Snapdragon X Elite Archives

BetaBeacon

February 18, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dead Cells, Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, ELOH, more

- Today's roundup includes Android game and app deals, as well as launch day deals for the new Wear OS 5 OnePlus Watch 3. - There is a discount on the Galaxy S10+ and deals on Lenovo's Snapdragon X Plus IdeaPad 5x Copilot+ PC and the Surface Pro 11 Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PC. - Popular app deals include Dead Cells, Lovecraft's Untold Stories, ELOH, Sentinels of the Multiverse, and more.

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 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

February 13, 2025

This 5-star laptop is a “true battery champion” with 12 hours of screen time — it’s also only $799.99 right now.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is priced at 9.99 with a 10% discount. It features a 14.5-inch 3K OLED display and is recommended for its Snapdragon X Elite processor, which excels in everyday computing and AI tasks. The laptop includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Dolby Vision HDR support, earning a five-star rating. It has an impressive battery life of 14 hours and 14 minutes under standardized testing conditions, making it one of the top contenders in its category. However, it may require emulation for some applications, and certain niche software may not be compatible with its Snapdragon architecture. Alternatives like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i with an Intel chip may be better for users with specific application needs.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: PARANORMASIGHT, Suzy Cube, Dragon Castle, more

Discounts on Android games and applications are available, with significant price reductions on the Pixel handset lineup, including up to 0 off the latest series 9 models. The unlocked Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 0 discount. Lenovo's Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PC is also discounted by 0. Featured app deals include PARANORMASIGHT, Suzy Cube, Dragon Castle, and freebie icon packs.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Surface Laptop 7 Intel vs. Qualcomm: Which Copilot+ PC is better for you?

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 features two variants: one powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chipset and the other by Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) chipset. The Qualcomm model starts at 9 for the 13.8-inch version and ,299 for the 15-inch version, while the Intel variant starts at ,499 for the 13.8-inch model and is projected to be around ,799 for the 15-inch model. Both models offer up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, with identical display options of a 13.8-inch (2304 x 1536) 120Hz touchscreen and a 15-inch (2496 x 1664) 120Hz touchscreen. The Intel model has a USB-A 3.2 port, while the Qualcomm model has a USB-A 3.1 port. Battery life estimates suggest up to 22 hours of video playback for the Qualcomm model and up to 12 hours for the Intel model. Initial performance tests indicate that the Snapdragon X Elite has a multi-core score of 14,426, while Intel models are expected to score between 11,033 and 11,125. The Qualcomm model demonstrated a practical battery life of 15 hours and 44 minutes under web browsing conditions. Compatibility with Windows on Arm applications is improving, but notable gaps remain, such as the lack of a native Steam app. The Intel variant will be available starting February 18, 2025.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

I’ve been a Windows on Arm user for years — Snapdragon X Elite has changed everything

The author has been using Arm-based computers, specifically an M1 Mac Mini and a Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows two-in-one PC, and has found Apple's silicon consistently impressive while Microsoft's offerings have lagged. In April 2024, Microsoft introduced the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, enhancing the compatibility layer for applications on Windows on Arm through a new emulator called Prism, which matches the efficiency of Apple's Rosetta 2. Testing the Honor MagicBook 14 Art, powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, revealed significant improvements, including native support for previously struggling applications like Google Drive and ExpressVPN. The MagicBook features a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, offering seamless application launch and multitasking without the random freezes seen in earlier models. Its thermal performance is commendable, achieving around ten hours of usage in "Balanced" mode. The device also includes a Neural Processing Unit for enhanced AI capabilities. Compatibility advancements allow mainstream applications to run natively, and upcoming Windows updates promise to expand this further. The MagicBook 14 Art is priced at approximately ,750, featuring 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a detachable webcam for privacy. Despite the progress, the market for Snapdragon X computers remains niche, and Qualcomm's disputes with Arm could impact future sales.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft’s wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024

In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Windows Recall support for Intel & AMD PCs: Eligible PC List

Microsoft has introduced an AI feature called Recall for Windows PCs, enabling users to retrieve actions or searches by capturing and storing screenshots in an encrypted format. Users can search for specific content using keywords, but Recall will only be available to select Windows 11 PCs. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X SoCs, Recall now supports newer Intel and AMD CPUs with a 40 teraflops Neural Processing Unit (NPU). To use Recall, the system requirements include: - Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Insider Program (Canary or Dev channel) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - CPU with 8 logical processors - NPU with 40 teraflops - Windows Hello for sign-in security and device encryption activated. Compatible devices include: - Acer Swift 14 AI - ASUS Vivobook S 15 and ProArt PZ13 - Dell Latitude 7455, XPS 13, and Inspiron 14 - HP OmniBook X 14 - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s - Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC - Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Supported CPUs are: - AMD Ryzen AI 300 series - Intel Core Ultra 200V series - Snapdragon X Elite - Snapdragon X Plus More compatible systems and CPUs are expected by 2025.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

Windows Central Tech Awards 2024 — Ranking the top PCs, tools, accessories, and software innovations of the year

This year has seen significant advancements in consumer technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, highlighted by Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative in collaboration with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor, introducing fanless, battery-efficient laptops to the Windows ecosystem. AI companies like OpenAI have expanded their offerings, prompting competitors such as Google, xAI, and Facebook to enhance their products. New brands like XREAL have emerged, while established companies like ASUS have innovated with dual-screen laptops. Accessory manufacturers have also improved their products. The Windows Central Tech Awards for 2024 recognize standout devices and features across various categories, including Tech Innovator of the Year, Best Processor, Best Overall Laptop, Best Keyboard, Best Pre-Built Gaming PC, Best Mini PC, Best Gaming Laptop, Best Gaming Headset, Best Tech Accessory, Best Monitor, Best Gaming Input, Best Gaming Hardware, Best Desktop All-in-One, Best Budget Laptop, Best Business Laptop, Best Mobile App for Windows Users, Best Windows Feature, Best Mouse, and Best Windows PC App. Looking ahead to 2025, advancements in AI, robotics, cloud computing, and potential breakthroughs in 6G and quantum computing are anticipated, with Microsoft focusing on AI server technology acquisitions and developments in PC gaming handhelds and new Xbox hardware.