Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon X Elite processor scores partnerships from more leading laptop OEMs

Windows on Arm could finally get its time in the sun if Qualcomm’s freshly revealed Snapdragon X Elite processor indeed delivers the promised performance boost. However, this will not happen before mid-2024, and some analysts immediately pointed out that such a paper launch is not doing Qualcomm any favors, when AMD and Intel are also preparing to launch improved x86 mobile processors with integrated AI throughout 2024. But competition is always welcome if it creates new price tiers that benefit the end-user. Moreover, the bold performance superiority claims over Intel’s current Intel Raptor Lake and AMD Phoenix seem to have been enough to convince most of the biggest laptop OEMs to consider future Windows on Arm lineups.

Previously, we have seen Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops only from Lenovo, Microsoft Surface and HP. The new Snapdragon X Elite processor with its impressive performance is now luring even more laptop OEMs, including Acer, Asus, Dell, Samsung and Xiaomi. Former Huawei sub-brand Honor is also joining the roster, although its future Windows on Arm laptops might see limited availability outside of China, at least at launch.

As reported by PCWorld, none of the laptop “partners” announced by Qualcomm during the annual summit are overtly committing to a lineup powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor. Samsung, for instance, is expecting to ship Windows on Arm laptops by mid-2025, a full year after the official release of the Snapdragon X Elite. Perhaps some OEMs are more inclined to wait and see what Nvidia and AMD can bring to the Windows on Arm space in 2025.

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