Co with the flow

Are Copilot+ PCs like the new Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x another Microsoft marketing red pill, or the most radical laptop shake-up since the debut of the touchpad?

- Tom Morgan-Freelander

Put all the waffle about on-device AI to one side for a minute. The real reason to sit up and take notice of Microsoft's Copilot+ programme is that the initial models are all powered by Qualcomm processors. Yes, the Snapdragon X Elite is here to challenge the Intel/AMD duopoly, using similar tech to Apple's in-house silicon.

These ARM-based chips will (in theory) deliver better battery life than anything x86 can, while matching the MacBook Air for power. Is that enough to negate a few software complications for early adopters?

Lenovo is hoping so. The Yoga Slim 7x is the more mainstream of the firm's two Copilot+ offerings, opting for a casual 'cosmic blue' colour scheme instead of the ThinkPad line's blackout business chic.

The all-aluminium chassis looks and feels the part, but could do a better job at hiding fingerprint smudges: I was reaching for a cloth before a full day of use. It also feels like connectivity has been curtailed in pursuit of slimness, with just three USB-C ports.

But the real action is going on underneath the lid, with a lush OLED display, Atmos-approved speakers, and brainy bits that'll barely break a sweat with simple office work whether you're putting the neural processing unit to use or not.