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Microsoft\u2019s first round of Copilot Plus PCs launched last week with the promise of better battery life, performance that matches a MacBook Air, and chips ready for AI. I\u2019ve spent the past week testing both of Microsoft\u2019s new Surface devices, and I think they largely live up to Microsoft\u2019s promises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
There are some expected app emulation drawbacks here and there. But for the most part, if you don\u2019t have complex app needs, these new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips deliver the Windows on Arm experience that Microsoft has been promising for more than a decade. They also put a lot of pressure on Intel to respond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
I\u2019ve been most impressed with the battery life on the $999.99 base model of the\u00a0Surface Laptop during my testing<\/a>. There have been times I\u2019ve used it for the entire workday and never worried about having to charge. I\u2019ve closed the lid and, days later, woken the Surface Laptop to find it hadn\u2019t drained the battery life down to zero. I\u2019ve never been confident enough to do that with an Intel-powered laptop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n