In a move to make AI-powered Windows laptops more accessible, Qualcomm is gearing up to unveil a new variant of its Snapdragon X Plus platform at the upcoming IFA 2024 trade show next month.
According to reliable leaker Evan Blass, this new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus chip will enable laptop manufacturers to offer Copilot Plus PCs at a starting price of just $800.
The cheapest Copilot Plus laptop available is Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7, that retails for $999. Snapdragon X Plus variant is expected to be more affordable and this should significantly expand the AI-enabled Windows machine market.
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Snapdragon X Plus
The Snapdragon X Plus platform, announced earlier this year, is Qualcomm’s latest offering in the laptop chip market. It features the company’s custom Oryon CPU cores, an Adreno GPU, and a dedicated Hexagon NPU for AI workloads.
The existing Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-64-100) variant has 10 CPU cores and a maximum frequency of 3.4GHz. It has been praised for its multi-threaded solid performance and AI capabilities, outperforming Apple’s M3 chip in certain benchmarks.
The upcoming 8-core Snapdragon X Plus variant is expected to maintain the same AI prowess as its 10-core sibling but with a lower price point. By reducing the core count, Qualcomm can offer a more affordable chip that still delivers impressive performance and AI features.
Impact on the Laptop Market
Introducing $800 Copilot Plus laptops could disrupt the mid-range laptop market, forcing competitors to offer similar AI features at competitive prices. It may also encourage more users to explore the potential of AI in their daily computing tasks.
However, it remains to be seen how the performance of this 8-core Snapdragon X Plus variant will compare to higher-end Intel and AMD offerings. Qualcomm must balance cost and performance to make a compelling case for its new chip.
Availability and OEM Partners
Qualcomm is expected to officially unveil the 8-core Snapdragon X Plus at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany.
The company has already secured partnerships with major OEMs like Microsoft, Lenovo, Dell, Asus, and HP to bring Copilot Plus laptops to market.