As the October 2025 Windows 10 End of Life deadline approaches, MSPs face a golden hardware opportunity. Enter Microsoft Copilot+ PCs, a new class of AI-enabled systems that promise enhanced productivity and a modernized experience.
It will take time for businesses to fully adopt the new functionality these systems offer. However, this marks a major shift in how computing power is utilized. It’s also an exciting and potentially lucrative opportunity for MSPs.
What Makes a Computer a Copilot+ PC?
The “Copilot” brand is now being used for practically everything AI inside of every Microsoft product. As a result, many assume a Copilot+ PC is simply a PC with Microsoft’s Copilot AI built in. But that isn’t entirely true. Copilot+ PCs combine a strict set of AI-optimized hardware and security features that unlock a number of local AI models and AI features within Windows 11 that are not available to standard PCs.
The primary hardware differentiator that sets a Copilot+ PCs apart is a supported processor with a dedicated hardware AI accelerator (also known as an NPU) capable of 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second). Today that limits Copilot+ PCs to a few specific processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. 16GB of DDR5 memory and 256GB or larger SSD are also required, as well as Windows Hello ESS, which is a combination of specialized hardware and software security components.
While these specs are cutting-edge, the immediate functionality of Copilot+ PCs is somewhat limited today. The showcase feature is Recall, an AI explorable timeline of everything a user sees on their screen, as well as Live Captions for real-time translation. There are other features and improvements that are helpful but not transformative — yet.
Nate Sheen
Why AI in PCs Will Matter—Soon
The ability to run AI models locally is a game-changer in waiting. Localized AI will enable more advanced workflows, such as real-time data analysis, personalized automation, and deeper integration with business-critical tools.
“AI is 100 percent the next frontier. Why would you buy a computer that doesn’t have this built in?” asked Nate Sheen, president of Astoria, an Ohio-based MSP. It’s a compelling question, especially as businesses increasingly rely on AI for everything from customer insights to operational efficiency.
The challenge, however, is that many businesses — and even some MSPs — don’t yet see the full picture.
Messaging Matters: The Value Proposition of Copilot+
Larry Walsh, CEO and chief analyst for Channelnomics, shared concerns on how Copilot+ PCs are currently being positioned. “The OEMs — PC manufacturers and software providers — have done a terrible job articulating the value proposition of AI embedded in their machines. AI is doing a lot more than just writing emails and answering questions. AI is a means to maximizing the efficiency of a PC as much as providing an interactive user experience.”
Larry Walsh
For MSPs, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Educating customers about the benefits of AI — today and in the future — can position you as a technology expert. By framing Copilot+ PCs as forward-looking investments, rather than just new hardware, you help customers connect the dots between today’s incremental features and tomorrow’s business-critical capabilities.
Usher in the Future, Not the Past
The reality is that many organizations are overdue for a hardware refresh. The average business PC fleet is aging. With machines that might struggle to meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11, let alone fully support AI-powered tools.
With Windows 10’s End of Life creating urgency, MSPs should start their Copilot+ journey now. Not only will these systems ensure smooth transitions to Windows 11, but they’ll also future-proof businesses as AI becomes more deeply integrated into workflows.
For MSPs, there’s no better time to engage in hardware refresh conversations, educate customers on the growing role of AI, and position themselves as leaders in the AI-driven future.
The question isn’t whether businesses will adopt AI-enabled PCs. It’s whether they’ll do it with your guidance—or someone else’s.
Images: Microsoft
