Microsoft retreats from Copilot+ PC branding on new Surface devices

Microsoft is backing away from the “Copilot+ PC” name, even as new computers continue to meet the hardware requirements associated with the label.

The company’s latest 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop are not marketed as Copilot+ PCs, despite qualifying under the previous specification. Microsoft Surface corporate vice president Brett Ostrom told Windows Central that the products “are not called Copilot Plus PCs,” while emphasizing that they still meet the former requirements and support local and hybrid AI capabilities.

Qualcomm senior vice president Kedar Kondap similarly said the category was created to define devices capable of delivering neural processing unit experiences, including a performance threshold of roughly 45 TOPS. Computers offering those experiences will “probably” no longer use the Copilot+ PC terminology, he told Windows Central.

Microsoft introduced the brand with Qualcomm in 2024 to identify Windows PCs meeting a new baseline for on-device AI features. The launch was disrupted after security concerns prompted Microsoft to delay Recall, a flagship feature. Windows Central reports that PC manufacturers have since reduced use of the label in marketing and product names. Microsoft’s 2026 Surface models now mention compatibility mainly in specification details, while Nvidia has not adopted the branding for its forthcoming RTX Spark systems, which reportedly meet the technical bar.

The underlying hardware standard and AI capabilities remain, but Microsoft and its partners appear to be retiring the consumer-facing name.