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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Microsoft Copilot does not use one universal model, and there is no single model menu shared by every Copilot product. The models you can use depend on the surface—Copilot Chat, Researcher, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Copilot Studio—plus your license, region, rollout stage, and administrator settings.
This guide separates those controls so you can tell whether you can choose Claude or GPT in the Copilot experience you actually use.
Which AI models does Microsoft Copilot use?
Microsoft documents Copilot experiences using models from OpenAI and, in specific experiences, Anthropic. The practical answer is surface-specific:
| Copilot experience | Documented model-choice route | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot Chat | Microsoft release notes describe Claude as selectable for some Copilot Chat tasks. | That is rollout information, not a guarantee that every account currently has the selector. |
| Researcher | Users can work with GPT or Claude; Model Council can compare reports from multiple deep-reasoning agents. | A Microsoft Copilot license is required, and an administrator must allow Anthropic access before Claude is available. Model Council is a Frontier early-access feature. |
| Copilot in Word, Excel and PowerPoint | An administrator can enable Anthropic models for supported Copilot experiences in these apps. | The setting is app-specific and separate from Microsoft 365’s global Anthropic subprocessor control. Anthropic processing occurs outside the Microsoft EU Data Boundary when those models are used. |
| Copilot Studio | Agent builders select from the models shown in Copilot Studio’s own model settings and regional availability tables. | Availability and status vary by region. Experimental models may have limited functionality and are not recommended for production. |
Microsoft does not publish evidence here for a universal accuracy ranking between GPT and Claude. Treat descriptions such as “complex analysis” or “document understanding” as Microsoft’s stated use cases, not independent benchmark results.
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#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Can I choose Claude or GPT in Copilot?
Sometimes. Whether you can choose a provider depends on the product and on controls applied to your account or tenant.
Copilot Chat
Microsoft release notes describe Claude as a selectable option in Copilot Chat for complex analysis, document understanding and structured content generation across Android, Windows, iOS, Mac and the web. Release-note availability is dated rollout information: a user may not see the option because deployment, licensing, region or administrator policy differs.
Check the model picker in your Copilot Chat interface. If no picker appears, do not assume that Claude is unavailable everywhere; ask your Microsoft 365 administrator which models are enabled for your tenant and whether your account is included in the rollout.
Rank #2
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
Researcher
Researcher supports GPT models from OpenAI and Claude models from Anthropic. In the Microsoft Copilot app on desktop or the web, model choice requires a Microsoft Copilot license. Your administrator must also enable Anthropic access before Claude can be used.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Researcher offers two distinct ways to work:
- Selected model: choose an available GPT or Claude option for the report.
- Model Council: send the same question to multiple deep-reasoning agents, retain their individual reports, and receive a summary of agreement, disagreement and distinct contributions.
Microsoft describes Model Council as a Frontier early-access feature, so it is not a standard entitlement for every licensed user.
How Anthropic model controls work in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Microsoft documents an administrator setting that enables Anthropic models in Copilot experiences across Word, Excel and PowerPoint. When enabled, Anthropic models can be used by default to generate or refine content in those supported apps.
Rank #3
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
This is not a universal “turn on Claude everywhere” switch. The app-level control does not itself govern other Copilot features, and it is separate from Microsoft 365’s global Anthropic subprocessor setting.
Tenant defaults and dates
Microsoft says the app setting is on by default for tenants in the EU, EFTA and UK created after March 25, 2026. Existing tenants should use their Microsoft 365 Message Center information and administrator settings to determine the actual state. Defaults can change, so the tenant configuration—not the documented default—is authoritative for your organization.
EU Data Boundary implication
Microsoft’s documentation states: “When Anthropic models are used in Copilot experiences in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, data processing for these models occurs outside of the Microsoft EU Data Boundary (EUDB).” Organizations with residency or compliance requirements should have an administrator review this implication before enabling the setting.
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Anthropic subprocessor setting
Microsoft says the Anthropic independent processor setting was decommissioned on May 1, 2026. If Anthropic is not enabled as a Microsoft subprocessor, Anthropic model access and related features are no longer available. This global control is distinct from the Word, Excel and PowerPoint Copilot setting, so both policy layers may matter.
Why Copilot Studio has a different model list
Copilot Studio is an agent-building product, not simply another view of consumer Copilot or Microsoft 365 Copilot. Its model selector and availability tables apply to the Copilot Studio agent harness.
Copilot Studio documents availability by region and status. Experimental models can have limited testing, availability or functionality and may process or store data outside your organization’s geographical boundaries. Microsoft does not recommend experimental models for production use. Do not copy a Copilot Studio model list and assume those models are available in Copilot Chat, Researcher or Office apps.
Best Value
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
What determines the model options you see?
- Surface: Chat, Researcher, an Office app or Copilot Studio has its own controls.
- License: Researcher model choice requires a Microsoft Copilot license.
- Administrator policy: Anthropic access may need to be enabled at the tenant or app level.
- Region: eligibility, data processing and Copilot Studio availability vary geographically.
- Rollout status: a feature can be generally available, preview, experimental, Frontier access or still rolling out.
- Time: model names, defaults and controls change as Microsoft updates the service.
How to identify your available model
- Open the specific Copilot surface you intend to use rather than a different Copilot app.
- Look for a model name, model-picker control or Researcher model-selection option near the prompt or task setup.
- For Researcher, confirm that your account has a Microsoft Copilot license and that your administrator has enabled Anthropic access if you need Claude.
- For Word, Excel or PowerPoint, ask your Microsoft 365 administrator to verify the Anthropic Copilot setting and the separate Anthropic subprocessor policy.
- For Copilot Studio, check the model’s regional availability and status in Copilot Studio’s own documentation before using it in an agent.
- If a model is missing, record the product, account type, region and tenant, then ask the administrator whether licensing, policy or rollout explains the difference.
How should you compare GPT and Claude in Copilot?
There is no supported universal “best model” verdict in the available Microsoft material. Compare the options that your surface actually exposes using these questions:
- Which Copilot surface will perform the task?
- Is the choice made by you, enabled by an administrator or fixed by an agent configuration?
- Is the model generally available, in preview, experimental or Frontier access?
- Where will processing occur, and does that meet your organization’s geographic or compliance requirements?
- Does Microsoft’s stated use case—such as complex analysis, document understanding or structured content generation—match your task?
For important work, review the generated result regardless of provider. The documentation cited here does not establish an independent accuracy or performance winner.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft Copilot is a family of surfaces, not one model. Claude and GPT may both be available, but the answer depends on the exact Copilot product, your license, region, rollout and administrator settings. Check the model menu in that surface and have your Microsoft 365 administrator verify any missing provider or data-boundary requirement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
