By Storyboard18| September 27, 2026, 17:31:02 IST

Microsoft drops Copilot+ PC branding from latest Surface devices

Microsoft appears to be moving away from the “Copilot+ PC” branding for its latest Surface devices, even as the underlying hardware and AI capabilities associated with the category remain in place, as per reports.

The company’s new 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop meet the technical requirements previously used to classify a machine as a Copilot+ PC. However, Microsoft is no longer marketing the new models under that label.

Brett Ostrom, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Surface, confirmed the change in comments to Windows Central. “These are not called Copilot Plus PCs,” Ostrom said, while adding that the devices still meet the requirements that previously defined Copilot+ hardware.

The Copilot+ PC category was introduced in 2024 as Microsoft’s way of identifying Windows computers designed around local AI capabilities. One of its key technical requirements was an NPU capable of delivering at least 40 trillion operations per second, or TOPS. Microsoft also tied the category to a set of AI features designed specifically for compatible hardware.

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That technical distinction has not disappeared with the branding change. The latest Surface machines continue to emphasise AI processing across the device and the cloud, with Microsoft retaining its focus on AI running locally on PCs. Windows Central reported that Microsoft still describes the approach in terms of AI operating at the edge and through a hybrid setup.

Qualcomm has also indicated that the branding may no longer be used for machines offering similar capabilities. Kedar Kondap, Qualcomm’s senior vice president of compute and gaming, told Windows Central that computers delivering the same experiences will “probably” move away from the Copilot+ PC label.

The change comes after a relatively short run for the branding. Microsoft and Qualcomm introduced Copilot+ PCs in 2024, positioning them as a new class of Windows computers built around dedicated AI hardware and exclusive AI experiences. Microsoft’s own launch material at the time described the machines as a new category of personal computers.

One of the most prominent features associated with the category was Recall. The feature drew security criticism when it was first demonstrated, leading Microsoft to delay its rollout. Windows Central cited the controversy around Recall as one factor that affected the Copilot+ PC brand.

The branding has also become less prominent across the wider PC ecosystem. Windows Central reported that several PC makers have increasingly dropped the Copilot+ terminology from product names and marketing, while the underlying AI capabilities continue to be promoted.