Microsoft has started to boast about its new high-end PC Copilot+These are machines with Windows 11 and cutting-edge hardware that, according to the company itself, not only compete with Apple laptops but even surpass them in certain performance tests. In an internal document revealed by Windows Latest, the Redmond-based firm claims that these machines outperform the... MacBook Air with M4 chip when it comes to multi-core performance.
Beyond the comparison with Apple, Microsoft insists that the Copilot+ PCs represent a significant leap forward compared to older Windows computers. The company refers to them as state-of-the-art equipment. “up to five times faster” than a Windows 10 PC from five years ago, although he acknowledges that much of that improvement comes from the simple advancement of hardware, and not so much from the AI sticker or the integration of Copilot.
Copilot+ and the head-to-head with the MacBook Air M4
The leaked documents explain that the PC Copilot+ best positioned They outperform the MacBook Air with M4 in the Cinebench 2024 multi-core test. To achieve this, they rely on high-end configurations based on chips such as the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X2, designed to compete with Apple's processors in lightweight, low-power laptops.
Microsoft explains that these platforms compete head-to-head with the M4 Pro in specific scenariosAlthough it indirectly admits that they still fall short of the M4 Max in raw power, the message it wants to convey is clear: within certain price and usage ranges, a well-equipped Copilot+ can outperform the Air M4 in intensive, multi-core tasks.
It is important to keep in mind that this is about internal marketing-oriented testsThese tests were conducted under highly controlled conditions and with specific configurations chosen by Microsoft. The data does not include the latest chips across Apple's entire product line, nor does it explore all possible scenarios, so it should be interpreted with some caution.
For the European user torn between a Windows laptop and a MacBook, these comparisons serve as a reference, but they shouldn't be the only criterion. Aspects such as operating system, application ecosystem, or technical support In Spain and the rest of Europe, they continue to be decisive when choosing a team.
“Up to five times faster” than Windows 10 PCs
Microsoft's other major argument concerns the leap forward compared to Windows 10 computers from a few years ago. According to the company, the new Copilot+ PCs can be “up to five times faster than a Windows 10 PC” from five years ago in certain benchmarks carried out between July and September of last year.
The documentation itself clarifies, however, that this comparison starts from a point of reference that is unfavorable to older equipment. To compare current processors, graphics, and storage Hardware from 2020 or 2021 almost guarantees a clear victory for recent models, whether or not they carry the Copilot+ or AI label.
In other words, much of that increase in speed is due to the natural evolution of hardwareMore efficient cores, faster memory, and SSDs with higher read and write speeds. The "plus" of Copilot+ adds features linked to artificial intelligence already present in Windows 11, but it's not solely responsible for the performance leap.
Microsoft, however, is using this advantage to try to convince those still using older computers with Windows 10 in Europe and other markets. The idea is to convey that the time has come to upgrade, not only for the AI features, but also for the overall performance and autonomy that the new laptops offer.
AI at full speed: More powerful NPUs and a new approach
Where Microsoft does highlight a clearer change is in artificial intelligence processing capabilities. The Copilot+ PCs incorporate NPUs up to 40 TOPsThis is far above the 15 TOP scores offered by the first "AI PCs" with Windows 11. According to the company, this translates into up to 3,7 times better performance in AI tasks compared to those first batches.
This additional power allows functions such as the following to be executed locally: summarizing long documents, generating drafts, or creating flashcards without relying so heavily on the cloud. The promise is that many of these AI tools will work even when the user is offline, something especially interesting for students and professionals who travel frequently.
To highlight this integration, Microsoft has introduced a dedicated Copilot key and uses a striking metaphor: it describes it as a “Ctrl + Alt + Delete for your brain”The company wants the user to understand that key as a shortcut to "reset" mental chaos, get summaries on the fly, or unlock ideas when they draw a blank.
However, Microsoft's enthusiasm contrasts with a still skeptical market. Copilot's usage share on the web It barely exceeds 1%And some PC manufacturers seem to be shifting the focus of their advertising towards more tangible areas, such as gaming performance or classic productivity, rather than the “AI PC” label.
In Europe, where many users value the value for money and durability Beyond the latest trendy features, the perception of AI integrated into the system—as Copilot for iPhone— still under construction. For some users, Copilot and related tools are still an add-on, not a primary reason for purchase.
Autonomy: promises of many hours away from the plug
In addition to performance, Microsoft places great emphasis on the battery life of the Copilot+ PCs. The internal document mentions Up to 27 hours of local video playback19 hours of web browsing and 22 hours of content streaming, figures that, according to the company, multiply by more than four the battery life compared to some devices from five years ago.
These improvements rely on the efficiency of the chips like Snapdragon X Elite and X2 as in the optimization of Windows 11 to better manage energy consumption. The promise, on paper, is that a user can spend the entire workday, and then some, without having to look for a power outlet, something highly valued by students and mobile workers.
However, as always when discussing autonomy, these numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. ideal reference under very specific conditionsAnd not as a fixed guarantee. Screen brightness, the type of applications used, or the connection to mobile networks can significantly reduce those theoretical hours.
In any case, the general feeling is that laptops with Windows 11 and state-of-the-art hardware have come quite close to what was traditionally associated with MacBooks in this area: great battery life and moderate power consumption even with several tasks open at the same time.
For those who work remotely in Spain and the rest of Europe—from teleworkers moving between shared offices to university students—that combination of power and autonomy It has become one of the key factors when deciding on a new laptop.
A marketing message with both positive and negative aspects
The leaked document makes it clear that Microsoft will continue to invest heavily in the PC Copilot+ with Windows 11 as the spearhead of its strategy in the PC market. The company presents these devices as a kind of "supercharged Windows 11," where AI and new hardware go hand in hand.
However, it is also noticeable that a good part of the comparisons are designed to showcase the most spectacular jump possibleWhether it's compared to older Windows 10 computers or the MacBook Air with M4, the average user will have to filter that message and look at what's really behind the numbers.
From a purely technical standpoint, it's clear that a current Copilot+ laptop offers a much better experience than a five-year-old machine, in terms of performance, battery life, and AI capabilities. What remains to be seen is whether that improvement is enough for the Copilot+ label to become a reality. actual purchase claim and not just in another marketing brand.
Meanwhile, the market is shifting. Manufacturers like Dell have already begun to refocus part of their message on gaming and other more specific needs, and a segment of the Windows user community is viewing with suspicion the emphasis Microsoft wants to place on AI in the system, to the point that some have emerged recurring criticisms and jokes around this strategy.
Ultimately, for anyone considering upgrading their laptop in Spain or any other European country, the key will be to assess whether the promises of the PC Copilot+ —more power, longer battery life, and integrated AI features— outweigh alternatives like the MacBook Air M4 or traditional Windows laptops without so much marketing hype surrounding artificial intelligence.
With all these pieces on the table, the resulting picture is that of a PC Copilot+ that indeed offers a remarkable leap compared to previous generationswhich may outperform the MacBook Air M4 in certain specific tests, but whose real advantages in day-to-day use depend as much on the new hardware as on how each user gets along with Windows 11, Copilot and the AI tools that Microsoft wants to place at the center of its ecosystem.
