Qualcomm has announced a new addition to its portfolio of ARM-based chips for Windows laptops – the Snapdragon X Plus. Building upon the flagship Snapdragon X Elite, the X Plus promises many of the same powerful performance gains but at a lower price point to bring efficient and powerful ARM computing to even more Windows users.
With a 10-core Oryon CPU architecture and advanced AI processing, the Snapdragon X Plus has the potential to supercharge a new generation of affordable Windows laptops.
All Details About Monster
While full details and benchmarks are still to come, Qualcomm claims the Snapdragon X Plus delivers up to 37% faster CPU performance than competing solutions. This is thanks to the custom Oryon cores which provide significant gains in both single and multi-threaded workloads.
Qualcomm also notes power efficiency improvements, with the Snapdragon X Plus able to achieve the same tasks as rival laptop chips while consuming over 50% less power. This extended battery life and passive cooling will be a huge advantage for Windows users on the go.
Impressive Performance To Rival Apple Silicon
Early benchmark results show the Snapdragon X Plus managing a score around 10% higher than Apple’s M3 chip in multi-core CPU tests. This positions Qualcomm’s solution as a serious competitor to the performance crown currently held by Apple Silicon.
With its ARM architecture, the Snapdragon X Plus also enables improved emulation of x86 apps and easier porting of mobile apps to Windows. This broad software compatibility combined with high-performance and efficiency will make ARM-powered Windows devices running the Snapdragon X Plus very appealing for both consumers and commercial customers.
Which Laptops Use Snapdragon X Plus?
While specific laptop models were not announced, Qualcomm states the Snapdragon X Plus will arrive in mid-2024 notebooks from its OEM partners. This lines up with expected new Windows devices from top PC makers.
The promise of the Snapdragon X Plus chip is powerful and efficient Windows computing in a more affordable package – bringing the benefits of ARM to many more users. Its performance credentials also raise the bar for future Intel and AMD chips facing competition from this new wave of ARM-powered Windows laptops.
