First Copilot+ PC Reviews Suggest Waiting for Intel and AMD

The first laptops branded as Copilot+ by Microsoft, powered by Qualcomm’s new X Elite Arm-based processor, have arrived, promising significant power and efficiency, with an NPU for AI-related tasks.

However, initial reviews indicate these first-generation machines may primarily appeal to early adopters due to limitations in Windows on Arm software compatibility.

Our sister site, PCMag, reviewed one of these new Surface PCs with Copilot+ branding. Priced at $1,999, it features the flagship 12-core X Elite processor, 32GB of memory, and 1TB of storage. The tested model has a 13.8-inch display, but a 15-inch version is also available. The X Elite chip integrates three processors: a CPU, GPU, and NPU, making it akin to Apple’s M-series chips. Notably, the NPU achieves 45 TOPS (tera operations per second), surpassing the 40 TOPS threshold required for Copilot+ branding. Previous mobile CPUs from AMD and Intel had NPUs, but their performance ranged from 11-16 TOPS, rendering them ineligible for Copilot+.

PCMag’s testing confirmed that the Arm-based processor largely meets its pre-launch promises, delivering an impressive 25-hour battery life and strong CPU and AI performance. However, two main issues emerged: unremarkable gaming performance and a scarcity of Windows software that runs natively on Arm. Microsoft’s emulator for non-native apps, Prism, helps but can't match the speed of native applications.

Only two gaming apps, both synthetic 3DMark tests, were ready for Arm, highlighting the current incompatibility of Arm-based laptops with gaming. Finding Arm-based versions of popular software is also challenging, though this is expected to improve as Microsoft pushes its Arm alliance. Arm aims to capture up to 50% of the Windows market within five years.

Android Authority echoed concerns about the limited availability of native Arm applications, listing Adobe Lightroom Classic, Discord, Asana, and Steam as examples. These apps rely on the emulator, leading to varying performance issues in these early days.

Given the impending release of AMD’s Strix Point Zen 5 chips and Intel’s Lunar Lake mobile CPUs, both x86-based and thus not requiring emulation, it might be wise to hold off on purchasing a Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PC. AMD’s CPUs are set to launch in July, with Copilot+ features arriving later this year. Intel’s Lunar Lake CPUs are also expected later this year. Waiting for these releases could spare you the hassle of hunting for Arm native apps and ensure better performance.