Microsoft Surface Event 2024 kicked off with a focus on generative AI, particularly its integration into Windows. The company unveiled a new lineup of Windows machines called Copilot+ PCs, boasting dedicated hardware for AI experiences.
Additionally, several AI-powered features were announced, including Recall for content retrieval and enhanced image editing capabilities.
Here is a quick rundown of everything the tech giant announced at Microsoft Surface Event 2024 ahead of the main event, Microsoft Build 2024.
Copilot+ PCs steal the show at the Microsoft Surface Event 2024
Microsoft unveiled a new category of Windows machines called Copilot+ PCs. These flagship devices prioritize AI experiences, featuring dedicated chips known as Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to power features like Recall, a tool that helps users locate previously viewed apps, files, and content. All Copilot+ PCs boast at least 16GB of RAM paired with solid-state storage for smooth performance.
NPU stands for Neural Processing Unit. It’s a specialized type of processor designed specifically to excel at tasks involving artificial intelligence (AI), particularly those that rely on artificial neural networks.Unlike traditional CPUs that handle a wide range of tasks, NPUs are optimized for the complex mathematical calculations needed in neural networks, which are the foundation of many AI applications.
The first wave of Copilot+ PCs will be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, promising impressive battery life – up to 15 hours for web browsing and 20 hours for video playback, according to Microsoft.
Chipmakers like Intel and AMD are also on board, developing processors specifically for Copilot+ devices in collaboration with major manufacturers including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung.
An enhanced Windows experience with Recall
Windows 11 is set to gain a powerful new search tool called Recall. Unlike traditional search functions, Recall goes beyond just keywords and file names. It acts as a digital memory aid for your PC activities. By storing information about what apps you used, files you opened, and even content you viewed, Recall can help you find things you interacted with weeks or even months ago.
This information is presented in a timeline format, allowing you to scroll back and revisit your past PC activity. Recall doesn’t stop at just showing you apps or files. It can also delve deeper into content, potentially surfacing specific details from documents or highlighting relevant messages within chats. This makes Recall a powerful tool for finding exactly what you’re looking for, even if you can’t quite remember the exact details.
In simpler terms, your past activities captured by Recall are yours to control. You can delete specific snapshots, adjust and remove entire time ranges within settings, or pause data collection entirely through the system tray icon. The option to exclude specific apps and websites from being saved in Recall is also available.
New Surface Pro and Surface Laptop
Microsoft also showcased the latest iterations of its Surface devices – the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro. Both focus on enhanced performance and extended battery life.
The newest Surface Laptop boasts a redesigned chassis with sleek lines and slimmer bezels. Available in 13.8-inch and 15-inch display options, it delivers up to 22 hours on a single charge and boasts an 86% performance improvement over the Surface Laptop 5, claims Microsoft. It further supports the next-generation Wi-Fi 7 standard and features a haptic feedback touchpad for a more responsive user experience.
The new Surface Pro touts a significant performance boost – up to 90% faster than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 9. It sports a stunning OLED display with HDR capabilities, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity (with optional 5G available), and an upgraded ultrawide front-facing camera.
Notably, the detachable keyboard has been reinforced with carbon fiber and now offers haptic feedback functionality.
Here is a table that summarizes all the new Surface lineup announced at Microsoft Surface Event 2024:
| Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th edition) | Surface Laptop 15 (7th edition) | Surface Pro with OLED (11th edition) | Surface Pro (11th edition) | |
| Price | $1,100 | $1,300 | $1,500 | $1,000 |
| CPU | Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus | Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus | Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Plus |
| Display | 13.8-inch, 2304×1536 pixels, 120Hz, HDR, IPS | 16-inch, 2496×1664 pixels, 120Hz, HDR, IPS | 13-inch, 2880×1920 pixels, 120Hz, OLED | 13-inch, 2880×1920 pixels, 120Hz |
| Memory | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB LPDDR5x | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB LPDDR5x | 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5x | 16GB LPDDR5x |
| Graphics | Integrated Adreno 3.8 TFLOPS | Integrated Adreno 3.8 TFLOPS | Integrated Adreno 3.8 TFLOPS | Integrated Adreno 3.8 TFLOPS |
| NPU | Hexagon (up to 45 TOPS) | Hexagon (up to 45 TOPS) | Hexagon (up to 45 TOPS) | Hexagon (up to 45 TOPS) |
| Availability | June 2024 | June 2024 | June 2024 | June 2024 |
AI enhancements for image editing and live translations
Windows 11 is receiving a significant injection of AI capabilities, with some features exclusive to the new Copilot+ PCs. A new feature called Super Resolution offers an AI-powered solution for restoring old photos by automatically enhancing their resolution. Copilot can now analyze images to suggest creative compositions for users. Through a feature called Cocreator, users can generate images and even guide the AI model to modify or restyle their artwork.
Another noteworthy addition is Live Captions with live translations. This feature transcribes and translates audio played on the PC, be it from YouTube or a local file, into the user’s preferred language. Live translations will initially support around 40 languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Russian.
Microsoft Surface Event 2024 painted a compelling picture of a future powered by AI, with co-piloting functionalities seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. The focus on developer accessibility and security underscores Microsoft’s commitment to building a robust and inclusive technological ecosystem. As these advancements continue to develop, it will be fascinating to witness how they reshape the way we interact with technology.
Stay tuned for the upcoming Microsoft Build 2024!
Featured image credit: Microsoft
