Copilot+ PCs: AI notebooks with Snapdragon chips

The advent of Copilot+ PCs sees Qualcomm entering the market as a chip manufacturer for Windows notebooks. The Snapdragon X Elite processors promise twice the performance, more AI and half the power consumption of their predecessors with Intel and AMD chips. It’s why all the major PC manufacturers boast their own Snapdragon devices.

Before we take a look at the notebooks, here’s a summary of what makes the new chipsets so special and what Copilot+ stands for.

Snapdragon X enables Copilot+ AI

The name Copilot+ is derived from the basic functions that Windows is initially only offering in the new notebooks.

• Recall as an AI search on the computer
• Cocreator in Paint: create and edit images with the help of AI
• live subtitles for videos or video calls: featuring 44 languages translated into English at the time of launch
• Windows Studio Effects: AI helps with filters and backgrounds in video calls and makes sure your eyes look straight into the camera
• redesigning or revamping photos with the help of AI.

However, the Recall feature isn’t yet available for everyone. At short notice, Microsoft decided to continue testing it within the Windows Insider Program for the time being.

As well as the basic functions, there are other AI applications in individual apps, such as Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve Studio, CapCut, LiquidText and djay Pro.

The main prerequisite for these new functions is the Qualcomm chipset. There are currently three different variants of the Snapdragon X Elite and one Snapdragon X Plus. While the Plus version boasts ten computing cores, the Elite models each have twelve. The Elite models differ in terms of clock rate and integrated graphics chip.

Bear in mind: all four chipsets reach the necessary 40 TOPS for AI applications – and even exceed it at 45 TOPS. This means that AI apps run directly on the computer and don’t require a cloud connection. You can find more details about the Snapdragon X in this overview by fellow editor Martin Jud.

Intel and AMD have already unveiled chipsets that also achieve 40 TOPS. The new AMD processors are expected to be available from July, while Intel models are set to arrive in autumn.

What Copilot+ PCs have in common

All Copilot+ PCs achieve at least 40 TOPS and have a minimum of 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. So far, only Microsoft has made use of the smallest storage capacity. The other manufacturers always offer at least 512 GB. All models also come with two USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm audio jack as standard. The main differences lie in the other ports, storage options on offer, display, battery capacity and the Snapdragon chip installed.

Most devices come with Windows 11 Home. The business models usually have Windows 11 Pro out of the box. But with some computers, you can also choose which system you’d prefer. I’ve not included info on battery life, as the manufacturers use different scenarios to gauge this. You’ll have to wait for us to test out the individual devices.

Acer Swift 14 AI

For the time being, Acer is only launching one Copilot+ PC. The Swift 14 AI will be available from August. Its recommended retail price in Germany starts at 1,399 euros. In Switzerland, this computer is currently available to pre-order for 1,341 francs.

Notionally the weakest of the new processors, the Snapdragon X Plus, was Acer’s choice for the Swift 14 AI build. Its SSD offers up to 1 TB of storage, while two USB-A sockets complement the two standard USB-C ports.

The 14.5-inch IPS display has a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels, corresponding to an aspect ratio of 16:10. It achieves a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and is said to cover 100% of the sRGB colour space.

The battery capacity of the 1.36 kg Swift 14 AI sits at 75 Wh.

You can find Acer’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.

Asus Vivobook S 15

Asus is also starting with just one Copilot+ PC. The Vivobook S 15 is already available and features the basic version of the Snapdragon X Elite. You can choose between 16 and 32 GB of RAM. The SSD always offers 1 TB of storage.

At 15.6 inches, the OLED display is larger than on the Acer. With an aspect ratio of 16:9, it boasts 2880 × 1620 pixels. The refresh rate also reaches 120 Hz. And at 500 nits, the screen is brighter than the notebook average. The Vivobook S 15 is the only Copilot+ notebook to advertise 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space.

Asus supplements the standard connections with two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port and a microSD card reader slot. The Vivobook S 15 weighs 1.42 kg and contains a 70 Wh battery.

You can find Acer’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.

Dell has announced five Copilot+ PCs

Things are more confusing at Dell, which has announced five Copilot+ PCs, but hasn’t yet given details of all the devices. In brief, there’s the XPS 13, a device from Dell’s top range, two Inspiron devices from the classic range, and two business models from Latitude series. These devices will be available no sooner than the end of July.

Dell Latitude 7455 and 5455

The Dell Latitude 7455 features a 14-inch touchscreen with 2560 × 1440 pixel resolution and an aspect ratio of 16:10. As this is a business notebook, it comes with Windows 11 Pro out of the box. While 32 GB is available, the precise Snapdragon X Elite version is down to you.

Dell supplements the standard connections with a USB-A port and microSD card reader. There’s also an optional SIM card slot.

Further information on the Dell Latitude 5455 is set to follow later in the year.

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

When it comes to the two Inspiron models, we currently only have details on the Plus version. The name makes it clear that this notebook has the Snapdragon X Plus built in. Meanwhile, with this missing from the other Inspiron 14, it would suggest this contains a Snapdragon X Elite.

The 14-inch IPS touchscreen has an aspect ratio of 16:10 and a respectable 400-nit brightness. It’s meant to cover 100% of the sRGB colour space.

The SSD offers up to 1 TB of storage. At 54 Wh, the battery seems comparatively small. Dell supplements the standard connections with a USB-A port and microSD card reader.

Dell XPS 13

Dell has equipped its XPS 13 with the mid-range Snapdragon X Elite, but gives you plenty of choice when it comes to other configuration options:

• Windows 11 Home or Pro
• 16, 32 or 64 GB of RAM
• 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB of SSD

You also have three options when it comes to the 13.4-inch display:

• without touchscreen: 1920 × 1200 pixels, 120 Hz, 500 nits
• with touchscreen: 2560 × 1600 pixels, 60 hertz, 500 nits
• with touchscreen: 2880 × 1800 pixels, 60 Hz, 400 nits

The battery has a capacity of 55 Wh, and Dell seems to think that two USB-C ports are sufficient in terms of connections.

You can find Dell’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.

HP OmniBook X and EliteBook Ultra

The OmniBook X and EliteBook Ultra G1q business notebook from HP have the same inner workings. There are differences in optics, in Windows – the Pro version for the business model – and in the 14-inch touchscreens with 2240 × 1400 pixels (16:10), 300 nits and 100% coverage of the sRBG colour space. While the OmniBook X boasts an IPS display, the EliteBook Ultra has a WLED backlight and an anti-glare screen.

HP equips both with the «weakest» version of the Snapdragon X Elite and offers up to 1 TB of storage. Meanwhile, maximum memory is 32 GB. The battery capacity is 59 Wh, and there’s only one USB-A port in addition to the two USB-C connections.

You can find HP’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.

Lenovo Yoga Slim and ThinkPad

Lenovo has added a variant with the suffix X to the Yoga Slim 7 range. Its special feature is a display that’s twice as bright. This device is only available with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. The version without X comes with half the amount of RAM (16 GB), but other than that, they’re identical.

The Yoga Slim 7X features a 14.5-inch OLED display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Its 2944 × 1840 resolution is paired with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 450 nits of brightness. Lenovo has built the basic version of the Snapdragon X Elite into its notebooks. In terms of battery, the capacity is comparatively high at 70 Wh, and you can choose between Windows Home or Pro. However, there aren’t any additional connections alongside the two USB-C ports.

Windows Pro is a permanent feature of the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 business notebook. The basic version of the Snapdragon X Elite comes with 32 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, its SSD always provides 1 TB of storage. However, at 58 Wh, its battery is smaller. But it makes up for it with two additional USB-A connections and an HDMI 2.1 port.

The 14.5-inch IPS display features a resolution of 1920 × 1200 pixels, which equates to an aspect ratio of 16:10. It’s meant to cover 100% of the sRGB colour space and has a brightness of 400 nits.

You can find Lenovo’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.

Microsoft Surface Pro and Laptop

Microsoft’s two Copilot+ devices are the Surface Pro and the Surface Laptop, each with several variants.

Surface Pro

The Surface Pro is the only Copilot+ tablet or convertible, and the smallest and lightest of the AI devices. It only weighs 895 g, but this doesn’t include the plug-in keyboard you have to add. Together they’re over 1 kg, but it still remains a lighter option than a notebook.

The Surface Pro combines a touchscreen and Snapdragon chip. The model with an LCD display is equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus, while the OLED version boasts the Snapdragon X Elite. Its 2880 × 1920 resolution is paired with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 450 nits of brightness. They both achieve 120 Hz and 600 nits. In terms of differentiation, the OLED has a higher contrast ratio and creates a higher peak brightness.

You can choose between 16 or 32 GB of RAM. For internal storage, there’s 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB on offer. However, there aren’t any additional connections alongside the two USB-C ports. The battery has a capacity of 48 Wh, while the OLED version offers 53 Wh.

Surface Laptop

The Surface Laptop has an LCD touchscreen with an aspect ratio of 3:2. There are two sizes to choose from: the 13.8 incher with 2304 × 1536 pixels or 15 incher with 2496 × 1664 resolution. The brightness of both models reaches 600 nits and the refresh rate, 120 Hz.

While you can choose between the Snapdragon X Plus and the second-best X Elite for the small Surface Laptop, the large version is only available with the runner-up Snapdragon X Elite. Its size also has an impact on weight – 1.34 kg and 1.66 kg – and battery capacity – 54 and 66 Wh.

As with the Surface Pro, memory is available in 16 or 32 GB of RAM and SSD memory in 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB. Microsoft has added a USB-A socket to the standard connections and a microSD card reader to the 15-inch model.

You can find Microsoft’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge

Samsung offers its Galaxy Book 4 Edge in two sizes, which also differ in terms of features. Despite their different measurements, they both boast 16:10 AMOLED displays with 2880 × 1800 pixels, 120 Hz, 400 nits and 120% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space.

The 14-inch version of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge has the mid-range version of the Snapdragon X Elite built in. Samsung is currently the only manufacturer to install the best version of the Snapdragon X Elite into its 16-inch model.

The large Galaxy Book also features a keyboard with a numeric keypad and is available with 1 TB of storage. In addition to the two standard USB-C ports, it also showcases a USB-A connection, which the small Samsung notebook doesn’t have. However, both boast an HDMI 2.1 connection.

You can find Samsung’s Snapdragon chip notebooks here while stocks available.