Microsoft Unveils Intel-Powered Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business, Boosting AI Capabilities

Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Laptop Copilot+ PCs for Business with Intel Core Ultra processors announced

Microsoft on Thursday announced updates to its Surface for Business Copilot+ PC lineup, introducing new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2). The new Surface Laptop for Business features a sleek, thin design and is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), offering up to 22 hours of battery life. Available in 13.8-inch and 15-inch sizes, the device sports anti-reflective displays with ultra-thin bezels, Wi-Fi 7, and multiple ports, including an optional smart card reader. Performance-wise, it boasts up to 26% faster multi-tasking capabilities compared to the Surface Laptop 5, with up to double the graphics performance and triple the battery life during Teams calls. It also supports AI-powered features with the built-in NPU. The keyboard is designed for a comfortable and efficient typing experience, while the large precision haptic touchpad offers realistic feedback. For sustainability, the device incorporates recycled materials, including 100% recycled rare earth metals in the magnets and the first-ever battery cell using 100% recycled cobalt. The Surface Pro for Business now features a 13-inch PixelSense display with anti-reflective and adaptive color technology, reducing reflections by up to 50%. An optional OLED screen enhances brightness and color accuracy. It's powered by the same Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2), providing up to 28% better performance and 98% increased graphics performance over the Surface Pro 9, with doubled battery life during Teams calls. The device supports versatile usage as both a tablet and laptop with the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, which can be used attached or wirelessly. Sign-in options include facial recognition via Windows Hello Camera or NFC security keys, supporting healthcare workflows with Imprivata EAM certification. The device's design also emphasizes sustainability with 89% recycled content in its enclosure, including 100% recycled aluminum and rare earth metals, and is designed for easy servicing with replaceable components like the motherboard and SSD. In addition to the new models, Microsoft announced the upcoming Surface Laptop 5G, set for release later in 2025. This will be the first Surface Laptop with cellular connectivity, with more details to be shared soon. Microsoft emphasized that Copilot+ PCs are designed with security as a top priority. The Microsoft Pluton security processor, enabled by default, protects sensitive data like passwords and encryption keys. Windows 11, combined with Microsoft 365, offers advanced security tools to combat phishing, malware, and ransomware. AI-powered features enhance productivity, such as the improved Windows Search experience, which allows users to find files using associated words or phrases. The Surface Management Portal in Microsoft Intune provides IT admins with tools to monitor and manage devices efficiently. Starting February 24, 2025, the Security Copilot feature will be available in public preview, offering generative AI capabilities to simplify device management.

Microsoft's new Copilot+ Surface devices are built for business with Intel inside

Microsoft launched its first wave of Copilot+ PCs last summer. For most of the company's business customers, however, the new devices were nonstarters because of compatibility concerns over the Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors inside. If you were tempted by one of those Surface devices but are more comfortable with traditional x86 processors, you can now take a second look. Today, Microsoft expanded its Surface lineup to include business-focused Copilot+ devices powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors (codenamed Lunar Lake). The new models will begin shipping on Feb. 18, 2025, and are available for pre-order beginning today at Microsoft's Surface for Business store and through resellers. Also: The Microsoft 365 Copilot launch was a total disaster Although they're nearly indistinguishable from their Arm-based variants, these machines offer a handful of business-focused security and management features not found on their consumer counterparts. Surface Laptop 7th Edition for Business The new Intel-powered laptops are available in the same 13.8-inch and 15-inch form factors as the Snapdragon-based versions, with the same selection of ports (two USB-C/USB4, one USB-A 3.1), Wi-Fi 7, and Surface Connect. One noteworthy change is that the displays on these business devices are anti-reflective. On 15-inch models only, an optional smart card reader is available for an additional $50 to $100. All configurations are available in Platinum or Black. The entry-level 13.8-inch Intel Core Ultra 5 model includes 16GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage for $1,500; the top configuration includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $2,400. Models equipped with the Core Ultra 7 start at $1,700 and top out at $2,600. Also: Microsoft kills off Smart Lookup feature in Word as it pushes Copilot Microsoft claims that the 15-inch Surface Laptop has "an incredible battery that lasts up to 22 hours." If you're holding out for a laptop with mobile connectivity, you'll have to wait a little longer. Microsoft says an all-new Surface Laptop 5G will be available "later in 2025." Surface Pro 11th Edition for Business The Intel Core Ultra 5 models start with the same base configuration (15GB RAM/256GB storage) and $1,500 price tag as the Surface Laptop. With double the amount of RAM and storage (16GB/512GB), the price goes up to $2,000. All of the new Surface Pro models include antireflective displays. Models equipped with the Core Ultra 7 also come with an OLED display. The base configuration, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage, starts at $2,000; the top configuration includes 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $2,500. Also: How to remove Copilot from your Microsoft 365 plan Microsoft's release doesn't make any detailed battery life claims for this device, saying only that it "delivers up to 2x the battery life during Teams calls compared to Surface Pro 9." Surface USB4 dock Today's announcements also include a slim new USB4 dock that offers fast charging with 65W power passthrough. It includes the usual assortment of ports: two USB-C, one USB-A, and Ethernet, with dual 4K display support over HDMI. It's priced at $200. What makes business PCs different? In case it wasn't already blindingly obvious, today's post announcing the new Surface models opens with this declaration: "Microsoft is the Copilot company." In that spirit, the company announced that it's adding a new Security Copilot to the Surface Management Portal. Microsoft promises that IT admins can use these new natural language and generative AI features to "quickly search for and resolve specific device issues, summarize warranty information, and access support tickets and service orders related to their organization's Surface devices." The new features will be available in a public preview starting Feb. 24, 2025. Also: What is an AI PC exactly? And should you buy one in 2025? Because the Lunar Lake processors include an NPU, these Copilot+ PCs are capable of doing on-device processing of AI-related tasks. The release also boasts that customers can use the Surface Pen to take handwritten notes on the Surface Pro and that the onboard NPU can "quickly summarize and analyze notes locally on the device, without requiring any internet connectivity, while maintaining all encryption and permissions." That solves a pressing security need for businesses, but a footnote reveals the catch: That feature will require not just a Copilot+ PC but also a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription, and it won't be available until later this year. One of the most intriguing new features is an upgraded Windows Search experience that uses the NPU to quickly search through both local files and OneDrive for Business files using natural language search, without having to remember exact file names or keywords. The new search capabilities also allow users to search images based on their content, including text found in an image. For security-conscious admins, the authentication features in the new Surface devices are essential. In addition to offering the capability to sign in using facial recognition with the built-in Windows Hello Camera, employees can use security keys like the YubiKey 5C NFC for password-free sign-ins. The latter feature uses the Yubico Login for Windows software, which works on x86 machines but is not compatible with Arm devices. Microsoft also boasts that the Surface Pro is certified for use with Imprivata Enterprise Access Management (EAM), which is especially useful in healthcare settings, where providers can tap an NFC-enabled badge or security key to quickly and securely sign in and out.

Microsoft's new Surface Copilot+ PCs use Intel's Lunar Lake chips in push for business adoption

Microsoft announced new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices for businesses running on Intel Core Ultra series 2 processors -- the first Surface Copilot+ PCs to use the chip maker's "Lunar Lake" architecture. It's part of a larger effort by Microsoft to boost adoption of the AI-powered machines among business users. Intel's chips use the traditional x86 architecture, promising better compatibility with legacy applications than the ARM-based Snapdragon processors used in Microsoft's existing Surface Copilot+ PCs. Intel's Lunar Lake, introduced in September 2024, focuses on power efficiency and performance for laptops and mobile devices, aiming to rival ARM-based processors. The Surface devices also come with Microsoft's Pluton security processor, and offer a series of enterprise management features and services for business users. The Intel-powered Surface Laptop for Business and Surface Pro for Business will both be available starting Feb. 18, starting at $1,500, with prices going up from there for higher-end configurations. The Surface Laptop is offered in a 13.8-inch or 15-inch display, and the Surface Pro comes with a 13-inch display. Copilot+ PCs, introduced last year, use a neural processing unit (NPU) to complete AI tasks on-device. Fifteen percent of premium Windows laptops sold in the U.S. over the holidays were Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told analysts on the company's earnings call Wednesday. AI features currently in preview from Microsoft include Windows Recall, which takes snapshots of PC activity to let users query their history using artificial intelligence; and a related capability called Click to Do, which offers AI-powered actions on text and images within Recall snapshots Microsoft is touting the features Copilot+ PCs as part of its effort to move stragglers to Windows 11 this year. Support for Windows 10, released nearly a decade ago, is scheduled to end in October 2025. Overall revenue in Microsoft's More Personal Computing division, which includes Windows, was flat in the December quarter at $14.7 billion. However, revenue from copies of Windows pre-installed by computer and device makers increased 4%, ahead of expectations. Microsoft CFO Amy Hood attributed the trend to increases in commercial inventory in advance of the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline, and uncertainty about potential tariffs.