alt text: Close-up of a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus powered laptop.
The first wave of Copilot+ laptops, powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X chips, has begun to arrive. Early reviews, though initially delayed, are now emerging, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of these Arm-based processors. Recent leaks suggest Qualcomm might have even more Snapdragon X variants in development, potentially bolstering the future of Copilot+ PCs.
Expanding the Snapdragon X Family
Initial reviews focused on laptops equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite, like the Asus Vivobook S 15. However, the Snapdragon X Elite itself encompasses several different chip models. Leaked Adreno GPU driver files hint at a broader lineup, potentially expanding from the currently known six models to ten, including three new “Plus” variants. Previously, only a single “Plus” chip was known.
Unveiling the Unreleased Models
alt text: A racing game displayed on the screen of a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite reference laptop.
According to VideoCardz, these unreleased models include the X Elite X1E-76-100, speculated to be a 12-core variant similar to other Elite chips. The “Plus” lineup also sees three additions: the X1P-62-100, X1P-42-100, and X1P-40-100. Detailed specifications remain elusive, but the “Plus” chips are anticipated to feature 10 cores instead of 12. Based on the naming conventions, the X1P-62-100 could be the second-highest performing 10-core option, while the X Elite X1E-76-100 might represent an entry-level 12-core configuration. While clock speeds remain a subject of speculation, the timeline for these chips’ appearance in actual laptops is currently unknown.
Challenges and Opportunities for Copilot+
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite competes with established players like AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel’s Lunar Lake in meeting Microsoft’s Copilot+ program requirements. A key challenge lies in the Arm-based architecture of Qualcomm’s chips, requiring a different instruction set and reliance on emulation for x86 compatibility. While emulation has shown promise, early reviews reveal performance struggles in certain applications, especially games. Microsoft is actively working to address these compatibility issues. Conversely, Snapdragon X chips offer compelling advantages in battery life and overall efficiency.
The Future of Snapdragon X
Whether these rumored Snapdragon X chips materialize remains to be seen. Their emergence could significantly impact the Copilot+ ecosystem, potentially offering a wider range of performance and price points for consumers. The continued development of Arm-based Windows laptops hinges on overcoming compatibility hurdles and delivering a compelling user experience.
