The advent of AI PCs marked by the release of Snapdragon X Series and Copilot+ laptops, including the impressive Surface Pro 11, heralds a new era of technological innovation. However, the journey has been tumultuous, particularly with Microsoft’s PR issues surrounding the Recall feature. Moreover, Copilot+ features are currently limited to devices with a Snapdragon X Series chip, which may deter some users from immediate adoption. Fortunately, you don’t need to rush out for a new laptop to access many of these groundbreaking features. Here’s how you can replicate some of these AI capabilities on your existing Windows PC using alternative tools and workarounds.
AI Image Manipulation – Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill, powered by the Firefly AI model, offers a fantastic alternative to Copilot+’s image manipulation features. This tool allows you to select parts of an image and replace them with AI-generated elements that match the original’s perspective, lighting, and style. Additionally, Photoshop’s Neural Filters use AI to apply various filters and effects to your images, paralleling the capabilities of Copilot+ Image Restyler. Adobe’s suite of AI tools extends to other applications like Illustrator and Lightroom, providing a comprehensive range of creative options.
Video Recording Features – Nvidia Broadcast
Copilot+ includes Windows Studio Effects, which enhances video recording and calls by allowing background changes, filter application, lighting adjustments, and eye contact correction. Nvidia Broadcast offers similar functionalities for users with GeForce RTX graphics cards. This app can eliminate background noise, provide virtual green screen effects, track facial movements, and correct eye contact. For those without compatible graphics cards, XSplit VCam offers a great alternative with similar features and broader compatibility, even working on Macs.
The Copilot Key
Many new laptops with AI capabilities include a dedicated Copilot key to launch the assistant quickly. For those without this key, simply press Windows key + C to access the chatbot. Alternatively, you can remap an existing key to serve as your Copilot key, ensuring easy access without needing new hardware.
Live Captions
Live Captions, an accessibility feature upgraded in Copilot+ is available in a basic form on any Windows 11 PC. It transcribes spoken dialogue, making it accessible to users with hearing impairments. While Copilot+ PCs will support more languages and translation capabilities, alternatives like Google Translate, Chrome’s Live Captions and Live Translate, and Zoom’s translated captions offer similar functionalities for various needs.
Don’t Buy a Laptop for the Wrong Reason
While the Snapdragon X laptops boast impressive battery life, performance, and design, Copilot+ should not be the primary reason for purchasing them. AI features are widely available and rapidly evolving, often rendering specific capabilities redundant. Focus on hardware specifications and overall performance when considering a new computer, ensuring your investment is justified beyond the allure of AI enhancements.
