Microsoft’s 2024 Surface AI event: news, rumors, and lots of Qualcomm laptops – The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2024-06-12T19:39:54+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/23923063https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1Sean Hollister<![CDATA[The Windows on Arm chip race heats up with a challenger to Qualcomm]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/12/24177129/mediatek-arm-windows-chip-snapdragon-x-elite-competitor2024-06-12T15:39:54-04:002024-06-12T15:39:54-04:00
Intel, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm are the household names in chips - but in 2025, the popular but lesser known MediaTek might make a play to join them. Reuters reports that the Taiwanese chip company is now preparing an AI PC chipset to launch in late 2025 specifically for Windows PCs. Currently, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite is the alleged MacBook Air-beating talk of the town, and MediaTek wants a piece of that action.
According to Reuters, the new MediaTek chip will reportedly be aimed at the same Microsoft Copilot Plus PC program that Qualcomm helped kick-start with Microsoft. There's apparently an opening for chipmakers like MediaTek the …
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Sean Hollister<![CDATA[Sounds like Intel’s and AMD’s Copilot Plus PCs won’t have Copilot AI features at launch]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/6/24173080/intel-amd-nvidia-copilot-plus-pc-ai-exclusivity-qualcomm-20242024-06-06T15:38:06-04:002024-06-06T15:38:06-04:00
Microsoft's new Windows AI features, like Auto Super Resolution for smoother gaming, aren't exclusive to Qualcomm - Intel's Lunar Lake and AMD's Strix Point chips will have enough AI co-processing performance, too. But when Intel and AMD's new Copilot Plus PCs arrive this fall, no one is promising they'll ship with all or even any of the new AI features.
Each of those laptops will require free software updates before they get Microsoft's Copilot Plus AI features, and those updates won't necessarily even arrive before the end of 2024.
"Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Strix PCs are Windows 11 AI PCs that meet our Copilot+ PC hardware requirements. …
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Sean Hollister<![CDATA[Microsoft’s ‘Auto Super Resolution’ DLSS competitor isn’t exclusive to Qualcomm]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/28/24166413/microsoft-windows-auto-super-resolution-sr-qualcomm-npu-dlss-fsr2024-05-28T15:21:28-04:002024-05-28T15:21:28-04:00
The NPU inside Copilot Plus PCs takes the stage at a Microsoft Surface and AI event. | Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
When you launch a game on a Snapdragon on a Windows laptop, you might get an AI frame rate boost from Microsoft's mysterious Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) feature. But while Microsoft hasn't fully explained how the feature works, The Verge can now confirm it's not Qualcomm technology, not exclusive to Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X chips, and not exclusive to specific games, either.
You'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise! Microsoft's new Automatic Super Resolution help page bluntly states that a Snapdragon X chip is required - see screenshot - and that all of its processing "occurs on-device using the integrated GPU and Neural Processing U …
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David Pierce<![CDATA[Microsoft is in its AI PC era]]>https://www.theverge.com/24161498/microsoft-surface-pro-laptop-gpt-4o-voice-macbook-vergecast2024-05-21T09:11:09-04:002024-05-21T09:11:09-04:00
We've heard the story so many times, that this is the time that Windows on Arm will work and we'll get a revolution in powerful, portable, long-lasting PCs. For a decade, the story has been fiction. This time, though… I don't know. It sort of seems real.
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Joanna Nelius<![CDATA[All the Copilot Plus PCs announced at Microsoft’s Surface event]]>https://www.theverge.com/24160974/microsoft-copilot-plus-pcs-acer-asus-dell-hp-lenovo-samsung2024-05-20T16:29:04-04:002024-05-20T16:29:04-04:00
The Copilot Plus PCs announced during Microsoft’s Surface event. | Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
Not to be confused with the other Swift 14 laptops with AI chips, the Swift 14 AI is the only one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processor. This one comes with either the base 12-core Snapdragon X Elite chip or the 10-core X Plus chip and goes up to 32GB of memory and 1TB of M.2 SSD storage.
Asus Vivobook S 15
Asus is starting its Copilot PC adventure with its Vivobook S 15. It will have two Qualcomm processor option …
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Nathan Edwards<![CDATA[Samsung’s first Copilot Plus PC comes with a free TV]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/20/24161018/samsung-copilot-plus-pc-free-tv-preorder2024-05-20T16:28:53-04:002024-05-20T16:28:53-04:00
Microsoft announced a whole passel of Copilot Plus PCs at its Surface event on Monday, and Samsung's entries are a 14-inch laptop and two 16-inch ones, known collectively as the Galaxy Book4 Edge. If you preorder them today, Samsung will throw in a free 50-inch TV! Come on down!
The 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge starts at $1,349.99 with a 12-core 3.4GHz Snapdragon X Elite processor with 4.0GHz Dual Core Boost, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD (up to 1TB). It has a 14-inch, 120Hz 2880 x 1800 AMOLED touchscreen capable of up to 500 nits brightness, with HDR and VRR and 120 percent of the P3 gamut. It has two USB 4 Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and a combo au …
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Quentyn Kennemer<![CDATA[Where to preorder Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro]]>https://www.theverge.com/24160691/microsoft-2024-surface-laptop-pro-preorder-how-to-buy-release-date-price-availability2024-05-20T15:59:17-04:002024-05-20T15:59:17-04:00
Microsoft’s 13.8-inch Surface Laptop starts at a cool $999.99. | Image: Microsoft
It feels like forever ago that we got new Surface laptops, but Microsoft has taken the wraps off a handful of 2024 refreshes at its hardware event on Monday. We’re getting consumer-centric versions of the newest Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, both starting at $999.99 and launching June 18th. Microsoft calls the Copilot Plus PCs “the most powerful Windows PCs ever built.” They’ll be first in line to benefit from Windows 11’s next-gen AI features, which we expect to hear about during Microsoft’s annual Build conference this week.
Microsoft announced business-oriented versions of both laptops in March, each sporting an Intel Core Ultra CPU. The consumer versions come with Qualcomm’s Arm-based Snapdragon X chipsets, which have a dedicated AI processing unit and are said to balance performance and power efficiency in a way that should help them rival Apple’s M-series chips. They also boast the new dedicated Copilot key.
We’re set to get both 13.8-inch and 15-inch variants of the Surface Laptop, which is the traditional clamshell and clearly built to take aim at Apple’s MacBook lineup. The hybridized tablet / laptop Surface Pro, meanwhile, still only comes in one 13-inch configuration that is largely similar to the Surface Pro 9 from a build perspective but is meant to be paired with the improved Surface Pro Flex Keyboard. We’ve dropped more details below, including where and how you can preorder the new devices.
Where to preorder the Microsoft Surface Laptop
Microsoft’s latest Surface Laptop comes in 13.8-inch and 15-inch sizes, but aside from the display differences, they’re mostly identical. The most notable changes from the Surface Laptop 5 include shrunken bezels, an upgraded 1080p webcam, and a haptic trackpad. That said, the 13.8-inch model only comes with a single Thunderbolt 4 port, while the 15-inch version features a pair in addition to a USB-A port. Both have a Surface Connect port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
As for availability, you can preorder the base 13.8-inch model at the Microsoft Store and Best Buy with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD starting at $999.99. You can also grab it with 512GB and 1TB storage for $1,199.99 and $1,399.99, respectively, or with a Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage starting at $1,399.99. It’s currently available in blue, beige, black, and platinum color options.
The 15-inch Surface Laptop, meanwhile, is only available for preorder from the Microsoft Store and Best Buy starting at $1,299.99 with a Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. You can also step up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $2,499.99, though, for now, it seems you can only get it in black or platinum.
If you’re looking for added incentives, Best Buy seems to be offering the better deal right now, as My Best Buy Plus and Total members will get a free TV when purchasing select Copilot Plus PCs. If you add a Surface Laptop to your cart, Best Buy will automatically add a 50-inch Insignia F30 to your cart for no additional cost. A Plus membership costs $49.99 a year and a Total membership $179.99 a year, though, a free TV certainly makes it worth the trouble of signing up if you haven’t already.
2024 Microsoft Surface Laptop (13.8-inch)
The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop is the most affordable of Microsoft’s 2024 Copilot Plus models. The MacBook rival uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chipsets — which offer excellent performance and battery life — and its keyboard is the first with a dedicated Copilot key. Read our review.
The 15-inch Surface Laptop offers more connectivity options than the smaller 13.8-inch model. It gains a second Thunderbolt 4 port and a USB-A port but touts the same AI-ready Snapdragon X Elite chipset, a Copilot key, and design tweaks to minimize display bezels. Read our review.
It’ll take more than a quick glance to notice the differences between the new Surface Pro and its predecessor. The machines are largely the same build-wise, but the new Snapdragon X Elite inside should make a world of difference for the overall user experience. You can also now upgrade the 13-inch display to an OLED option and, later this summer, opt for a version with 5G connectivity.
Of course, the detachable keyboard reprises its role — now known as the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, it’s usable whether or not you have it attached to the 2-in-1. The optional $349.99 attachment features the new Copilot key and a sturdier carbon fiber build with a bigger trackpad and the option to get a bolder typeface on the keys. There’s also room to store and charge the optional Slim Pen, which you can buy separately for $129.99 or bundled with a Flex Keyboard for $449.98.
Like the new Surface Laptop, the 2024 Surface Pro launches on June 18th. Right now, you can preorder it directly from Microsoft and Best Buy in its base configuration with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, an LCD display, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage starting at $999.99. If you want more storage, you can upgrade to a 512GB SSD for $1,199.
The Surface Pro is also available for preorder from the Microsoft Store and Best Buy with a Snapdragon X Elite chip starting at $1,499.99, which will get you an OLED display, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Your upgrade options go up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $2,099.99. The new Surface Pro is currently available in blue, beige, black, and platinum.
Best Buy’s aforementioned TV offer for My Best Buy Plus and Total members also extends to the Surface Pro, meaning you’ll get a free 50-inch Insignia if you’re a member of either of Best Buy’s premium rewards programs (which start at $49.99).
2024 Microsoft Surface Pro
The new Surface Pro maintains its winning form factor, which sets it apart from traditional laptops. It now houses the battery-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chipset, however, and the detachable keyboard has been improved with bolder, brighter keys and a Copilot button. Read our review.
Update May 20th: We’ve added preorder links and offer details for Best Buy.
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Tom Warren<![CDATA[A first look at Microsoft’s new Surface Pro with Arm chips inside]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/20/24160769/microsoft-surface-pro-2024-hands-on-pictures2024-05-20T15:17:42-04:002024-05-20T15:17:42-04:00
Microsoft has just announced a new Surface Pro, which is part of the new wave of Copilot Plus PCs. The new Pro, which is technically the "11th edition," starts at $999, comes in four colors, and is powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X processors. The base model comes with a 13-inch LCD screen, but you can upgrade to an OLED in some of the higher-end models. The chip is the star of the show here: it's what enables a lot of the AI features Microsoft touted onstage, what makes possible the 14-hour battery life Microsoft promises, and more.
The basic silhouette of the hardware hasn't changed much, save for the new Flex Keyboard attachment. Th …
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Wes DavisAllison Johnson<![CDATA[Hands-on with the Surface Laptop on Arm]]>https://www.theverge.com/24160789/microsoft-surface-laptop-6-arm-hands-on-snapdragon-x-elite2024-05-20T15:09:59-04:002024-05-20T15:09:59-04:00
The Surface Laptop for non-business types is here, and Microsoft hopes that after four years of Apple Silicon, its new Arm-based "Copilot Plus PC" has a shot at MacBooks.
The sapphire and slightly pink dune color options are fetching in person, and the 13.8-inch screen size feels generous for the machine's small footprint. I spent a few minutes playing around with the new Recall feature, which lets you search for things you were looking at on your computer - whether they were in an email, on a website, or in a slide deck. AI-powered search helps you find the right information and presents it in a kind of everything-timeline so you can (hope …
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Tom Warren<![CDATA[Inside Microsoft’s mission to take down the MacBook Air]]>https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/20/24160463/microsoft-windows-laptops-copilot-arm-chips-m12024-05-20T15:00:00-04:002024-05-20T15:00:00-04:00
Microsoft is confident that it finally nailed the transition to Arm chips - so confident that, this time around, the company spent an entire day pitting its new hardware against the MacBook Air.
On a recent morning at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft representatives set out new Surface devices equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips inside and compared them directly to Apple's category-leading laptop. I witnessed an hour of demos and benchmarks that started with Geekbench and Cinebench comparisons, then moved on to apps and compatibility.
Benchmark tests usually aren't that exciting to watch. But a lot was at st …
