Microsoft has introduced a new category of PC with AI features in an effort to compete with rivals Alphabet and Apple. The CEO, Satya Nadella, unveiled the “Copilot+” PCs at an event held at Microsoft’s campus in Redmond, Washington. These new PCs are expected to be sold by various manufacturers, including Acer and Asustek Computer.
The new Microsoft PC will be able to handle artificial intelligence tasks without needing to rely on cloud data centers. It is priced at $1,000 and will start shipping on June 18. One of its key features is the “Recall” function, which tracks and stores everything done on the computer for easy search and retrieval later on.
Microsoft expects to sell 50 million AI-enabled PCs in the next year, with the goal of making faster AI assistants that run directly on PCs a compelling reason for users to upgrade. This new category of AI PCs is expected to account for about a fifth of all PCs sold, according to Microsoft.
The marketing strategy for the new “Copilot+” category of computers is reminiscent of the Ultrabook category promoted by Intel in 2011 to rival the MacBook Air. Microsoft also announced the availability of GPT-4o technology from OpenAI as part of Copilot.
In addition to the new Microsoft PCs, the company also introduced a new generation of Surface Pro tablets and Surface Laptops featuring Qualcomm chips based on Arm Holdings architecture. Microsoft showcased its devices in action against Apple devices, demonstrating faster performance in certain applications.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips include a neural processing unit designed to accelerate AI-focused applications like Microsoft’s Copilot software. Microsoft is positioning itself as a leader in the development of artificial intelligence tools that consumers are willing to pay for, with a partnership with OpenAI giving it an edge over competitors like Alphabet.
Microsoft’s stock closed up 1.2% following the announcement of the new PCs, while Qualcomm also saw a 2% increase in its stock price. Microsoft’s efforts to incorporate AI into its products demonstrate its commitment to innovation and staying competitive in the tech industry.
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https://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/microsoft-launches-new-copilot-ai-pc-to-rival-apple-and-alphabet/