AI Chip Powers Copilot+ Machines

With advanced CPU and GPU capabilities and dedicated AI acceleration, this aims to make powerful computing more accessible.

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced the fourth entry in its Snapdragon X series of system-on-chips (SoCs), named simply “Snapdragon X.” Designed to power artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled laptops and compact desktops, the Snapdragon X aims to deliver high performance at a lower cost, with prices starting as low as $600.

The key features include:

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• CPU: 8x 64-bit Arm-based Qualcomm Oryon cores, up to 2.976GHz
• GPU: Adreno, 1.7 TFLOPS (tera-floating point operations per second)
• NPU: Hexagon, 45 TOPS (tera-operations per second) at minimum precision
• Qualcomm Sensing Hub: Includes two micro-NPUs for always-on image signal processing

Qualcomm claims the Snapdragon X is over twice as fast as Intel’s Core i5-1280U in single-core performance, with additional machine learning and AI capabilities that meet the requirements for Microsoft’s Copilot+ program. The SoC is expected to power Windows 11 laptops and mini desktops in the $600 price range from manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell Technologies, HP, and Lenovo.

The Snapdragon X promises a blend of efficiency, intelligence, and affordability, making advanced AI-driven computing more accessible. Qualcomm has also announced plans to showcase a “mini desktop PC” powered by the Snapdragon X at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Further details about the chip and its applications can be found on Qualcomm’s website.

“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, Qualcomm’s general manager of the expanded SoC lineup. “Our ecosystem of partners continues to build on Snapdragon to deliver innovative form factors and premium AI experiences, enabling everyday PC users who need a laptop that keeps up with their busy lives.”