Microsoft Copilot+ PCs (e.g., Surface Laptop 7) Review

Microsoft is once again rewriting the rules of the personal computer, betting that the future isn’t just faster, but smarter. The new Copilot+ PCs, led by flagship devices like the Surface Laptop 7, represent a fundamental shift in how we interact with our most essential tool. It’s a bold vision where on-device AI anticipates your needs, transforming productivity and creativity in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

After years of chasing Apple’s M-series silicon, the Windows ecosystem finally has its answer in the form of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors. These ARM-based chips are the heart of every Copilot+ PC, and they deliver on two long-promised fronts: incredible power efficiency and desktop-class performance. In practice, this translates to a laptop like the Surface Laptop 7 that runs cool and quiet under load while offering legitimate all-day battery life that stretches well into a second day of light use. Native ARM64 applications fly, feeling instantly responsive, but the real test is the new Prism emulation layer for legacy x86 apps. While not flawless, performance is shockingly good for most mainstream software, a massive leap over Microsoft’s previous attempts at Windows on ARM.

The hardware itself, exemplified by the new Surface Laptop, is a study in refinement. The all-metal chassis is rigid, impossibly thin, and feels every bit as premium as its price tag suggests. Microsoft has finally added a decent selection of ports (including two USB-C/USB4 ports) and introduced a larger haptic touchpad that is simply excellent, rivaling the best in the business. The display is bright and color-accurate, and the subtle design tweaks create a silhouette that is modern, minimalist, and professional. It’s an evolution of a familiar design, but it’s an evolution that perfects the formula.

Of course, the main event is the suite of exclusive AI features powered by the chip’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which handles an astounding 45 trillion operations per second. The most talked-about feature is Recall, which constantly screenshots your activity to create a searchable, visual timeline of everything you’ve done on your PC. While its utility for finding that one specific document or website is undeniable, the privacy implications are significant and will be a major point of debate. Other features, like Live Captions that can translate audio from over 40 languages in real-time, and Cocreator, which turns simple sketches into complex AI-generated art, feel less controversial and more like a genuine glimpse into the future of computing. These tasks happen instantly and entirely on-device, without needing a cloud connection.

So, is a Copilot+ PC the right choice? For a certain type of user, the answer is an emphatic yes. The combination of extreme battery life, snappy performance, and a premium build makes it a road warrior’s dream. The AI features, while still in their infancy, offer powerful new ways to work and create. However, the reliance on emulation for some professional-grade applications and the valid privacy concerns around Recall mean it isn’t a universal recommendation just yet. This is the bleeding edge—a brilliantly executed first-generation product that sets a new benchmark for Windows laptops. It’s for the early adopter and the mobile professional who values efficiency and is ready to embrace the nascent age of AI-powered computing.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon