Microsoft’s Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 just made their public debut as the tech giant’s first “AI PCs” — business-oriented devices with native Copilot AI functionality.
Both these devices come with their own built-in Copilot keyboard button, which they say gives “instantaneous support” for those who need the AI generative text bot.
Will adding a physical AI key actually have a big impact? Can an AI button take over the place that the computer Start button holds in our hearts? Here’s what to know and how it might be able to help you in the workplace.
What to Know About the Copilot Key
The Copilot key itself is marked with the Copilot logo, an abstracted wavy loop in a gradient multicolor palette. The key is replacing the menu key (or application key) and will sit on the lower right-hand side of the keyboard, next to the alt key.
It’s an optional key: Copilot is not currently available in all regions, so laptop models sold within those regions will not include the key itself. However, if you have access to Copilot where you live, you can expect to receive a model with the physical key.
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The new 2024 Surface Pro keyboard, with the Copilot key included. Image source: Microsoft
The keyboard itself is also getting a facelift: A “bold” keyset includes a larger font in order to make the keyboard more easily readable, as well as better backlighting.
What Does the Copilot Key Actually Do?
Hit the key, and you’ll instantly launch Copilot for Windows, the generative text chatbot that you can communicate without through typed prompts. If you’ve ever used similar generative text bots like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, you should be familar with the process.
If Copilot for Windows is not available or has not yet been enabled on either the Surface Pro 10 and the Surface Laptop 6, pressing the Copilot key will simply launch Windows Search.
The New Surface Device Hardware
The Surface Pro 10 and the Surface Laptop 6 both come with new specs aimed at powering AI features that are so new they haven’t actually rolled out yet.
Both new devices have Intel’s most recent Core Ultra processors. They’ll also have a Neural Processing Unit, or NPU — a key element that aids with all the AI processing users will be requiring of these devices.
Microsoft Surface Pro 10
The Microsoft Surface Pro 10 has a Copilot key and:
- Entry-level specs:
- Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU
- 8GB of RAM
- 256GB of SSD storage
- Platinum or Black
- Starts at: $1,199
- High-end specs:
- Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU
- 64GB of RAM
- 1TB of storage
- Platinum only
- Starts at: $2,799
There’s no word yet on the specs for consumer model, but these commercial ones will start shipping on April 9th.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 has a Copilot key and:
- Entry-level specs:
- Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU
- 8GB of RAM
- 256GB of SSD storage
- Starts at: $1,199
- High-end specs:
- Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU
- 64GB of RAM
- 1TB of storage
- Starts at: $2,799
Externally, both new devices will look pretty similar to the previous models in each respective line, retaining similar bezels and designs.
The commercial Laptop 6 model will begin shipping on April 9th.
