New chips, new screens, new gadgets
Digest
David Pierce explores the Books Palma, an e-ink device that runs Android, and its unique appeal for reading long-form content. He highlights its portability, the ability to use various reading apps, and the lack of distractions from other apps. He then interviews Tom Warren and Nathan Edwards, who have been reviewing the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, both powered by Qualcomm chips and featuring AI capabilities. They discuss the performance of the devices, noting that while not as powerful as Apple Silicon, they are competitive and offer good battery life. They also touch upon the AI features, which are still in their early stages and not yet game-changing. The conversation concludes with a question from a listener about the future of Windows 11 computers and the potential for x86 architecture to be phased out. The panelists discuss the potential impact of ARM processors on the PC market, noting that while ARM is not likely to completely replace x86, it is becoming a significant competitor, especially in the premium and productivity segments. They also discuss the role of AI in the future of Windows PCs and the potential for a more competitive and diverse market with multiple chip architectures.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode and the topic of the episode, which is about the new generation of Windows PCs and the potential for AI to change how we use them.
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Surface Laptop and Surface Pro Review
This Chapter features an interview with Tom Warren and Nathan Edwards, who have been reviewing the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, both powered by Qualcomm chips and featuring AI capabilities. They discuss the performance of the devices, noting that while not as powerful as Apple Silicon, they are competitive and offer good battery life. They also touch upon the AI features, which are still in their early stages and not yet game-changing.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Listener Question: The Future of Windows 11
This Chapter features a question from a listener about the future of Windows 11 computers and the potential for x86 architecture to be phased out.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Future of Windows on ARM
This Chapter discusses the potential impact of ARM processors on the PC market, noting that while ARM is not likely to completely replace x86, it is becoming a significant competitor, especially in the premium and productivity segments. The panelists also discuss the role of AI in the future of Windows PCs and the potential for a more competitive and diverse market with multiple chip architectures.
Keywords
Books Palma
The Books Palma is an e-ink device that runs Android, offering a unique reading experience with a focus on long-form content. It features a 6.1-inch e-ink Carta 1200 display, 6GB of RAM, a rear camera, and runs Android, making it a hybrid between a smartphone and an e-reader. It is praised for its portability, the ability to use various reading apps, and the lack of distractions from other apps.
Surface Laptop
The Surface Laptop is a line of laptops produced by Microsoft, known for their sleek design and premium build quality. The latest iteration features Qualcomm chips and AI capabilities, aiming to offer a powerful and versatile computing experience. It is praised for its performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
Surface Pro
The Surface Pro is a line of 2-in-1 devices produced by Microsoft, combining the functionality of a tablet and a laptop. The latest iteration features Qualcomm chips and AI capabilities, aiming to offer a powerful and versatile computing experience. It is praised for its performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
Qualcomm
Qualcomm is a multinational semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company that designs and manufactures digital wireless communications products and services. They are known for their Snapdragon processors, which are used in a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The Snapdragon chips are designed to offer high performance and energy efficiency, making them suitable for a variety of computing tasks.
AI
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, which refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems. AI is used in a wide range of applications, including image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning. In the context of the podcast, AI is being integrated into Windows PCs to enhance user experience and provide new functionalities.
Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's Windows operating system, released in 2021. It features a redesigned user interface, improved performance, and enhanced security features. It is also being adapted to work with Qualcomm chips and AI capabilities, opening up new possibilities for Windows PCs.
x86
x86 is a family of instruction set architectures (ISAs) for computer processors, widely used in personal computers and servers. It is the dominant architecture for PCs, but with the rise of ARM processors, there is a potential for x86 to be phased out in the future.
ARM
ARM is a British multinational semiconductor and software design company that develops processor architectures for a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. ARM processors are known for their energy efficiency and low power consumption, making them suitable for mobile devices. They are also becoming increasingly popular in PCs, challenging the dominance of x86 architecture.
Copilot Plus
Copilot Plus is a new feature in Windows 11 that uses AI to enhance productivity and user experience. It is available on a range of PCs, including those powered by Qualcomm chips and ARM processors. Copilot Plus aims to provide a more intuitive and personalized computing experience, with features such as voice control, intelligent suggestions, and automated tasks.
AMD
AMD, Advanced Micro Devices, is a multinational semiconductor company that designs and manufactures microprocessors, chipsets, graphics processing units (GPUs), and other related technologies. AMD is a major competitor to Intel in the PC market, offering a range of processors for desktops, laptops, and servers. AMD processors are known for their performance and value, and they are increasingly popular in the gaming and high-performance computing markets.
Q&A
What are the key features and benefits of the Books Palma e-ink device?
The Books Palma is a portable e-ink device that runs Android, making it ideal for reading long-form content. It offers a distraction-free reading experience, allowing users to focus on books, articles, and web pages without being tempted by other apps. Its portability and ability to use various reading apps make it a versatile and convenient reading companion.
How do the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro perform with Qualcomm chips and AI capabilities?
The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, powered by Qualcomm chips, offer competitive performance and good battery life. While not as powerful as Apple Silicon, they are a significant improvement over previous Snapdragon-based Windows laptops. The AI features are still in their early stages and not yet game-changing, but they show promise for future enhancements.
What is the potential impact of the new Windows on ARM devices on the PC market?
The release of Windows on ARM devices, powered by Qualcomm chips, could potentially lead to a shift in the PC market. While x86 architecture remains dominant, the performance and battery life of ARM-based devices are becoming increasingly competitive. The future of Windows 11 computers may involve a greater adoption of ARM processors, potentially phasing out x86 architecture in the long run.
What is the future of Windows on ARM devices, and how will it impact the PC market?
The panelists believe that ARM processors will become a significant competitor in the PC market, especially in the premium and productivity segments. While ARM is unlikely to completely replace x86, it will offer a compelling alternative for users who prioritize battery life, portability, and AI-powered features. The future of Windows 11 computers may involve a greater adoption of ARM processors, potentially phasing out x86 architecture in the long run.
What is the role of AI in the future of Windows PCs?
AI is expected to play a significant role in the future of Windows PCs, enhancing user experience and providing new functionalities. Features like Copilot Plus, which uses AI to automate tasks and provide intelligent suggestions, are expected to become more prevalent. The integration of AI into Windows PCs could lead to a more intuitive and personalized computing experience.
Will there be a single winner in the chip architecture battle between x86 and ARM?
The panelists believe that the PC market will likely become more diverse and competitive, with multiple chip architectures coexisting. While ARM is gaining traction, x86 remains dominant, and AMD is also a significant player. The future of Windows PCs may involve a mix of x86, ARM, and potentially other chip architectures, offering users a wider range of choices and options.
Show Notes
Today on the flagship podcast of the many definitions of electronic paper:
03:12 -The Verge’s David Pierce takes a look at the Boox Palma, a phone-shaped e-reader that runs Android. He also compares notes with Clockwise’s Matt Martin and writer Craig Mod.
- The Boox Palma is an amazing gadget I didn't even know I wanted
New Pop-up Walk, Reading Digitally in 2024 — Roden Newsletter Archive
30:06 - The Verge’s Nathan Edwards and Tom Warren join the show to discuss their experience using Microsoft’s new Surface Copilot PCs. They also answer a question from The Vergecast Hotline.
- Surface Laptop 7th Edition review: Microsoft’s best MacBook Air competitor yet
- With Copilot Plus, the new and improved Windows PCs are here
- Microsoft’s embarrassing Recall
- Microsoft makes Copilot less useful on new Copilot Plus PCs
Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you.
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