July 29, 2024
The debate between PC and Mac users has been ongoing for years, with each side touting the benefits of their preferred systems. Recently, Microsoft’s CoPilot+ PCs and Apple’s new AI feature Apple Intelligence in MacBooks have made significant strides in the AI Assistant domain, bringing more features and productivity tools to the forefront than ever seen before.
Microsoft Copilot has been available for use since November 2023 but in June, Copilot+ Pcs became available for purchase or pre-order. This includes devices such as the ASUS Vivobook S 15 and Dell XPS 13 and about 20 other devices - some of which will only be available for purchase later in the year. You can read more about prices & release dates here.
Microsoft Copilot is part of the Microsoft 365 subscription, with advanced features available in the Copilot Pro package and can be used on any device, including MacBooks. Copilot+ PC's come with a specialised chip, designed specifically for AI tasks. It is extremely powerful, and with small changes (like a Copilot key embedded in the keyboards) these devices put AI at the core of their operating system.
Also in June, Apple announced that Apple Intelligence would be integrated as a feature of Apple's iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia operating systems. Mac users just need an Apple Silicon computer, meaning one released in 2020 or newer. Focused on the personal consumer experience instead of enterprise levels, we will see applications of AI in a much more intuitive way. From photo editing to notification filtering based on priority, it’s an effective AI assistant for Apple users.
Each with its own strengths, this guide aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between Copilot+ PCs and Apple Intelligence in Mac, helping you make an informed decision for your business or personal use. You can find a guide on the integration of these tools for mobile.
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered tool integrated into Microsoft 365 applications, designed to enhance productivity and streamline various tasks. It offers real-time assistance in applications like Outlook, Excel, and Word, helping users draft emails, generate data visualisations, and create summaries efficiently. Copilot Pro and Copilot+ PCs offer distinct features for different user needs. With a powerful new silicon chip capable of an incredible 40+ TOPS (trillion operations per second), all-day battery life and access to the most advanced AI models, Copilot+ PCs will enable you to perform tasks you can’t on any other PC. For instance, you will be able to ask Copilot to summarise documents, organise windows on your screen or change from light mode to dark mode.
Apple Intelligence is Apple's multimodal, cross-platform approach to today's AI computing trend. Apple has integrated AI and machine learning across its macOS ecosystem, enhancing functionalities such as Siri, Spotlight search, and various productivity apps. Apple Intelligence leverages the power of its custom silicon (M1 and M2 chips) to provide a seamless, intuitive user experience. It harnesses the power of Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. With Apple Intelligence writing tools you will be able to do things such as edit emails and documents on the go, with integrated proofreading & tone editing capabilities.
Here is an example of the writing tools Apple Intelligence in action:
Copilot PCs: Copilot offers features such as real-time suggestions for drafting emails, creating reports, and generating data visualisations. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Excel, and Word to streamline workflows. Additionally, Copilot provides advanced data analysis tools that simplify interpreting large datasets and generating insights, enhancing collaboration with features like automatic meeting scheduling, document sharing, and version control.
Apple Intelligence in Mac: Apple's productivity tools are equally robust, with Siri offering assistance in scheduling meetings, setting reminders, and answering queries using natural language processing. The enhanced Spotlight Search quickly finds documents, emails, and information across the system and the web. Automator allows users to automate repetitive tasks and create custom workflows, while the Universal Clipboard feature lets users seamlessly copy and paste content across Apple devices, enhancing overall productivity.
Copilot PCs: Security is a top priority with Copilot PCs, featuring built-in Microsoft Defender to protect against malware, phishing, and other cyber threats. IT administrators can implement Conditional Access Policies to ensure only authorised users can access sensitive information. Data encryption is robust, utilising BitLocker for full disk encryption to protect data on devices.Microsoft is clear on the fact that it doesn't share your data with a third party unless you've granted permission to do so. Further, they don't use your customer data to train Copilot or its AI features, unless you provide consent.That being said, a new Copilot+ PC feature called Recall received a lot of backlash for its possible privacy concerns. Instead of being widely released as part of the company’s anticipated AI PC launch as planned, it will now be available for a preview on the Windows Insider Programme.
Apple Intelligence in Mac: Macs themselves offer strong security features like Gatekeeper, which ensures only trusted software runs on your device, protecting against malicious apps.
Apple’s Intelligence make the case it can do this without sacrificing privacy, the company says it has built a new way to handle sensitive data in the cloud. Apple has built a Private Cloud Compute server to process and then delete data sent from Apple Intelligence running on an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Apple says it won't store any AI data on its cloud, and you can read more about that here.
Copilot PCs: Copilot PCs, running on Windows 11, are optimised for performance and efficiency, featuring tools like Snap Layouts for enhanced multitasking. These PCs offer a wide range of hardware options to meet different performance needs and budgets, with intelligent resource management ensuring smooth operation even with demanding applications.
Apple Intelligence in Mac: Macs powered by M1, M2 and M3 chips deliver high performance and energy efficiency, resulting in longer battery life and faster processing. The deep integration between macOS and Apple’s custom silicon ensures smooth and responsive performance, while machine learning optimises system performance and predicts user needs.
Copilot PCs: Users of Copilot PCs benefit from a highly customisable interface that adapts to individual preferences and workflows. The comprehensive accessibility features make the system usable for people with a range of disabilities, while regular updates and extensive support from Microsoft enhance the overall user experience.
Apple Intelligence in Mac: Macs are known for their intuitive design, offering a clean and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Continuity features provide seamless integration with other Apple devices, significantly enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, regular macOS updates and support from Apple ensure the system remains up-to-date and reliable.
When it comes to integration and compatibility, both Apple and Microsoft offer robust tools tailored to their respective ecosystems. Seamlessly integrated into the iOS system, Apple Intelligence enhances user experience across all apps but is limited to the Apple ecosystem. Any macOS Sequoia operating systems on Macs released after 2020 will run Apple Intelligence. Although the copilot software is more widely accessible, the latest Copilot+ PCs enable tasks beyond the capabilities of other PCs and provide access to the most advanced AI models,
Apple Intelligence is free for Mac and iPhone 15 users and will be automatically integrated with the Sequoia update. Microsoft Copilot offers some free features, but full utilisation requires purchasing the Microsoft Bundle, with advanced text generation available through Copilot Pro. Copilot PCs are already ready for purchase and offer the unique feature of having a dedicated AI key for efficiency.
We recommend Copilot+ PCs if you are a business person looking for advanced productivity tools, powerful data analysis capabilities, and a highly customisable system that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications. You would use the AI for drafting emails, generating data visualisations, creating reports, and automating routine tasks to enhance efficiency.
We recommend Apple Intelligence in Mac if you are a creative looking for a system perfect for design, video editing, and music production software, with seamless integration across the Apple ecosystem and high performance with long battery life. You would use the AI for optimising creative workflows, managing media assets, and enhancing productivity through features like Siri, Spotlight search, and Automator.
Comparing Copilot for Windows and Apple Intelligence for Mac can be complex, but getting the right guidance can make all the difference.
Superior IT's team of professionals with over 50 years of experience are here to help you navigate these AI-powered assistants, ensuring you choose the best fit for your business needs. Whether you need help with installation, optimisation, or understanding their capabilities, we are here to support you.
Read more about the services we provide here or contact us to get access to our expertise.
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