Qualcomm is rumored to be revealing a new variant of the Snapdragon X series chipset called the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 at the Berlin International Radio Exhibition in 2024. This new chipset is said to cater to the second wave of AI PCs, also known as Copilot+ PCs, providing a substantial 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Companies like Lenovo, Asus, and Acer have already expressed interest in this chipset, with Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 5 expected to be the first laptop to feature it. However, it’s important to note that Qualcomm has not officially confirmed the release of this new chipset.
Reports suggest that the new variant of the Snapdragon X series chipset will come with eight cores instead of the 10 or 12 cores seen in previous models. It is expected to have a maximum clock speed of 3.4GHz, but with weaker GPU benchmark scores compared to its predecessors. The Asus Vivobook S15 and the ProArt PZ13 are also anticipated to integrate this new chipset, along with the Acer Swift Go 14. While the performance numbers for this chipset sound impressive, it is crucial to wait for authentic benchmarks to determine its actual capabilities.
Lenovo is purportedly preparing to launch the initial Copilot+ PC with the new Snapdragon X series chipset, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, at the IFA 2024 event. This laptop has already been sighted on Amazon Germany’s website and boasts a 14-inch WUXGA OLED display, a sleek Grey color option, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, all supported by a 57Wh battery. The idea of having AI capabilities in laptops is intriguing, but the actual real-world performance and usability need to be assessed to determine if it’s a game-changer or just a gimmick.
Competition from Intel
While Qualcomm is making strides in the chipset market, Intel is not far behind with the impending release of its Lunar Lake chipset, which promises up to 67 TOPS of performance. The competition between Qualcomm and Intel will undoubtedly benefit consumers, as it will encourage innovation and drive down prices. As consumers, we should be cautiously optimistic about these advancements and wait for independent reviews before making purchasing decisions.
Mike Roberts, Vice President & Global Head of Product, Partner, and Technology Marketing at Qualcomm, emphasized the company’s focus on performance per watt as a key advantage. While performance is crucial, battery life plays a significant role in the overall user experience. Qualcomm’s emphasis on efficiency is commendable, but it remains to be seen if it can truly deliver on both performance and battery life in real-world scenarios. In a market inundated with technological advancements, maintaining market share will require continuous innovation and customer-centric strategies.
While Qualcomm’s announcement of a new Snapdragon X series chipset is intriguing, consumers should exercise caution and wait for concrete information before drawing conclusions about its performance and impact on the market. As technology enthusiasts, it is essential to stay informed, analyze data objectively, and make informed decisions when it comes to upgrading our devices.