Microsoft has dropped the Copilot+ PC branding, which it launched in May 2024 as a response to Google's Chromebook Plus initiative. The Copilot+ PC label was introduced to highlight a new class of personal computers designed to integrate artificial intelligence features more seamlessly, such as real-time captioning with translation and image editing tools. The first devices bearing this label appeared in mid-June 2024 and were initially limited to Arm-based laptops, with Qualcomm being the sole provider of a processor that included a neural processing unit (NPU) meeting the required standards. In September 2024, the initiative expanded to include x86-based computers, such as those using Intel’s Core Ultra 200V and AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 chips, but the full implementation of AI features was delayed until November. Over time, the technical requirements for Copilot+ PCs have become less exclusive. The key feature—an NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second)—has become more common as newer chips from various manufacturers have included such capabilities. Meanwhile, 16 GB of RAM, once a standard feature, has become less common, with many manufacturers now offering models with 8 GB of memory, including some in Microsoft’s own Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lines. The software ecosystem for Arm-based computers has grown, but some major applications remain absent. Adobe, for example, still does not offer native versions of its popular creative tools such as After Effects, InDesign, and Illustrator for the Arm platform as of early 2025. Additionally, virtualization tools like VMware and VirtualBox have yet to support Arm-based systems, and some peripheral devices, such as printers and virtual private networks (VPNs), still face driver compatibility issues. NPU development has remained fragmented, with each manufacturer using its own programming models and tools. Qualcomm, for instance, discontinued its Snapdragon Dev Kit due to problems with the HDMI interface and other technical challenges. Early versions of NPUs compatible with Copilot+ PCs also lacked unified memory, which limited the potential for "local AI" capabilities. Some PC manufacturers have opted for GPUs instead of NPUs for AI tasks, with companies like ASUS, HP, and Lenovo developing their own AI tools that sometimes overlap with Microsoft’s offerings. Meanwhile, Microsoft has shifted its focus to other projects, such as Project Zenith, which aims to create PCs preconfigured for software development using local AI models.