As 2024 wraps up, Microsoft’s year can be summed up as a cocktail of high-tech triumphs and avoidable blunders. On one hand, the company saw great strides in AI-powered hardware like its Copilot+ PC range, redefining what laptops could do. On the flip side, Windows 11 stumbled through an obstacle course of glitches, controversial decisions, and negative headlines. If this all sounds like the plotline of a corporate drama, buckle up. We’re about to unpack everything—from stellar hardware feats to a maddeningly buggy Windows 11, and even an AI-powered privacy debacle called Recall.
The first Copilot+ devices debuted mid-year, sporting Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that leveraged ARM architecture. ARM chips, known for their power efficiency and fast performance, seemed promising, but there was a catch. Due to the architectural differences between ARM and x86 (the standard on most laptops), running traditional Windows apps required what’s called an "emulation layer." Microsoft’s solution, the Prism Technology Layer, attempted this translation seamlessly. However, not all apps played nicely with it, particularly performance-demanding PC games. A few bumps aside, the lineup showed how promising ARM could be for battery life and AI multitasking.
While the Snapdragon-powered Surface line marked an exciting start, AMD and Intel stepped up their game later in the year with x86-based, AI-optimized solutions. AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 and Intel’s Lunar Lake chips made Copilot+ functionality more accessible, though availability remained frustratingly sparse.
The likely culprit behind all this instability? Microsoft's shift to the Germanium platform—a significant hidden overhaul to the OS designed to improve security and responsiveness long-term. While ambitious, it seems Germanium introduced a playground for bugs to wreak havoc.
Not so fast. Announced in May, the feature immediately met public outrage over concerns about privacy and security. Would sensitive information like credit card numbers or confidential work documents get indexed? While Microsoft marketed the feature as a productivity marvel, critics saw it as a ticking bomb in the hands of hackers—or even curious family members.
It’s unclear if 2025 will see Recall embraced or forgotten, but whatever happens, it underscores the risks of launching half-baked innovations.
Finally, the coming year will determine whether controversial experiments like Recall become game-changers or dismissed gimmicks. Whether you’re a devout Surface fan, a casual Windows user, or a business balancing cybersecurity hurdles, there’s plenty to keep an eye on in 2025. Microsoft and smooth sailing? Not always synonymous, but there’s beauty yet in the chaos.
Source: TechRadar Microsoft in 2024: year in review
The Hardware High: Copilot+ PCs Finally Soar
Microsoft pushed into the future of AI this year with the release of its Copilot+ PCs. These laptops are designed around one core feature: integration with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). In layman's terms, an NPU is like having a super-smart co-processor in your laptop that can juggle artificial intelligence tasks effortlessly. Previously, most AI processes leaned heavily on your CPU or GPU, but with an NPU, complex machine learning routines run faster and more efficiently. Think about lag-free live captions during video calls or Photoshop-esque photo edits happening seamlessly.The first Copilot+ devices debuted mid-year, sporting Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that leveraged ARM architecture. ARM chips, known for their power efficiency and fast performance, seemed promising, but there was a catch. Due to the architectural differences between ARM and x86 (the standard on most laptops), running traditional Windows apps required what’s called an "emulation layer." Microsoft’s solution, the Prism Technology Layer, attempted this translation seamlessly. However, not all apps played nicely with it, particularly performance-demanding PC games. A few bumps aside, the lineup showed how promising ARM could be for battery life and AI multitasking.
Surface Saves Face
Two standout devices dominated reviews in 2024: the Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7, both part of this new Copilot+ lineup. The Surface Pro 11 redefined portability with solid battery life while packing enough AI muscle to breeze through complex workflows. Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 7 earned accolades for its Snapdragon X Elite chip, proving ARM-based systems could indeed succeed in the desktop-replacement category.While the Snapdragon-powered Surface line marked an exciting start, AMD and Intel stepped up their game later in the year with x86-based, AI-optimized solutions. AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 and Intel’s Lunar Lake chips made Copilot+ functionality more accessible, though availability remained frustratingly sparse.
Sales Struggles & Sticker Shock
Though the Copilot+ lineup dazzled reviewers, sales figures painted a cautionary tale. With premium models priced north of $1,500, and even entry-level models initially projected at $800, these AI laptops remain expensive niche products. Qualcomm later teased $600 models with new, budget-friendly Snapdragon chips, but widespread adoption may remain years away. And then there’s the paradox: while marketed as “AI laptops,” most buyers opted for them simply because they are excellent machines—not necessarily because of the AI features still finding their footing.Windows 11: Bugs Galore and Quality Control Woes
Where the hardware soared, Windows 11 tripped over its own feet. If AI laptops represented the future, the Windows 11 24H2 update seemed like a ghost of patch management past. On paper, this October launch promised streamlined features, new functionalities, and performance improvements thanks to a re-architected foundation dubbed the Germanium platform. However, the reality proved messier.24H2: New Features and Old Problems
The update introduced some genuinely useful tools:- File Explorer Revamp: Native support for file compression formats beyond ZIP.
- Phone Link Integration: Brought into the Start Menu as a handy side panel.
- Enhanced Energy Saver Mode: A godsend for laptop road warriors.
- Copilot Turns App: Microsoft's ubiquitous assistant became more accessible in a resizable desktop window.
The likely culprit behind all this instability? Microsoft's shift to the Germanium platform—a significant hidden overhaul to the OS designed to improve security and responsiveness long-term. While ambitious, it seems Germanium introduced a playground for bugs to wreak havoc.
"Recall": Microsoft’s Controversial AI Blunder
Of all its 2024 misadventures, Recall stands out as a case of the tech giant overpromising without fully thinking through the ramifications. On paper, Recall was a brilliant concept: an AI tool capable of indexing your desktop activity. It would take screenshots, turning them into searchable records for queries like, “Show me the pie chart I looked at yesterday” or “Find the image of that smartwatch I saved”. Sounds convenient, right?Not so fast. Announced in May, the feature immediately met public outrage over concerns about privacy and security. Would sensitive information like credit card numbers or confidential work documents get indexed? While Microsoft marketed the feature as a productivity marvel, critics saw it as a ticking bomb in the hands of hackers—or even curious family members.
Privacy Fixes… Sort Of
By November, Microsoft assured us that Recall had been thoroughly revamped to address early concerns. Features like real-time detection of sensitive details in screenshots were introduced. However, feedback from early testers revealed ongoing hiccups. Some screenshots with personal data still slipped through the cracks, keeping criticism alive as Recall remains in limited testing.It’s unclear if 2025 will see Recall embraced or forgotten, but whatever happens, it underscores the risks of launching half-baked innovations.
AI in Gaming: A Bright Light Amid Chaos
On a more positive note, Microsoft found itself praised for a different innovation this year: DirectSR (DirectX Super Resolution). Released in preview by mid-2024, this wasn’t Microsoft’s attempt at creating its own upscaling technology but rather an API geared toward streamlining the use of existing upscaling tools (like NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR). The result? Game developers can integrate these technologies much more easily into their titles, boosting in-game frame rates for smoother performances. With upscaling becoming a cornerstone of modern gaming, DirectSR could prove revolutionary if widely adopted in 2025 and beyond.The Crowdstrike Fiasco
And then there was July’s cybersecurity nightmare. A botched update from Crowdstrike's Falcon security platform took down a staggering 8.5 million Windows devices. Although it wasn’t Microsoft's error, the ripple effects were unavoidable. From disrupted banks to grounded airlines, the incident showcased not only the reliance of critical sectors on Windows but also the importance of robust third-party interoperability standards. The debacle led to lawsuits and raised questions about who bears responsibility in these large-scale crises.Final Thoughts: A Divided Outlook
If 2024 proved anything, it’s that Microsoft remains a mixed bag of excellence and missed opportunities. Its hardware division emerged as a winner with the Copilot+ PC lineup, yet it needs to better bridge affordability and accessible AI features to maintain relevance. Windows 11, meanwhile, is in desperate need of better quality assurance, with the promise of Germany's platform improvements feeling overshadowed by glitches.Finally, the coming year will determine whether controversial experiments like Recall become game-changers or dismissed gimmicks. Whether you’re a devout Surface fan, a casual Windows user, or a business balancing cybersecurity hurdles, there’s plenty to keep an eye on in 2025. Microsoft and smooth sailing? Not always synonymous, but there’s beauty yet in the chaos.
Source: TechRadar Microsoft in 2024: year in review
