Microsoft Copilot+ Daily news digest, 06-27-2024

Executive summary:

Repairability: Microsoft's new Surface Copilot+ PCs, including the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 10, are being praised for their high repairability. The internal components are easy to remove, and intelligent changes have been made to the internal structure for easier repairs. This is a significant positive aspect, especially when compared to the repair challenges faced with Apple and Google devices.

System Performance: The Surface Pro Copilot+ tablet is highlighted for its fast and efficient Arm-powered design, featuring a new OLED screen and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for powerful AI features. The AI integration with Olympics coverage and the ability to translate multiple languages into English are notable advancements. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of Nvidia GPU for fine-tuning algorithms and the missing pieces for an easy AI development workflow.

AI Integration: While Microsoft's Copilot+ laptops offer a suite of AI-powered tools for faster and smarter everyday tasks, concerns exist regarding the price point and the absence of certain features like touchscreen support. The AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code allows experimentation with small language models, but there is limited support for fine-tuning models on Copilot+ PCs.

Privacy and Security: The Windows Recall feature, which allows users to recover and remember previous tasks, has faced criticism for potentially recording too much user data, raising privacy concerns. Apple's "privacy first" narrative at WWDC contrasts with Microsoft's historic challenges in marketing and public relations, impacting user trust and security vulnerabilities.

Gaming Features: Microsoft's Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) feature, integrated into Windows, provides better upscaling results than competitor technologies. However, concerns have been raised about potential visual quality issues with detailed textures and GUI elements in supported games. The limited compatibility with only 11 games currently may restrict its appeal to gamers.

Future Development: Microsoft's commitment to enhancing Copilot's memory and personalization capabilities, as highlighted by AI chief Mustafa Suleyman, shows promise for the platform's evolution. However, concerns about user privacy and data security persist, especially with Copilot potentially remembering everything about its users.

Fundamentals view

App Compatibility

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Support for developing Arm versions of applications Lack of Nvidia GPU for fine-tuning algorithms
AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code to experiment with small language models Missing pieces for easy AI development workflow
- Difficulty in building fuller-featured applications around models

Battery Life

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Fast PC with excellent battery life -
Arm-native benchmarks comparable to Intel and AMD -
Built-in neural processing unit (NPU) with advanced local inference capabilities -

System Performance

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Fast and efficient Arm-powered Surface tablet -
New OLED screen and NPU for powerful AI features -
Microsoft Auto SR provides better results than driver-level upscalers Some detailed textures may look muddier compared to native images

Reliability

No data

Details

Microsoft's new Surface Copilot+ PCs are the most repairable on the market.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 10 are among the more repairable models on the market Memory in Surface Laptop 7 is soldered to the motherboard, making it difficult to replace
Internal components in Surface Laptop 7 are easy to remove down to the motherboard Some parts in Surface Pro 10 are challenging to repair due to adhesive used
Microsoft made intelligent changes to the internal structure for easier repairs Apple and Google devices are reported to be tough to repair
Wayfinder Markings in Surface Laptop 7 provide guidance on screws and components Original Surface Laptop received a repairability score of zero
SSD in Surface Pro 10 can be replaced without disassembly -

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/laptops/microsofts-new-surface-copilot-pcs-are-the-most-repairable-on-the-market

The Morning After: Microsoft's Surface Pro Copilot+ is the best Surface tablet yet.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Fast and efficient Arm-powered Surface tablet AI features are less compelling than speed and battery life
New OLED screen and NPU for powerful AI features Recall capability missing, potential security concerns with Recall data access
Cocreator in Paint for generating AI images Keyboards sold separately
Translation of 40-plus languages into English with Live Captions feature
Creation of humanoid robots with realistic skin
AI integration with Olympics coverage
Amazon's development of chatbot Metis with RAG model

Source: https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-microsofts-surface-pro-copilot-is-the-best-surface-tablet-yet-111534749.html

AI development on a Copilot+ PC? Not yet.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Fast PC with excellent battery life Lack of Nvidia GPU for fine-tuning algorithms
Arm-native benchmarks comparable to Intel and AMD Missing pieces for easy AI development workflow
Built-in neural processing unit (NPU) with advanced local inference capabilities Model playground doesn't utilize the NPU
Support for developing Arm versions of applications Difficulty in building fuller-featured applications around models
AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code to experiment with small language models Limited support for fine-tuning models on Copilot+ PC

Source: https://www.infoworld.com/article/3715584/ai-development-on-a-copilot-pc-not-yet.html

Are the new AI-powered Windows Copilot+ laptops worth it? Our hands-on opinion.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
New laptops with AI-powered suite of tools crafted by Microsoft Price in the four figures
Copilot+ laptops make everyday tasks faster and smarter Price point might be high for some consumers
Cutting-edge hardware specs and latest AI integration Lack of touchscreen, stylus support, or two-in-one functionality
Affordable starting price at $1,300
Thin and lightweight design for easy portability

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/essentials/is-windows-copilot-laptop-worth-it/

Watch Apple BRUTALLY roast Microsoft's spectacular Windows Recall AI failure.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Windows Recall feature allows users to recover and remember previous tasks performed on the computer The feature records everything the user does on Windows 11, raising privacy concerns and being labeled as creepy
Apple's "privacy first" narrative with its AI features at WWDC Microsoft's historic ineptitude in marketing and public relations, leading to a privacy backlash and security vulnerabilities
Apple's successful positioning and communication of its AI features Microsoft's failure to build trust in its AI features and the Recall PR failure
Apple's debut of "Apple Intelligence" at WWDC with a wave of AI experiences Microsoft's lack of platform control and bad messaging affecting user trust
Apple's ability to lead in global market share cap after WWDC Microsoft's potential loss of user trust and market share to Apple in the AI space
Apple's superior integrations and synergy compared to Microsoft's unfocused app teams Microsoft's lack of innovation and falling behind in AI features compared to competitors
Microsoft's success with business-oriented applications like Github Copilot Microsoft's Windows AI features being criticized for lack of innovation and user feedback
Microsoft's potential role in providing cloud infrastructure for AI experiences Microsoft's Windows division suffering from a lack of direction and cohesion
Microsoft's Copilot+ and gaming features like Auto Super Resolution Microsoft's struggle to compete with other solutions in AI video editing, graphic design, communication tools, and more
Microsoft's potential to be shut out of consumer AI solutions by Apple and Google Microsoft's lack of a mobile platform impacting its position in the AI market

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/watch-apple-brutally-roast-microsofts-185420250.html

Microsoft wants Copilot to remember everything about users and become sidekick, says AI chief Suleyman.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Mustafa Suleyman's focus on enhancing Copilot's memory and personalization capabilities Microsoft's reputation in Silicon Valley being overshadowed by Google
Suleyman's commitment to making Copilot a supportive presence for users The need to uplift the quality of Copilot despite already having millions of users
Suleyman's extensive background in AI innovation and policy advancement Microsoft's AI division facing the challenge of entering a new era of innovation
Suleyman's dedication to social causes and leadership potential Potential concerns about the privacy and security of user data with Copilot remembering everything about its users

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/microsoft-wants-copilot-to-remember-everything-about-users-and-become-sidekick-says-ai-chief-suleyman-2559121-2024-06-27

Microsoft's Upscaler Is the Only Reason Gamers Will Care About a CoPilot+ PC.

Key positive aspects Key concerns
Microsoft Auto SR provides better results than driver-level upscalers like NVIDIA Image Scaling and AMD Radeon Super Resolution. Some detailed textures may look muddier compared to native images, like the tree canopy in the Borderlands 3 screenshots.
Auto SR is integrated into Windows itself, eliminating the need for game developers to enable special options for it to work best. GUI elements like HUD, maps, icons, and menus may appear worse-looking due to being rendered at a lower resolution and then upscaled.
Auto SR automatically turns on in supported games in full-screen and windowed borderless modes, making it convenient for users. Auto SR currently only works with 11 games, limiting its compatibility, but more games are expected to be supported in the future.
Microsoft plans to make most DX11 and DX12 games Auto SR-compatible, expanding its reach. DX9 and older games, as well as those using Vulkan and OpenGL graphics runtimes, are not and won’t be compatible with Auto SR.

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/microsofts-upscaler-is-the-only-reason-gamers-will-care-about-a-copilot-pc/