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Microsoft Unveils New Hardware and Copilot Enhancements for the Enterprise
Microsoft continues to expand the scope of its AI platform with a new line of hardware and Copilot updates, built with AI at the center.
On Thursday, the company held a digital showcase, aimed at expanding the reach of AI in the enterprise, and made the case that Copilot is business ready.
"It's why we're thinking across our entire tech stack, from services to PC hardware, to ensure Copilot is integrated from client to cloud with the management, security and efficiency your organization needs," said Microsoft's Jared Spataro, VP for AI at Work, during the opening remarks of the digital presentation.
Microsoft Unveils Enterprise Surface Devices
The big news from the event was the unveiling of the Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Both come equipped with Intel's newest Core Ultra processors, feature Microsoft's new Copilot key, and include a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) designed to boost the performance of current and future AI-driven functionalities in Windows 11.
Microsoft said that the inclusion of the NPU will help improve efficiency, not just for AI-related tasks, but for everyday use as well. "From a performance perspective, Surface Laptop 6 is two times faster than Laptop 5, and Surface Pro 10 is up to 53 percent faster than Pro 9," said Microsoft in a blog announcement. "The benefits of the NPU integration include AI features like Windows Studio Effects and Live Captions and the opportunity for businesses and developers to build their own AI apps and experiences."
Surface Pro 10 for Business: The design of the latest version of Microsoft's laptop/tablet hybrid keeps the similar form factor from the previous generation, with its 13-inch touch screen, 2880 x 1920 resolution and detachable keyboard docking ability.
What's new is the choice of either the new Core Ultra 5 135U or Core Ultra 7 165U chip, increased brightness, improved Web camera and the ability to have 5G connectivity through Intel. Previous models only had 5G support through the ARM-based versions of the Surface Pro for Business.
Microsoft is also launching the new Surface Pro keyboard, which comes with a redesigned "bold" keyset, and the inclusion of the new Copilot key.
The new device price will start at $1,199 for the base model and will be available April 9.
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Figure 1. Microsoft Surface Pro 10 for Business, starting at $1,199.
Surface Laptop 6 for Business: Microsoft will continue to offer its enterprise-focused laptop in either 13- or 15-inch versions, and will also be available with the Core Ultra 5 135U or Core Ultra 7 165U chip. The latest generation device will also include an increased Web camera, and the option of a smart card reader for U.S. and Canadian customers (on the 15-inch model only).
The 13-inch version price will start at $1,199 and the 15-inch version price will start at $1,399, and both will be available starting April 9.
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Figure 2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 for Business will arrive with a 13- or 15-inch screen.
These two new devices are part of what Microsoft calls its "New Era of Work," which features AI at the core. Melissa Grant, Senior Director at Windows, outlined three strategic approaches Microsoft is adopting to help businesses leverage Copilot for enhancing productivity.
Advance your goals with Copilot
Dubbed the ultimate "task slayer," by Grant, Copilot was created to automate an array of tasks spanning applications, files, settings, data and the Internet. Serving as an "AI orchestrator," its primary goal is to optimize workflows, liberating employees to dedicate their focus to high-value tasks by managing mundane activities.
Grant announced that Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now fully integrated with Windows. "With Copilot in Windows, people can now select 'Work' to enable Copilot in M365 which works across their entire universe of data at work, including emails, meetings, chats, documents and more, plus the Web," Microsoft said in a follow-up blog post.
To demonstrate this, Grant gave a demo in which organizational data was able to be pulled up directly from Windows Copilot for work research, meeting summarization and email generation. She also showed off how Copilot can help customize and organize both your personal desktop and your workstation using an integrated Copilot experience on Windows. This is all done thanks to a new toggle at the top of the Copilot Windows experience that lets users choose "Work" or "Web."
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Figure 3. Microsoft's updated Copilot, integrated for both Windows OS and Microsoft 365.
Work Without Limits
The second approach is all about Microsoft's commitment to empowering employees to operate with flexibility and security, independent of their chosen device, according to Grant. Along with outlining some of the
company's recent enhancements to Copilot security for Microsoft 365, Grant discussed how the
unified Windows app (in preview) has allowed users to access their work desktops wherever they are, and announced that it will soon be coming to Android devices.
Innovate with You at the Center
The cornerstone of this strategy is preparing businesses for an AI-centric future through the adoption of cloud-based computing solutions for end-users. It aims to create a digital ecosystem that is not only secure and adaptable but also highly efficient, with Windows playing a pivotal role, bolstered by AI-driven enhancements in management, security and app development. Per Microsoft:
- Windows works with AI in Intune to automate and analyze your device estate, ensuring management efficiency and cost savings.
- Devices are always up to date with Windows Autopatch, with the latest security protections.
- Windows empowers an ecosystem of partners to deliver the latest devices, optimized for AI like the new Surface for business devices.
- App developers can create AI-powered apps with Windows AI Studio