Snapdragon X

New Qualcomm chips make AI laptops more affordable

Chip manufacturer Qualcomm has unveiled cheaper versions of its Snapdragon X model series at IFA in Berlin. With the slimmed-down chip systems, PC manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and Samsung should be able to offer fully-fledged AI laptops ("Copilot+") below the 1,000 euro threshold.

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon presented four new processor systems that make do with fewer cores than the top models. The Snapdragon X Plus series has eight and ten cores respectively in the main processor. The graphics performance of the two eight-core systems has also been reduced in order to save costs. In terms of AI performance, however, the new chips should be on a par with the more expensive models (Snapdragon Elite).

Amon promised above-average battery life for the laptops with Snapdragon chips because the chips produce significantly less heat. As the fan starts up less frequently, the computers are also quieter in operation.

Intel under pressure
Qualcomm had recently contributed massively to chip pioneer Intel coming under increased pressure in the PC business. When Microsoft launched a new computer category called "Copilot+ PC" this summer, which is particularly geared towards AI applications, the devices initially only used Qualcomm chips.

Specific product announcements from Lenovo and other laptop manufacturers based on Qualcomm systems are expected at IFA. However, AI laptops will also be available with Intel chips.

Apple is operating outside the Windows camp. Years ago, the iPhone manufacturer switched from Intel processors for its Macs to chip systems developed in-house, which, like the Qualcomm systems, are based on the architecture of the British semiconductor designer ARM.