Qualcomm Targets Ultra-Affordable $600 Laptop Market with 8-Core Snapdragon X Featuring Advanced NPU

Qualcomm is making a strategic move in the ARM-based market with the introduction of the Snapdragon X chipset, unveiled at the CES 2025 trade show. While previous models like the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus catered to premium notebooks, priced at a higher tier, the Snapdragon X aims to offer a budget-friendly alternative for machines starting at $600. This initiative aligns with Qualcomm’s goal of partnering with various OEMs to expand its affordable offerings, a plan that has been in the pipeline since last year.

Innovative Specifications of the Snapdragon X Chipset

The Snapdragon X distinguishes itself from its predecessors primarily through its core configuration. It features an 8-core setup, comprising four performance cores and four efficiency cores, clocked at a peak speed of 3.00GHz. Notably, Qualcomm has not disclosed a boost clock speed, which suggests that this limitation might impact both single-core and multi-core performance levels.

Equipped with an Adreno GPU, the Snapdragon X achieves a maximum performance of 1.7 TFLOPS, similar to the lower-end Snapdragon X Plus variant. However, when considering on-device AI functionality, the Snapdragon X excels, featuring a Hexagon NPU with an impressive 45 TOPS. This chipset supports high-speed LPDDR5X RAM, accommodating up to 64GB, and can be integrated with a PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD, enabling substantial bandwidth. Notably, it can support up to three 4K 60Hz external monitors, making it a versatile option for diverse computing needs.

Furthermore, the Snapdragon X incorporates robust connectivity features with the Snapdragon X65 5G modem and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities. Utilizing TSMC’s advanced 4nm ‘N4P’ manufacturing process, the new silicon achieves exceptional performance per watt, enhancing battery life for notebooks integrated with this SoC.

There’s significant anticipation around affordable laptops featuring the Snapdragon X. For example, the 2-in-1 Lenovo Ideapad 5x, powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, is available on Amazon for $659, hinting that future devices utilizing the Snapdragon X could be priced as low as $550. While Qualcomm is successfully addressing price challenges, achieving app compatibility remains a crucial hurdle—an area where Apple made significant progress with its M1 Macs.

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