Qualcomm is set to expand its ARM-based Windows notebook offerings with a more affordable option. The company plans to introduce an 8-core version of its Snapdragon X Plus processor at the upcoming IFA 2024 trade show in Berlin.
A New Budget Contender
The new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus aims to address concerns about the high prices of current ARM-based Windows laptops. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon will lead a press conference on September 4th to unveil this latest addition to the Snapdragon lineup.
Key features of the 8-core Snapdragon X Plus include:
- 4nm manufacturing process
- Up to 3.4GHz single-core and 3.2GHz multi-core clock speeds
- Adreno GPU with 1.7 TFLOPS performance
- 30MB total cache
- LPDDR5X RAM support
- Qualcomm Hexagon NPU with 45 TOPS AI performance
- Wi-Fi 7 and 5G connectivity
- Support for up to three external 4K 60Hz displays
 |
|---|
| A comparison table showcasing key specifications of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Series processors, including the new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus features highlighted in the announcement |
Targeting the Sub-$800 Market
Perhaps most importantly, Qualcomm is positioning this chip to power laptops starting at just $800. This aggressive pricing strategy could help increase adoption of ARM-based Windows notebooks across various markets.
The 8-core design, likely featuring four performance and four efficiency cores, may offer improved battery life compared to its 10-core sibling. However, multi-core performance will likely see a reduction.
Balancing Performance and Affordability
While the new chip's specifications are scaled back compared to the higher-end Snapdragon X Elite and 10-core X Plus variants, it should still provide sufficient power for mainstream computing tasks. The focus appears to be on striking a balance between performance and affordability.
It remains to be seen how OEMs will configure laptops around this new chip. If $800 models come standard with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs, it could present a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious consumers.
As the IFA 2024 announcement approaches, tech enthusiasts and potential buyers will be eager to see how this more affordable Snapdragon X Plus performs in real-world scenarios and how it stacks up against both x86 and Apple Silicon competitors in its price range.