Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Introduces AI-Powered PCs to Compete with Apple's Mac

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes that a new generation of computers with specialized AI chips and faster performance will reignite the rivalry between Windows PCs and Apple’s Mac. “Apple’s done a fantastic job,” Nadella said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Monday. “We now want to bring real competition back to the Windows versus Mac.”

Microsoft has introduced a new line of AI-focused PCs called Copilot+PC. These new machines, featuring a chip dedicated to AI processing, will be part of the Microsoft Surface lineup and other manufacturers. They are claimed to be 58% faster than Apple’s top MacBook Air M3. The new hardware will start at $1,000 and will be available from June 18.

Apple, meanwhile, is catching up with its Big Tech rivals in AI. At its Worldwide Developers Conference next month, Apple plans to unveil its strategy, which includes high-end chips for cloud-computing servers to handle advanced AI tasks. Simpler AI features will be processed directly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, aiming to enhance user convenience with customized experiences.

Microsoft is leveraging its partnership with leading AI startup OpenAI to take an early lead in generative AI services. However, this partnership is under regulatory scrutiny in the US, Europe, and the UK, where officials are examining whether Microsoft’s AI investments hinder competition and should be regulated like mergers. Nadella emphasized that these partnerships are fostering competition rather than restricting it. “Today there is a formidable amount of competition,” he said. “Whether it is between the big players or the small players. So I don’t think this is about any one company acquiring or not acquiring, but it’s about competition.”