Tag Archives: Copilot+

Computers, News

Malaysian Pre-Orders for the All-New AI-powered Surface Pro 11 & Surface Laptop 7 Are LIVE!

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Get ready to experience the future of computing with the arrival of the Surface Pro 11th Edition and Surface Laptop 7th Edition! Microsoft unveiled its latest Surface devices back in May. These innovations boast cutting-edge AI features, blazing-fast performance, and a commitment to user experience. More importantly, they’re up for pre-order in Malaysia right now!

Copilot Surface

Pre-orders for the Surface Pro 11th Edition and Surface Laptop 7th Edition are now open. Both the Surface devices will be priced from RM5,399.

From July 11th to August 5th, 2024, pre-ordering through Microsoft’s partner, SNS Network (M) Sdn Bhd, grants you access to exclusive deals you won’t want to miss.

Pre-Order Perks:

  • Bundle Deals: Score bundle deals worth up to RM700, giving you valuable extras alongside your new Surface device.
  • PWP Deals: Take advantage of PWP (purchase-with-purchase) offers worth up to RM848, further maximizing your value.
  • GrabFood Voucher: Enjoy a delicious meal while setting up your new Surface with a complimentary GrabFood voucher worth RM80.

Preorders can be made at:

Here’s a quick recap of what the new Surface devices are bringing to the table.

Surface Pro 11: The Ultimate 2-in-1 for Pros on the Go

The Surface Pro 11th Edition is a flexible 2-in-1 device that can seamlessly transform from a tablet to a laptop. It comes with Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PC feature, harnessing the power of the built-in NPU on the Snapdragon X Series processor. Microsoft is using this to streamline workflow with AI-powered experiences. The Surface Pro 11 delivers a remarkable 14 hours of battery life, ensuring you can stay productive throughout your day without needing to scramble for a charger.

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Powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, the Surface Pro 11 is touted to be able to handle editing complex videos, rendering intricate 3D models, or simply juggling multiple demanding applications.

Surface Laptop 7: Elegance Meets Speed

The Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a sleek and stylish device that is geared for students, professionals, and anyone who demands both performance and aesthetics. It also integrates Microsoft’s Copilot+ which will be able to anticipate your needs and help you work smarter and faster. It comes with high-resolution display options available in both 13.8-inch and 15-inch configurations.

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The Surface Laptop is boasting about 20 hours of video playback on a single charge, you can work, play, and create without worrying about interruptions. The Surface Laptop 7 is powered by the same Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors as the Surface Pro 11, guaranteeing exceptional performance for all your computing needs.

Business, Computers, News

Microsoft Leads the CoPilot+ PC Charge with the new Generation of Surface Laptop and Surface Pro

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Microsoft is signaling a paradigm shift in PCs with the introduction of CoPilot+ PCs. This new generation of intelligent machines leverages the power of ARM processors and AI features to redefine user experience. Here’s a closer look at the all-new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, the first devices to spearhead the CoPilot+ revolution.

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Surface Laptop – Designed for Mobility and Productivity

The Surface Laptop continues its legacy of being a thin-and-light laptop. Starting at a feathery 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg), it boasts a 13.8-inch PixelSense touchscreen HDR display with vibrant colors and exceptional clarity. The AI-powered features take center stage, with innovations like “Recall” allowing users to effortlessly search through past activities and retrieve information. Imagine revisiting a specific point in a document you viewed weeks ago – Recall surfaces it instantly.

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The Surface Laptop is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processors with upto 32 GB of RAM and upto 1 TB of memory, delivering exceptional performance and efficiency. Multiple sources, including Engadget, highlight an impressive battery life exceeding 22 hours on a single charge – perfect for professionals and students on the go. The sleek, signature design is available in a variety of captivating colors, making a statement wherever you take it.

Surface Pro – Unmatched Versatility and Power

The Surface Pro remains the ultimate device for those who demand flexibility. This 2-in-1 powerhouse seamlessly transforms from a high-performance laptop to a versatile tablet with its stunning 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen display. The detachable keyboard with backlit keys ensures a comfortable typing experience, while the integrated kickstand allows for effortless adaptation to any work style.

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Under the hood, the Surface Pro boasts the mighty Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips complemented by up to 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of memory, delivering exceptional performance for demanding tasks like video editing and creative workflows.

Pricing & Availability

The Surface Laptop and Surface Pro with CoPilot+ features are available for pre-order now, with official release dates expected in early July.

The Surface Laptop starts at $999 and comes in a variety of colors, including Sapphire, Platinum, and the ever-popular Matte Black.

The Surface Pro starts at $1,000 and is available in Platinum and Graphite color options.

Business, Computers

Microsoft Introduces Copilot+ PCs Signaling a Significant Change in Personal Computing for Windows PCs

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The personal computer landscape is on the edge of a revolution. Microsoft has just introduced Copilot+ PCs. These PCs are powered by next-generation ARM processors which signifies a bold leap forward in AI-powered computing experiences.

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Pivoting to ARM’s x64 Architecture for Both Power and Efficiency

For decades, x86 processors have dominated the PC market. However, ARM processors, known for their superior power efficiency in mobile devices, are finally making significant inroads into the PC realm. It also marks a shift to x64-based programs which are able to perform more efficiently. This shift paves the way for lighter, fanless designs and significantly longer battery life – features highly sought after by mobile professionals and everyday users alike.

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The Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips powering Copilot+ PCs boast over 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This immense processing power isn’t just about raw speed; it fuels the next wave of AI applications directly on the device.

Copilot+ PCs – Microsoft’s Big Shift in Human-PC Interactions

Copilot+ PCs aren’t merely hardware upgrades. They are a shift in both performance and efficiency but, more than that, these laptops seem to be Microsoft’s way of changing the way we interact with our PCs.

Recall instantly with Recall on Copilot+ PC

A key feature is “Recall,” a revolutionary AI assistant that functions as a virtual memory bank. Recall leverages the power of the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to continuously record and analyze user activity. This allows users to effortlessly search through past browsing history, voice chats, documents, and even specific on-screen moments. Imagine presenting and needing to reference a specific point you saw in a research paper two weeks ago – Recall can instantly surface that information, making research and presentations a breeze. Students can revisit key points from lectures, writers can effortlessly find inspiration from past notes, and the possibilities extend to countless other scenarios.

Recall is just the tip of the iceberg. Copilot+ PCs offer a broader array of AI-powered features designed to enhance productivity and creativity. Imagine a virtual language coach providing real-time feedback during presentations, highlighting areas for improvement and suggesting alternative phrasing. Creatives can leverage AI-powered tools for tasks like content creation, video editing, and graphic design, with the system intelligently adapting to their workflow and suggesting improvements.

Turn ideas into art with Cocreator on Copilot+ PC

Microsoft has meticulously reimagined Windows 11 to seamlessly integrate with ARM processors and unlock the full potential of AI features. Features like “Cocreator” allow for real-time collaboration on creative projects, with AI assisting in brainstorming and suggesting ideas. “Windows Studio Effects” leverages AI to enhance video calls, automatically adjusting lighting, background noise, and even eye contact to create a more professional and engaging experience. These features, combined with the power of the NPU, promise to transform the way we work, create, and connect.

Security remains a paramount concern in today’s digital world. Copilot+ PCs are built with security in mind, featuring the latest security features from Microsoft and Qualcomm. All Copilot+ PCs are “Secure Core” PCs, with additional hardware and software protections built-in to safeguard user data and privacy. This comprehensive approach to security ensures a worry-free experience for users who can focus on their tasks without compromising their digital safety.

Bridging the Gap with Prism

The transition to ARM processors and the integration of advanced AI features like Recall represent a turning point for Microsoft and the PC industry as a whole. While some existing software may require adaptation, the potential benefits are undeniable. With longer battery life, superior performance, and groundbreaking AI features, Copilot+ PCs promise to usher in a new era of intelligent and user-centric computing. Microsoft is committed to working closely with developers to ensure a smooth transition and unlock the full potential of the ARM ecosystem.

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Microsoft is committed to working closely with developers to ensure a smooth transition and unlock the full potential of the ARM ecosystem. A key component of this strategy is “Prism,” a translation layer that acts as a bridge between ARM processors and existing x86 applications. Similar to Rosetta on Macs, Prism allows users to run x86 applications seamlessly on their ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, ensuring compatibility with a vast library of existing software. It is reported that Prism can even improve the performance of some x86 applications on ARM hardware.

Unanswered Questions and the Road Ahead

While Copilot+ PCs represent a significant leap forward, some questions linger. The compatibility of existing software with ARM architecture needs to be addressed, and the long-term impact on software developers requires careful consideration. However, Microsoft’s commitment to developer tools and emulation solutions suggests a proactive approach to these challenges. That said, the company’s track record with Windows on ARM has not been the most reassuring.

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Be that as it may, the arrival of Copilot+ PCs marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of personal computing. Not only is this the first time we have had multiple OEMs jump on the Windows on ARM bandwagon, but it’s also the first time that they’ve done it with some of their most successful laptop lineups. .

News

Acer’s First Copilot+ PC is the Acer the Swift 14 AI

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Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC branding is making waves with a stampede of laptops coming from a number of OEMs including Acer. However, Acer isn’t fooling around with their introduction of Copilot+ PCs. Its first Copilot+ PC is part of its Swift lineup. The Acer Swift lineup has always been the company’s flagship for premium thin and light devices. The latest stable of Swift laptops has brought ample performance with the latest and greatest processors and GPUs.

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The Swift 14 AI will be available with both the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus. The new ARM64-based systems on a chip (SoCs) will be powering the unique AI features that set the Swift 14 AI apart from its brethren. But before we delve into Copilot features, let’s talk about the specs. The Snapdragon X SoCs will;l be paired with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of memory.

It will come with a 14.5-inch WQXGA IPS display with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen comes with TUV Rheinland Eyesafe 2.0 certification and covers 100% of the sRGB gamut. The Swift 14 AI will also be available with a touchscreen option. It will also feature a QHD IR camera with a physical privacy shutter and a triple mic setup. The camera will also support Windows Hello.

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The Acer Swift 14 AI will come with a dual speaker setup with DTS X Audio. It will also feature two USB Type-C ports with support for charging and DisplayPort. In addition, there will be two USD 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and an audio combo jack. The laptop will also support WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. A 75Wh battery will power this laptop. Best part? It only weighs 1.36 kg.

Of course, as Microsoft mentioned during its announcement, the hallmark of any Copilot+ PC will be the inclusion of extended Copilot features. The first of which is the inclusion of a dedicated Copilot key. In addition, the laptop will be shipped with a key for Copilot+. This will unlock features like Recall which allows you to search for documents with descriptions or keywords; Cocreator which will allow you to create AI images with Copilot and Auto Super Resolution which automatically upscales graphics and images for the best performance.

Pricing & Availability

The Acer Swift 14 AI will be priced from USD$1,099 (RM5,157.67) in North America. It will be available starting in July.

The laptop will be priced from EUR€1,499 (RM7,646.46) in the EMEA region and will be available starting in June.

Computers, News

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Debut with over 20 Copilot+ Laptops to take on Apple Silicon

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The new Copilot+ PCs are running Qualcomm’s latest made-for-pc system on a chip (SoC). The Snapdragon X SoCs were announced together with Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PC standard. So far, Microsoft itself has used the SoC on the latest Surface Laptop and Surface Pro. Other OEMs have also introduced laptops carrying the same chipset under the Copilot+ PC program.

Snapdragon X Series Copilot

The new Snapdragon X SoCs are fabricated using a 4nm process and come with Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU, Adreno GPU and Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing unit). The combination of the three empowers higher performance and better battery life. Qualcomm boasts that Snapdragon X Elite delivers current peak PC CPU performance at 60% less power.

There are two variants of the Snapdragon X SoC: the Snapdragon X Elite and the Snapdragon X Plus. The Elite features a 12-core Oryon CPU clocked at 4.2 GHz with a 5% dual-core boost, an Adreno GPU capable of up to 4.6 TFLOPs performance and a Hexagon NPU capable of 45 TOPS performance. The Plus features a 10-core Oryon CPU with dual-core boost, an Adreno GPU with up to 3.8TFLOPs performance and the same Hexagon NPU.

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Qualcomm boasts that the Snapdragon X chips are built for AI. This is primarily due to the inclusion of the Hexagon NPU which is the cornerstone of the SoC. AI tasks are primarily run using the NPU and offload complex, energy-draining processes from the CPU. This results in better power efficiency and an overall boost in performance. The chip also supports 5G connectivity and WiFi 7.

According to Qualcomm’s internal benchmarking, the Snapdragon X Elite is able to perform better than currently available chips from AMD and Intel with 60% better power efficiency, 52% better CPU performance and 36% better GPU performance. Wins across the board. The company is boasting a 2.6x improvement on Apple’s M3 processor and 5.4x improvement over Intel’s Core Ultra 7 processor.

Snapdragon X Series Powers the PC Revolution with Copilot Devices Available Now CA1

We will have to wait to see how performance is with the first wave of Copilot+ laptops set to be released soon. Over 20 laptops are coming from various OEMs including Dell, Acer, ASUS, HP and Samsung that will be using the Snapdragon X SoCs.

Computers, News

ASUS Announces First Copilot+ PC: The ASUS Vivobook S 15 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

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Asus has just announced its first Snapdragon X Elite laptop: the Asus Vivobook S 15. The announcement comes on the heels of Microsoft’s announcement ahead of its BUILD conference kicking off today. The announcement underscores a shift in Microsoft’s strategy for Windows to focus on Copilot integration but more significantly to adopt the ARM-based x64 architecture which could impact both AMD and Intel.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 Scenario Photo

The new laptop complements ASUS’s current Vivobook lineup which champions both performance and affordability. The ASUS Vivobook S 15 is also the first laptop from ASUS to run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite. The new System on a Chip (SoC) brings a brand new paradigm to Windows unlocking performance a lot of us have been looking for from a thin and light laptop. The new Snapdragon X Elite is the first made-for-PC chipset from Qualcomm to be widely adopted in the new Copilot+ PC label from Microsoft. The SoC is optimised for performance and battery life which includes heavy graphics work and even some gaming.

Qualcomm’s SoC comes with its Oryon CPU and Adreno GPU. More significantly it comes with the company’s Hexagon neural processing unit (NPU) that will enable a number of AI features from both Microsoft’s Copilot and ASUS. The SoC will be complemented by up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD Memory.

Vivobook S 15 OLED Product photo 2S Cool Silver

The Vivobook S 15 is replacing the previous model that ran on Intel’s Core processors. The new laptop will be equipped with a 15.6-inch, 3K ASUS Lumina OLED display with a resolution of 2880×1620 pixels. The display is also colour-calibrated to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and is certified with DisplayHDR True Black600 with an average Delta-E of less than 1 and 600 nits peak brightness.

It will also come with an FHD IR camera for Windows Hello. This camera will also come with ASUS AiSense with Windows Studio Effect, ASUS Adaptive dimming and ASUS Adaptive lock. The Viviobook S 15 is also equipped with WiFi 7 paired with Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. Like all ASUS laptops, it will also have the ASUS ErgoSense touchpad that comes with smart gestures and silent touchpad technology. The ErgoSense keyboard also comes with single-zone RGB backlighting.

The Vivobook S 15 is also coming with a full array of ports including an Audio jack and HDMI 2.1 port and a microSD card reader. It will also have two USB 4.0 ports and two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports. All of these will be powered by a 70wH battery that is touted to deliver 18 hours of battery life. It will charge with a 90W AC adapter.

Vivobook S 15 OLED Product Photo Cool Silver

Together with all this hardware, the ASUS Vivobook S 15 will also feature a lot of Copilot integration including a dedicated Copilot key. Features like Co-Create and Recall will be available on the laptop together with either Microsoft Windows 11 Home or Pro.

Pricing & Availability

The ASUS Vivobook S 15 will be available soon worldwide. Pre-orders were announced for the US during the live stream. The retail pricing will start at USD$1,299 (RM6,096.40).

ASUS Malaysia indicates that the Vivobook S 15 will be available in Malaysia starting Q3 2024. That would mean sometime between July to September 2024.