Qualcomm has created the direct competitor to Apple’s M chip series, first unveiled in the backend of 2020. Qualcomm’s new ARM-based processor, the Snapdragon X Elite looks to deliver performance and efficiency on par with Apple for Windows devices.  ARM processors are designed for efficiency which provides a few benefits such as:

• Efficiency: As mentioned before, lower power consumption translates to longer battery life for mobile devices.

• Smaller size: The efficient design allows for smaller chip sizes, which is crucial for packing a lot of power into compact devices.

• Versatility: ARM architecture can be adapted for various devices, from low-power wearables to powerful laptops.

Specifications

The Snapdragon X Elite features Qualcomm’s new 12 Oryon cores running at up to 4.2GHz cores designed to deliver improved performance and efficiency.  Alongside is the Adreno GPU Graphics Processing Unit) translates to 4.6 trillion floating-point operations per second giving the processor smoother performance for demanding tasks like video editing and high-quality gaming. The integrated Snapdragon X65 5G modem allows constant connectivity enabling reliable internet access on the go. The processor has a Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing Unit) that can perform 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS) to handle demanding AI tasks. Applications such as facial recognition, photo editing software, and improved battery optimisation through AI-powered management.

Pros and Cons

The emergence of the Snapdragon X Elite could lead to a wider range of thin and light laptops that prioritise portability without sacrificing performance. The inclusion of an integrated 5G modem caters to users who demand constant connectivity appealing to professionals on the go. For the next generation of ARM Windows-based laptops to succeed Windows applications will need to adapt to ARM-based processors as most applications are built for X86 processors. For gamers, the integrated Adreno GPU may be powerful, but it may not match high-end dedicated GPUs for gaming at the highest settings. The Snapdragon X Elite represents a significant leap forward for ARM-based laptops that can offer performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities.

Summary

Snapdragon X Elite represents a significant step forward for the laptop processor market. Qualcomm’s new processor offers a combination of performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities which will lead to a wider range of powerful and portable laptops. Currently, the Snapdragon X Elite is available on the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, HP Omnibook X, Asus Vivobook S 15, Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 16, Dell XPS 13, and Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 14.