Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite will make Windows 11 laptops exciting again

Qualcomm has brought excitement to the stagnant Windows 11 notebook market with today’s announcement of the new ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite platform at the Snapdragon Summit. This new platform, equipped with the custom-designed Qualcomm Oryon CPU, is poised to set a new benchmark in mobile computing by offering up to double the CPU performance of its competitors at a fraction of the power.

At the heart of Snapdragon X Elite is its custom integrated Qualcomm Oryon CPU. The platform not only matches the peak performance of competitors but achieves this feat with just one-third of the power.

The Snapdragon X Elite isn’t just about raw performance; it’s a testament to Qualcomm’s continued focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The platform is capable of executing generative AI models with over 13 billion parameters on-device, which is a noteworthy achievement. This capability underscores a whopping 4.5 times faster AI processing power than what the competitors offer.

Come mid-2024, consumers can expect PCs powered by the Snapdragon X Elite from leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). These PCs are anticipated to redefine what premium computing entails, with a promise of multiple days of battery life while delivering on-demand high performance.

“Snapdragon X Elite represents a dramatic leap in innovation for computing as we deliver our new, custom Qualcomm Oryon CPU for super-charged performance that will delight consumers with incredible power efficiency and take their creativity and productivity to the next level. Powerful on-device AI experiences will enable seamless multitasking and new intuitive user experiences, empowering consumers and businesses alike to create and accomplish more,” explains Kedar Kondap, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm.

Pavan Davaluri, Corporate Vice President, Windows and Devices, Microsoft adds, “Microsoft and Qualcomm Technologies have a long history together, and that collaboration has only become stronger over the years. We are building Windows to be the destination for the best AI experiences, and powerful NPUs, like the ones we’re creating, work with our Windows 11 AI ecosystem to change the way people experience AI for the better. As we look forward to the future with Snapdragon X Elite and Windows 11, we will deliver faster and better performance, and emulation will get more efficient.”

A closer look at the Snapdragon X Elite reveals a game-changing 4nm System-on-a-Chip architecture. It harbors a best-in-class 12-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU, an industry-leading Qualcomm AI Engine, and an integrated Qualcomm Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU), all tuned to optimize demanding workloads while ensuring power efficiency.

The platform doesn’t shy away from delivering mesmerizing graphics either, thanks to the premium integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU. With the Qualcomm Sensing Hub, Snapdragon X Elite takes security and user experience to a new level. The hub facilitates enhanced login experiences and ensures that sensitive data remains on your laptop, providing a robust security framework from chip to cloud.

The connectivity suite of Snapdragon X Elite is equally impressive, offering lightning-fast 5G and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, ensuring that users stay connected wherever they are. The Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite promises an immersive audio experience, making this platform a comprehensive package of performance, connectivity, and entertainment.

Fingers crossed, 2024 may finally be the year of Windows on ARM. Apple has fully transitioned to ARM with macOS, while Windows 11 on ARM has been disappointing. Consumers have largely avoided ARM-powered Windows laptops due to poor performance. Snapdragon X Elite could cause things to change.