At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. made what could be a significant announcement with the introduction of the Snapdragon X Platform, the fourth platform in the Snapdragon X Series compute portfolio. This new addition is designed to deliver exceptional performance, multi-day battery life, and AI-enhanced Copilot+ PC experiences, all for the accessible price range of $600.
According to Qualcomm the Snapdragon X platform aims to bring AI PC leadership to a broader audience. Powered by an 8-core Qualcomm OryonTM CPU, this platform boasts up to 163% faster performance at the same power level compared to its competitors, who require 168% more power for the same performance, according to Qualcomm. Its built-in 45 TOPS NPU ensures efficient operation of Copilot+ PC experiences, while the integrated power-efficient GPU supports dynamic graphics for various tasks, from creating presentations to streaming content.
In a mulligan-like move, Qualcomm has reintroduced the world’s first mini desktop PCs powered by the Snapdragon X Series, redefining compact computing.
The reason I claim it’s a mulligan is because last year, Qualcomm attempted to release a developer kit PC powered by its Snapdragon X Elite chipset. However, the release faced significant delays and production issues, leading Qualcomm to eventually pull the plug on the project.
Despite initial excitement and high demand from developers eager to work with the new AI-enhanced features, the company struggled with supply chain problems and FCC compliance testing. This setback was a disappointment for many in the developer community who were looking forward to testing and developing software for Copilot+ PCs. These new form factors cater to the diverse needs of consumers, developers, and businesses who prefer portable yet powerful devices.
The Snapdragon X Series software ecosystem continues to grow, with over 50 NPU-powered AI experiences now available. The platform debuts the unique Moises Live app, exclusively designed for Snapdragon’s NPU, bringing advanced AI capabilities to a new tier of devices. Windows 11 on Snapdragon further enhances app performance, with support for more than 50 NPU-powered AI experiences, including popular VPNs, security apps, cloud storage apps, and new music production tools.
“The Snapdragon X Series portfolio offers the most powerful, intelligent, and power-efficient processors for Windows in their class, making Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon the ultimate choice for users who want a laptop that can do it all,” said Alex Katouzian, Group General Manager, Mobile, Compute, & XR (MCX), Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Qualcomm’s biggest fan in Microsoft added, “The introduction of Snapdragon X further reinforces a new wave of PC innovation and enables the latest technologies to be brought to a broader range of Copilot+ PCs.”
As Qualcomm continues to push the boundaries of technology, the Snapdragon X platform is set to continue to revolutionize the PC market by making advanced AI experiences more accessible and driving the next wave of technological advancements.
