New Surface PCs meet the old Copilot+ bar and leave the name unused
Microsoft is not calling its new Surface PCs Copilot+ PCs, Windows Central and The Verge reported, even though the machines still meet the previous bar. Windows Central quotes Surface vice president Brett Ostrum. The Verge, citing that interview, spells the name Brett Ostrom and names the 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop. Qualcomm's Kedar Kondap told Windows Central that one example of the old bar was a 45 TOPS NPU and that the same experiences no longer need the name.
Artificial Intelligence··Evening
The new Surface PCs drop the name
Windows Central reported on 24 September that Surface corporate vice president Brett Ostrum said the new Surface PCs are not called Copilot+ PCs, while they still meet the previous bar for Copilot+ devices. The Verge reported on 25 September that the new 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop technically meet the system requirements for a Copilot Plus PC and that Microsoft is not calling them by that name anymore. The Verge quotes Surface CVP Brett Ostrom, the spelling it uses, telling Windows Central: these are not called Copilot Plus PCs.[1], [2]
Qualcomm's example of the old bar
Windows Central says Qualcomm's senior vice president of compute, Kedar Kondap, told that outlet the Copilot+ name defined a category for neural processing unit experiences, that one example of the bar was a 45 TOPS NPU, and that the same experiences are offered without that term. The Verge says Kondap, whom it calls Qualcomm's SVP of compute and gaming, told Zac Bowden that computers offering the same experiences will probably not use that branding anymore.[1], [2]
What each outlet adds
Windows Central adds that Ostrum said the company is leaning on an on-device AI story and a hybrid setup. The Verge adds that the flagship feature of Copilot Plus PCs, Microsoft's Recall, was not well received. The hardware requirements stay in place in both accounts. The new Surface PCs leave the name unused. Windows Central says 2026 Surface product names no longer carry the Copilot+ PC label, though specification sheets still note compatibility. The Verge adds that Recall, the flagship Copilot Plus PC feature, was not well received. The hardware bar remains. The unused piece is the name.[1], [2]
