TecnoOrange 
Microsoft has been bombarding us for months with the term Copilot+ PC as if it were the next computing revolution. Ads, events, YouTuber sponsorships… The question many people ask is simple: what is a Copilot Plus PC and is it worth buying? I’ll explain with total honesty, without being a Microsoft spokesperson or a blind detractor.
A Copilot+ PC isn’t just a laptop with Windows 11. It’s a computer with a processor that includes an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) dedicated to running artificial intelligence features locally, without relying on the cloud. That means tools like Recall, Cocreator in Paint, and advanced Copilot features run directly on your hardware, faster and without needing internet.
Table of contents
Table of contents
What makes a Copilot+ PC special?
The main difference between a normal PC and a Copilot+ PC is the NPU. Think of it as a secondary processor, like the GPU (graphics card) but dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence tasks.
What is an NPU?
An NPU is a chip designed specifically to execute AI models efficiently. While your CPU (main processor) can run AI but consumes a lot of power, and your GPU can do it but generates a lot of heat, the NPU runs AI tasks with very low energy consumption.
Requirements to be a Copilot+ PC
For Microsoft to certify a laptop as Copilot+ PC, it must meet:
- NPU with at least 40 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of power.
- 16 GB RAM minimum.
- 256 GB SSD minimum.
- Updated Windows 11.
The processors currently meeting these requirements are:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite/Plus (45 TOPS).
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series (48 TOPS).
- AMD Ryzen AI 300 (50 TOPS).
Exclusive Copilot+ PC features
These are the features you can ONLY use on a Copilot+ PC that aren’t available on a regular Windows 11 laptop:
| Feature | Description | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| Recall | Captures and searches everything you’ve done on the PC | Depends on your work |
| Cocreator in Paint | Generates images with DALL-E locally | For creatives |
| Live Captions | Real-time subtitles for any audio/video | Very useful for accessibility |
| Windows Studio Effects | Background blur, camera focus, lighting in video calls | For meetings |
| Super Resolution in Photos | Improves quality of old photos with AI | For photographers |
| Partial offline Copilot | Some Copilot features work offline | For travelers |
My honest opinion: The most useful Copilot+ PC feature for the average user is Windows Studio Effects. If you spend many hours in video calls (Zoom, Teams, Meet), the intelligent camera with automatic background blur, facial focus, and lighting correction is a real change. The other features are interesting but not indispensable for most.
Best Copilot+ PCs in 2026
These are the models that stand out in the current market:
High-end (the best)
| Model | Processor | RAM | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Laptop 7 | Snapdragon X Elite | 16 GB | $1,200-$1,500 | Premium design, excellent display |
| Dell XPS 13 (2024) | Snapdragon X Elite | 16 GB | $1,300-$1,600 | Compact, powerful, great battery |
| ASUS Zenbook S 14 | Intel Core Ultra 258V | 32 GB | $1,400-$1,800 | Best OLED display |
Mid-range (best value)
| Model | Processor | RAM | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Swift 14 AI | Intel Core Ultra 228V | 16 GB | $900-$1,100 | Great battery, competitive price |
| HP OmniBook X | Snapdragon X Plus | 16 GB | $950-$1,200 | Lightweight, silent, 20hr battery |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 | 16 GB | $1,000-$1,300 | Versatile, good keyboard |
Budget
| Model | Processor | RAM | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Swift Go 14 AI | Snapdragon X Plus | 16 GB | $700-$900 | Cheapest Copilot+ PC |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 5x | Snapdragon X Plus | 16 GB | $750-$900 | Good for students |
Is it worth buying a Copilot+ PC?
My answer depends on your profile:
YES, it’s worth it if…
- You spend many hours in video calls and value the intelligent camera.
- You work with images and want the AI features in Paint and Photos.
- You want to try Recall and find it useful for your work.
- You want an ultralight laptop with amazing battery life (Snapdragon models last 15-20 hours).
- You’re an early adopter who likes having the latest.
NO, it’s not worth it if…
- Your current PC works fine and you just need to browse, watch YouTube, and use Office.
- You’re not interested in AI features or Recall.
- You need graphics power for gaming or heavy video editing (NPUs don’t replace a dedicated GPU).
- Your budget is tight and you can’t justify the premium.
- You use many professional apps not optimized for ARM (Snapdragon models have compatibility issues with some x86 programs).
My personal recommendation
If you’re buying a new laptop anyway and your budget is around $900-$1,200, a Copilot+ PC like the Acer Swift 14 AI or HP OmniBook X makes sense because you get modern hardware with extra features. But don’t buy a Copilot+ PC just for the AI features. Buy it if you need a new laptop and the AI features are a bonus.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Copilot+ PCs slower than regular PCs?
No, quite the opposite. Processors with NPUs (Snapdragon X, Intel Lunar Lake, AMD Strix Point) are latest-generation and offer excellent overall performance. The NPU is a complement, not a replacement.
Do all programs work on a Copilot+ PC?
It depends on the processor. Models with Intel and AMD use x86 architecture and everything works like on a normal PC. Models with Snapdragon use ARM and some older x86 programs may not work or run emulated with some performance loss.
Does a Copilot+ PC need internet for AI?
Not for the main features. The NPU processes locally, so Recall, Windows Studio Effects, and other basic features work without internet. Only advanced Copilot chat features need a connection.
Can I convert my current PC into a Copilot+ PC?
No. You need a processor with an integrated NPU. You can’t add an NPU to an existing PC. If your processor doesn’t have a neural processing unit, you can’t use Copilot+ PC exclusive features.
Conclusion
Knowing what a Copilot Plus PC is and whether it’s worth buying comes down to this: it’s a latest-generation laptop with a dedicated AI chip that gives you access to exclusive features like Recall, Windows Studio Effects, and local image generation.
In 2026, Copilot+ PCs are no longer expensive prototypes. There are options from $700 with excellent performance. But AI features are still more of a “nice to have” than a “must have.” If you’re upgrading your laptop, a Copilot+ PC is a good future-proof investment. If your current PC works fine, there’s no rush to switch.