More than a year into Microsoft’s Copilot+ era, the flood of marketing, device launches, and bold AI promises has given way to a sobering dose of real-world user sentiment: much of the Windows community simply doesn’t care. Not about the badge. Not about the “revolution.” Not unless this new breed of AI-powered PCs delivers daily, life-improving value. And for a growing chorus of Windows enthusiasts, reviewers, and even some early adopters, that value is both hard to quantify and even harder to justify with the required leap to expensive new hardware.
Yet this isn’t a simple story of a misfiring tech initiative. Digging beneath flashy Copilot+ branding, the hardware itself—driven by Snapdragon X, AMD’s Ryzen AI, or Intel’s Core Ultra chips—is impressive in many respects. Battery life, form factor innovation, and even some applied AI features (when they work) are genuine steps forward. But for most users, the Copilot+ vision remains an unfulfilled promise, and for some, an unwelcome harbinger of privacy risks and increased complexity. To understand why, let’s break down the critical perspectives making waves across the Windows ecosystem, spotlight must-have (and must-avoid) features, and unpack what truly matters as the Copilot+ PC experiment heads into its second year.
Copilot+, in Microsoft’s lexicon, means more than just Windows 11 running on state-of-the-art silicon. It means a PC certified to deliver AI-powered experiences natively, driven by a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that can handle at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). At launch, only a select group of devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite/Plus, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 Series, or Intel’s Core Ultra 200V Series could bear the Copilot+ label. In theory, this hardware boost would unlock features like Recall (the much-hyped “photographic memory” for your PC), smarter search, context-sensitive right-click tools, real-time creative enhancements, and offline AI generation for images and text—no cloud roundtrips or annoying lag required.
But as it stands, most of these features are either delayed, half-baked, or simply not the game-changers the marketing painted. Add to that the confusion around which features require a Copilot+ PC, which are rolling out broadly, and which are locked behind a cloud paywall, and it’s little wonder many users ignore the “Copilot+” sticker entirely.
For casual users—students, office workers, and those living in the browser—the Copilot+ experience is quietly transformative. The machines are ultralight, secure, and power-sipping. If your daily routine is emails, web apps, and meetings, there’s little to complain about—so long as you avoid legacy x86 software and peripherals with flaky support.
But for creators, tinkerers, and power users, the “AI upgrade” still looks more like a hardware beta program. App compatibility woes, gaming stumbles, and AI features still only available in preview builds, or limited to specific language/locales, are all major sticking points.
This, users say, is what “AI should be doing”—making simple, repetitive Windows tasks faster and less annoying. No over-promising, no deep learning required, just smart context menu tools that shave minutes off everyday workflows. Image editing particularly shines: background removal, object erasure, and quick blurring are all, finally, just a click away.
But even here there’s a catch: Much of Click to Do’s workflow could conceivably be executed on a regular CPU/GPU, or even rolled out as a software-side upgrade. The NPU is necessary for local inference, but not for every quick action—raising questions about whether this genuinely needs to be a Copilot+ exclusive, or if it’s more about marketing segmentation than architectural necessity.
Sounds convenient, but from day one, security researchers, ex-Microsoft engineers, and privacy watchdogs sounded the alarm. The idea that every screen is constantly recorded, indexed, and stored, even “locally,” prompted high-profile criticism from across the tech landscape—including suggestions that hackers or malware could trivially access this cornucopia of sensitive user data. Regulators in Europe and the UK opened formal inquiries; Microsoft was forced first to delay Recall’s launch, then to redesign it with biometric access controls, opt-in requirements, and supposedly stronger encryption. By summer 2025, Recall had entered a cautious Insider roll-out, but the damage to user trust was real: to many, this felt like a classic example of innovation outpacing user consent and risk assessment.
Perhaps tellingly, for the millions of users who already keep their digital lives tightly cataloged—whether in OneNote, browser bookmarks, or tailored organizational strategies—Recall offers little upside and a whole lot of potential headache. As one reviewer summed it up: “I never, ever need to think about my digital past that way. If it’s important, I save it somewhere relevant.”
Windows Studio Effects, which promises real-time video backgrounds, eye contact correction, and lighting improvements, is…fine. But NVIDIA has delivered similar features for years via Broadcast, and even recent Chromebooks manage version of this with smart software tricks and no dedicated NPU.
But here lies the core challenge. The actual Copilot+ advances users notice today—best-in-class battery life, quick resume, and sleek, fanless designs—come from the transition to ARM and the maturation of Qualcomm’s new silicon, not from day-to-day AI magic. To most upgraders, these are excellent ARM laptops first; the Copilot+ add-on is, at best, a side salad.
But for anyone who counts on stable, universal app compatibility, or who isn’t prepared for a privacy-centric learning curve (with features like Recall), there’s no rush. The true competitive edge of Copilot+ may emerge in Gen 2 or Gen 3 hardware and software, as the ecosystem matures and the AI “revolution” creeps closer to genuine necessity—not just novelty.
But incremental change can add up. Click to Do proves even small, well-integrated AI can make users’ lives easier. Meanwhile, the drama around Recall is an important reminder: Not every innovation needs to be pushed on everyone, least of all at the expense of privacy or control. If Copilot+ is to win hearts, it will be through useful, trustworthy enhancements—not through relentless marketing campaigns or forced obsolescence.
As the second wave of Copilot+ devices (with new AMD, Intel, and potentially NVIDIA hardware) hits shelves, watch this space. The real test isn’t whether Copilot+ can dominate headlines—but whether, day by day, it can earn a spot in users’ daily workflows, for all the right reasons. For now, most Windows fans are content to wait and see—and they’re right to do so.
Source: Windows Central Microsoft's Copilot+ has been here over a year and I still don't care about it — but I do wish I had one of its features
Yet this isn’t a simple story of a misfiring tech initiative. Digging beneath flashy Copilot+ branding, the hardware itself—driven by Snapdragon X, AMD’s Ryzen AI, or Intel’s Core Ultra chips—is impressive in many respects. Battery life, form factor innovation, and even some applied AI features (when they work) are genuine steps forward. But for most users, the Copilot+ vision remains an unfulfilled promise, and for some, an unwelcome harbinger of privacy risks and increased complexity. To understand why, let’s break down the critical perspectives making waves across the Windows ecosystem, spotlight must-have (and must-avoid) features, and unpack what truly matters as the Copilot+ PC experiment heads into its second year.
The Ground Truth: What Is Copilot+ in the Windows World?
Copilot+, in Microsoft’s lexicon, means more than just Windows 11 running on state-of-the-art silicon. It means a PC certified to deliver AI-powered experiences natively, driven by a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that can handle at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). At launch, only a select group of devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite/Plus, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 Series, or Intel’s Core Ultra 200V Series could bear the Copilot+ label. In theory, this hardware boost would unlock features like Recall (the much-hyped “photographic memory” for your PC), smarter search, context-sensitive right-click tools, real-time creative enhancements, and offline AI generation for images and text—no cloud roundtrips or annoying lag required.But as it stands, most of these features are either delayed, half-baked, or simply not the game-changers the marketing painted. Add to that the confusion around which features require a Copilot+ PC, which are rolling out broadly, and which are locked behind a cloud paywall, and it’s little wonder many users ignore the “Copilot+” sticker entirely.
The Real User Take: Functionality Over Flash
“If I were buying a new laptop…Copilot+ is the last reason to get one.”
This refrain is echoed in both online forums and mainstream reviews. The draw of owning a Copilot+ PC isn’t the Copilot+ moniker itself, but rather the underlying hardware: “I loved the design, display, performance, battery life, even gaming on the ASUS VivoBook S 15. But not because of Copilot+.” It’s the Snapdragon’s all-day battery, the snappy wake-from-sleep times, the excellent thermals, and the promise that Windows-on-ARM finally feels more like a mainstream competitor to Apple’s M-series MacBooks.For casual users—students, office workers, and those living in the browser—the Copilot+ experience is quietly transformative. The machines are ultralight, secure, and power-sipping. If your daily routine is emails, web apps, and meetings, there’s little to complain about—so long as you avoid legacy x86 software and peripherals with flaky support.
But for creators, tinkerers, and power users, the “AI upgrade” still looks more like a hardware beta program. App compatibility woes, gaming stumbles, and AI features still only available in preview builds, or limited to specific language/locales, are all major sticking points.
The Click to Do Factor: Everyday Usefulness Found (Almost)
Within that noisy, underwhelming landscape, one Copilot+ feature consistently stands out as a crowd-pleaser: Click to Do. Rather than trying to re-invent the wheel or serve as a showcase for Microsoft’s AI ambitions, Click to Do stays humble—and usefully so. Right-click an image to instantly remove the background. Highlight text and let the AI rewrite, summarize, or even launch associated actions (like opening a document in your app of choice, or performing a quick web search).This, users say, is what “AI should be doing”—making simple, repetitive Windows tasks faster and less annoying. No over-promising, no deep learning required, just smart context menu tools that shave minutes off everyday workflows. Image editing particularly shines: background removal, object erasure, and quick blurring are all, finally, just a click away.
But even here there’s a catch: Much of Click to Do’s workflow could conceivably be executed on a regular CPU/GPU, or even rolled out as a software-side upgrade. The NPU is necessary for local inference, but not for every quick action—raising questions about whether this genuinely needs to be a Copilot+ exclusive, or if it’s more about marketing segmentation than architectural necessity.
Not-So-Killer Apps: The Copilot+ AI Suite Dissected
Recall: Privacy Nightmares and PR Headaches
Nothing has sparked more debate, regulatory scrutiny, or negative press than the Recall feature. Pitched as a “photographic memory for your PC,” Recall takes periodic screenshots of your desktop (potentially hundreds per hour) and indexes them so you can later search everything you did or saw—even if you forgot to save it, lost a browser tab, or didn’t bookmark a crucial website .Sounds convenient, but from day one, security researchers, ex-Microsoft engineers, and privacy watchdogs sounded the alarm. The idea that every screen is constantly recorded, indexed, and stored, even “locally,” prompted high-profile criticism from across the tech landscape—including suggestions that hackers or malware could trivially access this cornucopia of sensitive user data. Regulators in Europe and the UK opened formal inquiries; Microsoft was forced first to delay Recall’s launch, then to redesign it with biometric access controls, opt-in requirements, and supposedly stronger encryption. By summer 2025, Recall had entered a cautious Insider roll-out, but the damage to user trust was real: to many, this felt like a classic example of innovation outpacing user consent and risk assessment.
Perhaps tellingly, for the millions of users who already keep their digital lives tightly cataloged—whether in OneNote, browser bookmarks, or tailored organizational strategies—Recall offers little upside and a whole lot of potential headache. As one reviewer summed it up: “I never, ever need to think about my digital past that way. If it’s important, I save it somewhere relevant.”
Cocreator, Windows Studio Effects, and the Rest
Other hallmark Copilot+ features fare little better, at least for mainstream users. Cocreator (for AI-generated art and image editing) has improved steadily but is still no match for dedicated art tools or cloud-based offerings. Professional artists and photographers aren’t interested, and the quality still falls in the uncanny valley for most.Windows Studio Effects, which promises real-time video backgrounds, eye contact correction, and lighting improvements, is…fine. But NVIDIA has delivered similar features for years via Broadcast, and even recent Chromebooks manage version of this with smart software tricks and no dedicated NPU.
Why Is Microsoft Pushing Copilot+ So Hard?
Beneath the bluster, there are solid reasons for Microsoft’s Copilot+ gambit—even if most users aren’t feeling the love. The worldwide laptop market is in flux: Apple’s ARM-based MacBooks have redefined user expectations for battery life, instant resume, and consistently smooth high-end app performance. Google is embedding AI into the ChromeOS backbone. Windows needed a dramatic response, and Copilot+ is that bet—one that links the OS's evolution tightly to special-purpose hardware, just as Apple did with M1 and beyond.But here lies the core challenge. The actual Copilot+ advances users notice today—best-in-class battery life, quick resume, and sleek, fanless designs—come from the transition to ARM and the maturation of Qualcomm’s new silicon, not from day-to-day AI magic. To most upgraders, these are excellent ARM laptops first; the Copilot+ add-on is, at best, a side salad.
The Critical Analysis: Strengths, Gaps, and the Road Ahead
Notable Strengths
- Battery Life and Instant Wake: Almost universally praised; all-day usage is, finally, a reality outside Apple’s walled garden. Reports of 18-20 hours of mixed use are common.
- Form Factor and Build: Slim, cool, and genuinely portable devices—again, thanks more to ARM than Copilot+ per se.
- Security and Offline AI: NPU-powered features that work locally (translation, simple AI edits) bring improved privacy relative to cloud services. For regulatory- or privacy-sensitive deployments, this could be transformative.
- Click to Do: A small, user-driven feature that actually saves time, with broad appeal for everyday image and text tasks.
Risks and Frustrations
- App Compatibility: Legacy x86 software and many peripherals still stumble or refuse to work, leaving power users and certain enterprise workflows dead in the water. Emulation is ever-improving, but not yet seamless.
- Gated AI Features: Many “exclusive” Copilot+ features are partially or fully available on regular hardware, albeit slower or requiring cloud access. The exclusive AI play is, increasingly, a matter of marketing, not architecture.
- Recall and Privacy: The flagship feature breeds more anxiety than enthusiasm, and may ultimately see muted adoption beyond tightly-controlled environments .
- Price Premium: The “future-proof” AI hardware comes at a notable markup, with most launch devices starting around $1,000 or more. Meanwhile, mainstream non-AI laptops remain cheaper and more than sufficient for typical workloads.
The Blurred Line: Who Should Buy a Copilot+ PC?
Early adopters, tech journalists, and “second device” shoppers can find real value—if they’re comfortable with first-gen software hiccups, occasional compatibility pain, and unfulfilled AI promises. Copilot+ PCs are, on average, the best Snapdragon-powered laptops and tablets ever produced. They’re also the best ARM Windows laptops yet—by a wide margin.But for anyone who counts on stable, universal app compatibility, or who isn’t prepared for a privacy-centric learning curve (with features like Recall), there’s no rush. The true competitive edge of Copilot+ may emerge in Gen 2 or Gen 3 hardware and software, as the ecosystem matures and the AI “revolution” creeps closer to genuine necessity—not just novelty.
Conclusion: The Future’s Not Here... But It's Getting Closer
A year after launch, Copilot+ PCs are good—sometimes great—devices, but rarely because of Copilot+ itself. If there’s one lesson, it’s to buy these laptops for what they are (ultra-efficient, beautifully built ARM PCs finally ready for real-world use) rather than what Microsoft’s branding hopes they will be. The AI revolution on Windows is coming in fits and starts, with the most valuable features making only incremental differences—for now.But incremental change can add up. Click to Do proves even small, well-integrated AI can make users’ lives easier. Meanwhile, the drama around Recall is an important reminder: Not every innovation needs to be pushed on everyone, least of all at the expense of privacy or control. If Copilot+ is to win hearts, it will be through useful, trustworthy enhancements—not through relentless marketing campaigns or forced obsolescence.
As the second wave of Copilot+ devices (with new AMD, Intel, and potentially NVIDIA hardware) hits shelves, watch this space. The real test isn’t whether Copilot+ can dominate headlines—but whether, day by day, it can earn a spot in users’ daily workflows, for all the right reasons. For now, most Windows fans are content to wait and see—and they’re right to do so.
Source: Windows Central Microsoft's Copilot+ has been here over a year and I still don't care about it — but I do wish I had one of its features
