Microsoft drops Copilot+ PC branding from new Surface systems

Microsoft has quietly removed the Copilot+ PC label from its newest Surface systems, a shift that matters because buyers may no longer see the badge that previously guaranteed local AI processing power. The hardware itself remains unchanged, so the removal is purely a marketing decision rather than a downgrade in capability. This change signals that the industry is moving away from strict branding tiers for AI-enabled devices.

New Surface laptops retain AI specs without the label

The new Surface devices continue to meet the specific hardware thresholds that defined the Copilot+ category when it launched. Microsoft still requires a Neural Processing Unit capable of at least 40 TOPS, 16GB of memory, and 256GB of storage for these systems. These specifications ensure that the machines can handle intensive local AI tasks without relying on cloud connections.

Key software features like Recall, Click to Do, and Live Captions remain fully supported on these updated devices. The underlying technology that powers these experiences has not been altered by the branding change. Users can expect the same functionality they would have received under the previous naming convention.

Qualcomm SVP of Compute Kedar Kondap confirmed that manufacturers will likely continue offering NPU-based experiences without prominently using the Copilot+ PC terminology. He noted that the original purpose of the branding was to define a category with specific metrics, such as a 45 TOPS NPU target. The industry is now focusing on the capabilities rather than the marketing label.

The Copilot+ PC branding was originally introduced in May 2024 alongside Snapdragon X systems to establish a clear standard for local AI processing. Microsoft no longer calls the devices Copilot+ PCs, effectively phasing out the term for new hardware releases. The hardware category and its associated features remain intact despite the absence of the name.