Windows on Snapdragon doesn't solve the underlying issue of Windows ARM

Lenovo recently launched its high-end Yoga C630 Windows convertible powered by the fancy Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 SoC. For about $940 USD, users can get an admittedly attractive chassis with SIM capabilities and tremendously longer battery life than most traditional Intel Core ix-powered Ultrabooks. Once you dive deeper into performance, however, half of the laptop begins to fall apart.

In our review of the Yoga C630 WOS Edition (Windows on Snapdragon), we transitioned the laptop out of its default Windows 10 S operating system to "proper" Windows 10 Pro. Core features like hardware acceleration remain intact for smooth 4K60 video playback on YouTube. Applications with full support for ARM like GeekBench 4, Microsoft Office, and Edge would also run without any issues.

Unfortunately, most Windows applications are optimized for x86 only and system performance drops like a lead balloon when attempting to run such programs. CineBench, PCMark, 3DMark, Super Pi, FurMark, and more would either run extremely slowly or not launch at all. It's a strange experience of extremes as performance would be buttery smooth one minute only to become like molasses the next minute depending on which applications are open. PCMark 10, for example, ranks the C630 WOS in the same ballpark as a significantly cheaper Celeron N3350 laptop because the program is not optimized for ARM.

The high dependence on program compatibility means this dichotomy in user experience will likely continue in the foreseeable future when using WOS. The benefits of ARM, such as longer battery life and improved standby features, have yet to outweigh the performance roadblocks when compared to a standard Windows laptop.

Qualcomm made a big deal about its WOS platform last year at Computex 2018 and so we're hopeful that the chipmaker won't let it die a slow death.

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