Microsoft

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Plus processor could make Windows laptops more affordable

This summer, Qualcomm introduced a range of Windows laptops starting at $999, but the new eight-core Snapdragon X Plus chips are set to lower prices by at least $100. The new chips will feature in models like the Asus Vivobook S 15 and Dell Inspiron 14, both priced at $899. The Asus model is already available at Best Buy.

Other manufacturers such as Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung are expected to release laptops with the Snapdragon X Plus soon. For instance, the Acer Swift Go 14 AI will be available for $999, and a 15-inch version of the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge will arrive in October.

While the Snapdragon X Plus shares many features with its higher-end 10-core and 12-core counterparts, it falls short in some areas, particularly in graphics performance. The new chip has significantly lower GPU power, offering less than half the graphical capabilities of the higher-end models. Though it maintains the same 45 TOPS of AI performance, it has 12MB less CPU cache.

Qualcomm’s benchmarks suggest that the eight-core chip is about 80% as effective as the 12-core model in CPU tasks and comparable to the 10-core version for productivity. However, graphics performance is notably reduced.

This price drop could be appealing for budget-conscious buyers. For example, the Asus Vivobook S 15, which originally cost $1,300 with a 12-core chip, is now available for $900 with the eight-core processor. It retains features like a 70 watt-hour battery and a 3K 120Hz OLED display but offers half the storage, at 512GB instead of 1TB.

However, ongoing sales could narrow the price differences. The 12-core Asus Vivobook S 15 is already available for around $1,100, and Dell’s 12-core Inspiron 14 Plus is priced at $899.

Additionally, Asus is launching the ProArt PZ13, a $1,099 creator laptop with similar specs to the Vivobook but with a detachable keyboard and stylus support. It’s also available at Best Buy.

Dell is releasing a Latitude 5455 with the Snapdragon X Plus, but pricing details are not yet available. Qualcomm has indicated that its laptops could drop to as low as $700 by 2025.

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