A growing number of computer users are beginning to realize that Microsoft’s initial lineup of Copilot+ machines—designed for local AI processing—falls short in a fundamental area: gaming performance. The Arm-powered devices, which were heralded as “the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built” by CEO Satya Nadella, are struggling to deliver on this promise, particularly when it comes to popular video games.
Microsoft’s marketing boasts of “powerful new silicon capable of an incredible 40+ TOPS (trillion operations per second), all-day battery life, and access to the most advanced AI models.” However, these impressive specifications do little to enhance the gaming experience, as many gamers have discovered that the Copilot+ PCs are unable to run widely-loved titles effectively.
The Processor Dilemma
The crux of the issue lies in the reliance on the Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. While the hardware may be powerful, the majority of video games are developed for Intel and AMD’s x86-64 architecture. According to research from Omdia, approximately 1,300 games were tested on Microsoft’s first wave of AI PCs, with only around half achieving acceptable performance levels.
This performance gap arises because running x86-64 compiled games on Arm requires an Intel emulation layer, a scenario that often leads to subpar execution. The only viable solution would involve game developers recompiling their software for Arm, a process that is unlikely to happen swiftly. Although Epic Games is reportedly in discussions to improve compatibility with Qualcomm, the broader gaming industry is not expected to pivot overnight.
A Troubling Situation for Microsoft
For Microsoft, this situation is particularly troubling. The company is not just a tech giant but also a significant player in the gaming industry through its Xbox Game Studios. Last year, Microsoft made headlines with its monumental billion-dollar acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a move that raised eyebrows among regulators and competitors alike. Yet, in the wake of this investment, Microsoft seems to have shifted its focus to generative AI, pouring resources into OpenAI while neglecting its gaming roots.
In a recent announcement regarding the new Copilot+ Surface models, Microsoft emphasized their “business potential,” omitting any mention of gaming. While it’s true that Surfaces are not typically marketed as gaming devices, the reality is that many users will still install games on them. In 2024, gaming is no longer relegated to children; it has evolved into a mainstream form of entertainment for adults.
The Blurred Line Between Work and Play
Moreover, the line between work and play is increasingly blurred, and consumers are left questioning the true purpose of AI PCs. Forrester Research has pointed out that the platform currently lacks a “killer app” that would make AI PCs indispensable for business use. With past failures like Windows Recall and the limited functionality of built-in chatbots, users are left wondering what these new machines can offer that traditional PCs cannot.
Concerns are mounting that the tech industry is aggressively pushing the AI PC concept without adequately addressing consumer needs. Canalys predicts that by 2027, AI PCs will become a necessity, while Dell asserts that “every PC is going to be an AI PC” in the long run. However, with Intel and AMD also set to release their own Copilot+ PCs, there may be hope for users seeking versatile machines that cater to both work and play.
Ultimately, the question remains: Shouldn’t Microsoft have ensured that Copilot+ PCs delivered the performance and versatility they promised from the outset? Otherwise, they risk becoming little more than glorified Chromebooks lacking essential applications. With a history of missteps in the Windows on Arm initiative, it appears that Microsoft has yet again stumbled in its quest to revolutionize personal computing.