Snapdragon processors Archives

Winsage

February 14, 2025

This Surface Laptop 7 with Snapdragon is “basically perfect,” and it’s almost half the price of the Surface Laptop 7 with Intel

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 is currently priced at 9.99, reflecting a 0 reduction from its standard retail price due to President's Day sales. It features a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The laptop has received a perfect score in reviews for its design, keyboard, display, and performance. It has undergone a design refresh that allows for easier repairs, with replaceable components available for purchase from Microsoft. The Snapdragon processors provide exceptional battery life and performance, making the Surface Laptop 7 a cost-effective choice compared to the entry-level Intel variant, which retails at ,499.99.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

This Microsoft app is the latest to get infused with Copilot

Copilot+ PCs currently lack a standout feature to differentiate them from competitors. Microsoft is enhancing Copilot+ PCs with innovative features. A new Copilot menu in Paint will consolidate all AI tools into one interface, including the DALL-E-powered Cocreator, which will remain exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. Additionally, Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon can now use AI for content searches within File Explorer, with plans to extend this feature to Intel and AMD devices. This improved search allows users to find content using natural language queries.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Final Windows 11 Dev Channel build of 2024 adds support for live captions and real-time translation to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs

Windows 11 Build 26120.2705 introduces real-time translation and live captions for Copilot+ PCs powered by AMD and Intel processors, expanding features previously exclusive to Qualcomm Snapdragon devices. Users can access these functionalities by installing the latest build and ensuring their drivers are updated through Windows Update. The live captions feature translates over 44 languages into English, enhancing communication during video calls and streamed content. Additionally, real-time translation support for Snapdragon-powered PCs now includes Chinese (Simplified), with an expanded range of supported languages.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Microsoft Expands Access to Windows Recall AI Feature

Microsoft has expanded its Windows Recall feature to Copilot+ PCs with AMD and Intel chipsets, following its initial availability on Snapdragon devices. The feature is currently in a preview stage for Windows Insiders and allows users to capture and revisit specific snapshots of their work. Microsoft has implemented privacy and security measures, including data encryption, turning Recall off by default, and requiring Windows Hello biometrics for recording sessions. Recall is also part of Microsoft's bug bounty program to address security vulnerabilities. The rollout was delayed from June to October and then to November before being launched in a limited capacity.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft continues to mess up Windows 11 Recall, failing to provide fix for weird bug that breaks the feature

Some users in the Windows 11 testing program have experienced significant issues with the Recall feature, which is intended to enhance user experience through AI-driven search capabilities. Microsoft has identified a bug related to the optional update KB5046740, which interferes with Recall's functionality when installed before Dev build 26120.2415. This bug prevents Recall from saving snapshots necessary for its advanced search features. Microsoft has advised against installing the preview update before joining the Dev channel and has not provided a clear resolution for those affected, leaving them with limited options, such as reinstalling Windows 11. Recall is currently designed for Copilot+ PCs powered by Arm-based Snapdragon processors, narrowing the number of potential testers.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft doubles down, still won’t let older PCs run Windows 11

The TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 requirement for Windows 11 is a mandatory standard set by Microsoft, which does not support older PCs lacking these security chips. Users have limited options: purchase a new PC, continue using Windows 10 without support, or switch to Linux. Microsoft emphasizes that TPM 2.0 is essential for modern security and encryption tools. Most new laptops and desktops now come with TPM 2.0 compliant processors, including Arm-based devices. There is skepticism about the transition to Windows 11, as users have faced challenges upgrading older machines. The push for TPM 2.0 is partly driven by increased security threats, including those related to cryptocurrency. This announcement reaffirms Microsoft's previous stance on the necessity of TPM 2.0 for future Windows versions.

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

November 27, 2024

Don’t be misled by retailers this Black Friday: Double-check for these AI specs on any Windows 11 Copilot+ PC

Consumers should be cautious when shopping for laptops during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as retailers may use misleading marketing terms. For example, HP's entry-level devices labeled with the "Copilot" logo may confuse buyers into thinking they are purchasing a "Copilot+ PC." Similarly, Office Depot's "Cloud Enabled AI" designation for entry-level laptops can be ambiguous since any Windows 10 or 11 device can access AI services online. A laptop with a low-end Intel Pentium processor and 4GB of RAM is marketed as "Cloud Enabled AI," which could mislead consumers seeking a Copilot+ PC. To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, specific hardware configurations are required: a processor with a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus or Elite chips, or AMD and Intel processors with NPUs. The NPU should offer 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) or more. Additional requirements include a minimum of 16GB of RAM, at least 256GB of Solid-State Drive (SSD) storage (preferably NVMe), Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, Secure Boot, and BitLocker encryption enabled.

BetaBeacon

November 18, 2024

One UI on Galaxy S25 could offer smoother gameplay with this game mode addition

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series is rumored to feature a new game mode with frame interpolation technology that can boost visuals from 60Hz to 120Hz, providing a smoother gaming experience. Samsung's implementation of this technology aims to enhance gaming performance without compromising battery life or causing overheating. This feature is expected to debut on Galaxy S25 models powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, potentially setting a new standard for mobile gaming on Samsung devices.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Microsoft finally releases Windows 11 on Arm ISO

Microsoft has released ISO images of Windows 11 for Arm architecture, specifically for the current version, Windows 11 24H2. This release simplifies access to Windows on Arm, allowing users to create bootable installations. Devices with Snapdragon X Series processors can operate without additional drivers, while earlier Snapdragon generations will require driver injection to avoid boot failures. Users can also set up virtual machines using the ISO, but it does not support native Windows operation on Apple Silicon. The release aims to bolster the appeal of Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs and enhance support for the Arm ecosystem.