Qualcomm’s Latest Snapdragon X Revolutionizes the $600 Laptop Market

At the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas, Qualcomm has unveiled its latest technological marvel—the Snapdragon X chip. This newest addition marks the fourth release in the Snapdragon X Series, aiming to revolutionize Windows on Arm PCs for a wide range of users, including students, freelancers, and those keeping an eye on their budget. The lineup is designed to start at a wallet-friendly price of $600 for laptops.

The Snapdragon X (model X1-26-100) is an evolution of the Snapdragon X Plus design. It carries the same 8-core architecture but operates at a slightly reduced maximum of 3.0 GHz for its CPU, without any speed boost options, and its GPU delivers 1.7 TFLOPS of power. In contrast, the Snapdragon X Plus processors offer clock speeds between 3.2 and 3.4 GHz, with some models even boosting to a swift 4.0 GHz, and GPUs ranging up to 3.8 TFLOPS.

Yet, this new chip does not compromise on its neural processing capabilities. It includes a robust 45 TOPS neural processing unit (NPU), positioning it as a comprehensive Copilot+ PC and AI PC, equipped to handle advanced AI tasks effortlessly.

Reflecting back on the earlier announcement of the Snapdragon X Elite chip, I remember noting its versatility—it’s not confined to a single processor. Qualcomm’s strategy to allow scalability through core count and clock speed variation is on full display at CES 2025. This approach is quite savvy, especially considering the historical performance struggles in sub-$800 Windows laptops dominated by lackluster Intel and AMD offerings.

Besides its 8-core and 3.0 GHz CPU setup, the Snapdragon X boasts a suite of premium features uncommon in lower-cost laptops. These include optional 5G connectivity, cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7, fast 8448 MT/s LPDDR5x RAM, a “Sensing Hub” for detecting human presence, USB4 (40Gbps), and Bluetooth 5.4.

So how does the new Snapdragon X line up against its siblings in the Snapdragon X Series? The Snapdragon X Plus models cover a wide spectrum with configurations from 8 to 10 cores and a variety of performance boosts. The fresh Snapdragon X variant stands out with its 8 cores, restrained clock speed, and no burst capability, while its GPU parallels the lower-tier of Snapdragon X Plus.

After getting some hands-on time with this chip, running Windows 11 was a noticeably smooth experience, definitely a leap forward compared to some of Intel’s older budget processors.

When it comes to a showdown with Intel, Snapdragon X seems poised to hold its ground. Although I have yet to complete my benchmarks, Qualcomm benchmarks suggest a significant power-to-performance advantage. Comparing the Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) to Intel’s nascent 2024 Core 5 120U processor (10 cores, up to 5GHz), Qualcomm reports their chip is twice as powerful while consuming half as much power.

In multiple tests, including the widely-used Geekbench 6.2, Qualcomm’s claims are striking: their chip outpaces Intel’s in single-core and multi-core scenarios while being far more energy-efficient. In graphical processing prowess, the Snapdragon X’s GPU performance is said to outshine Intel’s by over threefold, maintaining superior energy efficiency.

The Snapdragon X’s 45 TOPS NPU brings a significant advantage, as neither the Intel nor the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U processors in the same class offer any NPU capabilities. This edge manifests across common applications and tasks, where Qualcomm highlights noticeable improvements in performance-per-watt metrics, particularly in Google Chrome and Microsoft Office environments.

The Snapdragon X’s debut is particularly compelling because it overhauls the expectations for laptops in the popular $600 to $800 segment—a category that accounts for a considerable share of the market. With the promise of better battery life and quieter operation, Qualcomm’s latest chip could reinvigorate this segment and stimulate tougher competition among chipmakers, all to the benefit of consumers seeking better performing devices without hefty price tags.

PC powerhouses like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo have all committed to integrating the Snapdragon X Series into their future product lines. While specific announcements from CES 2025 are still pending, Qualcomm asserts that over 60 designs featuring the Snapdragon X Series are in the pipeline, climbing to over 100 by 2026.

This chip is built for a broad audience—students, freelancers, and budget-conscious consumers are considered primary beneficiaries. With the availability of Snapdragon X laptops, starting in January 2025, users won’t have to wait long to get their hands on one.

One question remains: could Microsoft feature Snapdragon X in its upcoming Surface Go line? While there’s no confirmation yet, this chip would provide a huge performance boost and might be an appealing option for Microsoft’s next budget-friendly models.

Additionally, manufacturers have flexibility in cooling designs; Snapdragon X supports various cooling solutions, from fan-assisted to fanless, enabling diverse device profiles.

As we continue exploring this exciting development at CES 2025, stay tuned for more insights from Qualcomm and hands-on reviews of devices harnessing the Snapdragon X’s potential.