big factor: touch input. With so many 2-in-1 and tablet options available, most machines come with a touch screen—but standard clamshell laptops may not.

Price and Value: What Do Copilot+ PCs Cost?

Time for the bottom line: How much will this AI brainpower set you back? Copilot+ PCs are generally more premium than standard Copilot laptops, thanks to their beefed-up CPUs with NPU hardware. Most Copilot+ machines run north of $1,000, and a few even blow past $2,000.

Regardless, you can find a few sub-$1,000 models (just check our list of top picks). Naturally, those cheaper systems force you to make some compromises, like lower-quality keyboards, displays, and webcams. The pricier models will also deliver more memory, larger storage, and higher-resolution displays. Just note that prices might start increasing as RAM becomes more expensive  due to higher demand. (Check out our guide to how much RAM you really need .)

In the end, you need to weigh your budget against the value you expect to derive from a specific design and its features.

Are Copilot+ PCs Good for Gaming?

We know you've been dying to ask: With all those premium laptops sold under the Copilot+ branding, some of them have to be suitable for gaming, right?

Right now, the answer is "not many", since Copilot+ models aren't well-represented in the gaming category. However, that's starting to change, as the first gaming laptops with the necessary NPU hardware and TOPS capability have come out. We're still waiting to see if any apps deliver gaming-specific NPU features, but new AI-ready laptop models are on the way , and we expect that gamer-friendly AI features will follow.

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