When we think of Snapdragon, smartphones and tablets usually come to mind. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series has been a stalwart in the mobile device industry for years. But if you’ve recently noticed your laptop indicating a Snapdragon processor, you might be confused – but it’s actually along those same lines. For years the only options in laptops were Intel and AMD based solutions. Now with Qualcomm in the fold, there’s a 3rd major player.
But is the Snapdragon any good? A lot of the early release reviews were: NO. It’s too slow. It doesn’t compare to Intel, AMD, etc. But we think that, given some time, not only will Qualcomm carve out its niche in the market (especially geared toward smaller, thin profile laptops where heat is an issue) but they could also emerge as a major player. Let’s look into it.
Snapdragon in Laptops: A New Trend
Over the past few years, there has been a shift towards more versatile, always-connected laptops. Qualcomm entered this space with its Snapdragon processors, aiming to merge the best features of smartphones and traditional laptops.
Snapdragon has always been known for powering smartphones and tablets. But recently they’ve gone into the Windows laptop domain. There’s advertisements all over and notably Lenovo with their Thinkpad x13 line and Dell with the Inspiron 14 have been pushing these chips out into the lower-end to mid-range markets.
Why Would a Laptop Feature a Snapdragon Processor?
- Always-Connected PC (ACPC) Movement: Qualcomm, alongside Microsoft, initiated the ACPC initiative. Laptops under this banner offer instant boot times, always-on capabilities, and integrated LTE connectivity, much like smartphones.
- Extended Battery Life: One of Snapdragon’s main selling points in the mobile world is energy efficiency. This advantage translates into laptops, offering extended battery life—some models claim up to 20+ hours on a single charge.
- Integrated LTE: Many Snapdragon-powered laptops come with built-in LTE, allowing users to stay connected without relying on Wi-Fi. This is a boon for professionals and users always on the move.
- Fanless Design: Snapdragon chips are designed to be efficient and produce less heat, leading to fanless laptop designs, ensuring quieter operation.
- Compact and Lightweight: The architecture of Snapdragon chips allows for slimmer and more lightweight laptop designs, enhancing portability.
Understanding Potential Limitations
While Snapdragon laptops offer various advantages, there are potential limitations:
- Performance: Traditional x86 processors, like Intel’s Core series or AMD’s Ryzen, generally outperform Snapdragon in raw computing tasks. While Snapdragon laptops handle basic tasks and multitasking efficiently, they might lag behind in resource-intensive applications.
- Software Compatibility: Snapdragon uses ARM architecture, different from traditional x86 CPUs. While Windows on ARM has made significant strides, some software might not be natively compatible, requiring emulation, which can impact performance.
Should You Opt for a Snapdragon Laptop?
The decision boils down to your computing needs:
- Mobility and Connectivity: If you prioritize a lightweight laptop with long battery life and constant connectivity, Snapdragon is a viable option.
- Performance Needs: For tasks like intensive video editing, gaming, or heavy-duty programming, traditional laptop CPUs might be more appropriate.
App Compatibility: A Major Concern
One of the first questions potential users have is about app compatibility. Do Snapdragon based laptops support Chrome, Microsoft 365 apps, or Edge? And what about other essential apps such as Teams, Zoom, or third-party VPN clients? While the integration of native apps is a promising step forward, the real merit lies in its day-to-day performance in the corporate setting.
Battery and 5G Connectivity
A significant advantage of the Snapdragon laptop is its battery life coupled with 5G connectivity. For users constantly on the move, these features might prove to be a game-changer. However, a laptop’s value is truly realized when it can handle all office-related tasks efficiently. Concerns about the product being a “version one” or basically new to the market and potentially buggy remain.
Early Buzz? Mixed.
The tech community’s perspective on Snapdragon-powered laptops is all over the place. Some users are wary, stating that the technology isn’t ready for daily Windows use due to limitations. Others are optimistic, sharing that Windows on ARM is progressing, and the future seems promising.
Yet, many are still hesitant to make a significant investment in ARM for Windows. Why not just go with Apple’s M1/M2/M3 chips, which are leading in the thin, light, and fast category. Intel also not lagging behind and coming out with its solid 12th, 13th, and 14th generation mobile processors. AMD is also heavily in the fold. There’s so much competition – so why do we need Snapdragon? Well, competition is always better for the consumer. And Qualcomm can definitely bring new ideas (especially in the way of mobility and connectivity) to the fold. We like this change and think it will help consumers get better products.
What is Qualcomm’s Strategy?
Qualcomm’s strategy in the laptop sector is under scrutiny. Why are ARM laptops currently based on the older Snapdragon 8cx with less impressive single-core performance? Why hasn’t Qualcomm incorporated Cortex-X2s in their new computer CPU? The technological decisions and incremental upgrades, from Snapdragon 8cx Gen 1 to Gen 2 to Gen 3 and now Gen 4, have raised eyebrows.
The future might see Qualcomm introducing the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 or Gen 4 with better specifications, but it is crucial to understand the current market dynamics. One possible explanation is that Qualcomm’s laptop CPUs lag because of the company’s primary focus on smartphone chips. Until demand for ARM laptops rises significantly, the industry might not witness a substantial change.
Then again, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see Qualcomm just shutter this project as well and stick with the smartphone/tablet market that they do so well in. Their foray into laptop processing could just be a trial that either fails or succeeds and doesn’t really move the needle for them.
Conclusion
The emergence of Snapdragon in the laptop domain marks a shift towards a more mobile-centric computing paradigm. These laptops merge the boundaries between our smartphones and PCs, offering a unique blend of features. While they might not replace traditional laptops entirely, for users with specific needs, they present an attractive proposition.
Snapdragon-powered laptops bring promises of improved battery life and 5G connectivity. However, with concerns about app compatibility, performance, and limited reviews, users tread cautiously. As technology evolves and the market matures, it will be intriguing to see how Snapdragon chips redefine the Windows laptop experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I run traditional Windows software on a Snapdragon laptop?
- Many traditional applications run on Snapdragon laptops, either natively or through emulation. However, performance can vary.
- Are Snapdragon laptops more expensive?
- Pricing varies based on features and brands. Some Snapdragon laptops are competitively priced, while high-end models can be on the pricier side.
- Do Snapdragon laptops support Windows updates?
- Yes, Snapdragon laptops running Windows on ARM receive regular updates, just like any other Windows device.
- Can I play games on a Snapdragon laptop?
- Casual gaming is feasible, but for AAA titles or resource-intensive games, traditional gaming laptops are more suitable.
- Are there other brands, besides Qualcomm, producing ARM-based laptop processors?
- Yes, Apple’s M1 chip, used in their latest MacBooks, is another example of ARM-based processors in laptops, signaling a growing trend in the industry.
Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.
