Microsoft is quietly dropping the "Copilot+ PC" branding from its new Surface devices (Surface Pro and Laptop 13-inch, 2nd Edition) launching October 13, even though they meet all the original hardware requirements. The shift signals that AI PC specifications are becoming table stakes rather than a distinct marketing category, with Qualcomm confirming the same edge AI experiences will continue under different naming.
Background
Microsoft launched the Copilot+ PC initiative in 2024 as a branding effort to identify Windows devices with dedicated NPUs for local AI workloads. The program required 40+ TOPS NPU, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage as baseline specifications.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 26, 2026 at 01:57 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10