“`html
The Arrival of ARM Windows Notebooks: Snapdragon X Elite and Plus in Review
Since the start of the week, the tech community has seen the arrival of the first ARM Windows notebooks powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, marking a significant milestone in laptop engineering. Unlike the norm, where press members get an early peek at new releases, this launch was shrouded in secrecy, right up until its announcement on May 20th, turning the unveiling into a whirlwind event that left many scrambling to catch up.
The rush to market, seemingly to outpace competitors with fresh AI capabilities before similar announcements could be made by other giants like Apple, has not been without its hiccups. The latest Windows 11 update, version 24H2, was specifically tailored to these new ARM devices but faced delays and changes right up to its release, illustrating the scramble to deliver on promises made.
Our testing began as soon as we got our hands on the first wave of devices: the Asus Vivobook S 15, and all three of Microsoft’s latest offerings, including the Surface Laptop 7 in both 13.8″ and 15″ variants, alongside the Surface Pro 11 with its stunning OLED display. Lenovo and Samsung’s contenders are expected to join the fray shortly, with others from Dell, HP, and Acer not far behind.
Upon unboxing, the devices required immediate updates, a process not without its frustrations, particularly for Asus models. However, once updated, the laptops have exhibited stability and performance that seem to have left the teething problems of past Snapdragon devices behind. It’s noteworthy that for optimal use of certain new features, like the Co-creator AI in Paint, an online setup with a Microsoft account is necessary.
Our preliminary tests focused on traditional benchmarks, with special attention to the Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors’ performance. The Asus Vivobook, despite carrying the less powerful Snapdragon X Elite, impressed with its high benchmark scores, a testament to Asus’s decision to run the CPU at a robust 35 watts. The Microsoft devices, on the other hand, opted for a quieter, albeit slightly less powerful, approach reminiscent of Apple’s fan-less design, prioritizing minimal noise over maximum power output.
Battery life claims by Qualcomm suggest multiple days of use, a bold statement yet to be fully tested. Initial impressions indicate these devices are certainly capable of handling a day’s work on a single charge, especially if OLED models leverage dark mode for efficiency. Details on exact figures and how they compare to non-OLED models will follow as more thorough testing is completed.
Wi-Fi 7 compatibility tests are in the pipeline, along with a deeper dive into the new AI tools and the efficiency of app emulation for those not natively supporting ARM architecture. Peripheral connectivity and driver availability will also be crucial areas of investigation, given the unique challenges posed by ARM’s architecture.
As we continue to explore these devices, the choice of manufacturers in balancing power, noise, and battery life will be a focal point. With Lenovo and Samsung yet to reveal their hand, the landscape of ARM-powered Windows notebooks is only beginning to take shape.
Looking ahead, the market is set to expand further with Qualcomm promising mid-range devices equipped with potent AI accelerators, aiming to bring Copilot+ features to a broader audience at price points under 1000 euros. As the year progresses, it will be fascinating to see how these advancements redefine what we expect from our portable computing devices.
“`
