Since Microsoft first launched the Arm architecture-based Copilot Plus laptops in June, everyone has been eager to see if the features of Copilot Plus can be applied to desktop computers. Six months later, the upcoming mini computers from Microsoft will bring AI functionalities to Windows 11, such as smart reminders, clickable to-do lists, and AI image generation and editing. These mini computers are expected to give Microsoft an edge in the competition against Apple's latest Mac Mini.
Amid this wave of mini computers, Asus has become the first PC manufacturer to announce support for Copilot Plus. The company unveiled the complete specifications of its upcoming NUC14Pro AI in September and showcased its capabilities just before the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Asus's mini computer features a dedicated Copilot button on the front design and is nearly the same size as Apple's latest Mac Mini, demonstrating clever design.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese company Geekom also revealed three new mini computers at CES. One model will be equipped with AMD's Strix Point processor, while another will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor, both of which will support Copilot Plus. The third model will feature Intel's yet-to-be-released Arrow Lake-H processor, although its NPU performance may not be sufficient to support Copilot Plus.
At the upcoming CES, we will keep an eye out for whether other Windows OEM manufacturers are preparing to launch mini computers that support Copilot Plus. CES is typically a stage for Microsoft to unveil its latest laptops or tablets; last year, Microsoft encouraged OEM manufacturers to add a Copilot shortcut key to their laptop keyboards. Asus's addition of the Copilot button to its mini computer shows the collaboration between Microsoft and these PC manufacturers.
Additionally, the Qualcomm chip mentioned by Geekom marks the entry of Qualcomm's latest chip into the mini computer market for the first time. Qualcomm had originally planned to launch its mini computer Snapdragon development kit in June, but it was delayed due to production issues. Qualcomm also hinted that the Snapdragon X Elite chip could appear in mini computers or even all-in-one PCs, and perhaps we will see an all-in-one PC with Copilot Plus next week.
Key Points:
🌟 Microsoft is set to launch mini computers with AI features and compatibility with Copilot Plus.
💻 Asus and Geekom are among the first manufacturers to release mini computers supporting Copilot Plus.
📅 CES will be a stage for major OEMs to showcase new products, making it worth watching.
