Do not worry! Copilot+ PC does not make Windows 11 systems obsolete!

 While the new AI-powered features are certainly exciting, don't worry! Your Windows 11 computer won't become obsolete because of them.

What is Copilot+?

Copilot+ is Microsoft's initiative to help AI tools run on local hardware. Typically, when chatting with a service like Copilot or asking ChatGPT to do something for you, what you enter is sent to an external server to process the request. The server then sends its answer back to your PC so you can read what the AI ​​told you.

With the AI ​​revolution in full swing, computer manufacturers are looking for ways to get these models to run on PCs without sending data to external servers. In response, Microsoft created a specification for a new type of PC called Copilot+ computers. These PCs have NPUs that can handle more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS) to run all of Copilot's AI engines locally.

What does Copilot+ add to Windows 11?

Because Copilot+ PCs can run AI engines on their own hardware, they have access to features that regular Windows 11 PCs don't have. At the time of writing, PC Copilot+ can perform automatic AI-generated annotations, as well as Cocreator support for Paint that can generate images. It also features Auto Super Resolution for better frame rates while gaming and helps the Copilot assistant work on your own hardware.

Does Copilot+ make Windows 11 redundant?

So should you throw away your Windows 11 PC and buy a Copilot+ PC? Not really - at least, you don't have to if you don't want to.

The benefit of having a Copilot+ device is to help exploit AI tools better. This includes both tools provided by Microsoft and any third-party applications that take advantage of the NPU installed on the system. NPUs can accelerate existing AI tools or enable the use of much more powerful tools.

Additionally, the release of Copilot+ does not make Windows 11 redundant. In fact, Copilot+ builds on Windows 11 instead of replacing it. All Copilot+ tools are included in Windows 11 24H2 updates; If you download it to a Copilot+ compatible computer, you get AI tools. If they are not compatible, you will not receive them.

Should I buy PC Copilot+?

Whether or not you should buy Copilot+ depends on whether you want to use the AI ​​tool or not. At the very least, you shouldn't rush to buy a Copilot+ PC because you're worried that Windows 11 is becoming redundant. After all, Copilot+ only adds to Windows 11 instead of replacing it.

Do you want your Copilot assistant to use local hardware to process its responses? Do you want to create AI art or use tools to tweak photos so they look their best? Or want to use Copilot+'s subtitles feature to add subtitles to any content you want? Then get Copilot+ PC and unlock all the AI ​​tools that Microsoft and third-party apps can give you. After all, you won't get them on a regular PC.

Not bothered with all the AI ​​stuff? Still continue to use the computer as usual? You actually don't need to buy a Copilot+ device. Don't feel pressured to buy a new PC just to keep up with trends.

Copilot+ will not make regular Windows 11 PCs redundant. This is an upgrade in terms of AI, but if you don't want to use AI tools, it's better to just stick with what you have.

Micah Soto

Update 08 July 2024