Qualcomm is expanding its Snapdragon X processor lineup for Windows laptops with a new entry-level chip aimed at the sub-$700 market. This move promises to bring the benefits of Snapdragon X technology, such as extended battery life and AI capabilities, to a wider audience.
Key Features and Benefits
- Days-long battery life, a significant advantage over traditional laptop chips.
- Integrates the same Neural Processing Unit (NPU) found in higher-end models, enabling AI features and power efficiency.
- Supports Copilot+ PC branding, requiring minimum specs like 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 256GB of SSD storage.
- Targets a more accessible price point below $700.
Pricing and Availability
Previously, Snapdragon X laptops started at over $1,200, limiting their accessibility. The introduction of "Plus" variants brought prices down to around $1,000, with further reductions to $849 for devices like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1. This new entry-level chip marks a significant step towards affordability.
While a release date is yet to be confirmed, CES 2025 in January is a likely candidate for the chip's debut. For related news on mobile processors, check out the Redmi K80 Pro.
While details on performance are limited, potential trade-offs to achieve the lower price point may include reduced CPU cores or slightly lower graphical performance. For insights into choosing the right processor for other devices, see Choosing the Right Mac Processor.
This development follows Qualcomm's strategy of expanding the Snapdragon X lineup to cater to various price segments. For more on affordable tech deals, explore Google Play's Black Friday Deals.