laptop chips Archives

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Microsoft rolls Windows Recall out to the public nearly a year after announcing it

Microsoft is rolling out enhancements for Copilot+ PCs, including the Recall feature and a revamped Search function that understands contextual meanings for a more intuitive experience. The new "Click to Do" feature allows users to copy text from images, search on-screen content, and summarize or rewrite text by pressing the Windows key and clicking. To use Copilot+, PCs must have specific hardware requirements, including a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of over 40 trillion operations per second. Supported processors for Copilot+ include Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, Intel's Core Ultra 200V-series laptop chips, and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series. The Recall feature and enhanced Search are available for both Arm and x86 PCs, while some Click to Do features are exclusive to Arm systems.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

We need a Snapdragon X-powered gaming handheld sooner rather than later — How Qualcomm can challenge the Steam Deck

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips show potential for handheld gaming devices due to their impressive performance and battery efficiency. Testing of the Snapdragon X Plus on games like 7 Days To Die, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider revealed comparable performance to the Steam Deck, especially when using Auto SR, an AI-driven upscaling solution. However, Auto SR currently supports only 14 games and is limited to DX11 or DX12 titles. The installation of games from Xbox Game Pass and the Microsoft Store on Snapdragon devices is restricted, with the Xbox app lacking a Game Pass section. There is a significant opportunity for a Snapdragon-powered handheld device, similar to the impact of the Steam Deck, but the current market lacks urgency for such a product.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

Microsoft gets community note on Twitter for saying Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs are the fastest Windows devices — users strike back, saying Snapdragon CPUs can’t game and have “less computing power” than Intel and AMD chips

Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs, launched in May, are marketed as "the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever," but users on X have challenged this claim, noting that devices with Snapdragon processors do not perform as well as high-end Intel or AMD chipsets. Critics have pointed out limitations for gamers and the lack of essential AI functionalities. Microsoft aims to capture 50% of the Windows PC market within five years, but the Copilot+ category currently represents a small fraction of laptop sales, with compatible laptops accounting for less than 10% of total shipments. While Arm chips like Snapdragon offer impressive battery life, Intel and AMD have improved their battery performance significantly. The reliance on an Arm-based processor has led to compatibility issues with certain applications and gaming titles, and some anticipated AI features are unavailable due to privacy and security concerns. Copilot+ PCs may be suitable for basic productivity tasks and web-based applications, but Intel and AMD still excel in processing power and compatibility.

Winsage

September 4, 2024

Intel and AMD will be joining the Copilot+ PC family before the end of the year

Intel has announced its next generation of Core Ultra laptop chips, specifically the Intel Core Ultra 200V series, which will support the Microsoft Copilot+ feature. The availability of Copilot+ on Lunar Lake machines is set to begin in November 2024. AMD's Ryzen AI 300 laptops will also gain access to Copilot+ starting in the same month. First-generation Core Ultra laptops will not be compatible with Copilot+ due to insufficient NPU performance. Additionally, laptops using NVIDIA's 40 series GPUs are expected to support Copilot+, although specific timing for their integration has not been confirmed. The upcoming full rollout of Windows 11 24H2 aims to provide a more inclusive approach for existing users.