Snapdragon X platform Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Finally! Microsoft brings most Copilot+ AI features to AMD, Intel PCs

Microsoft has announced that all Copilot+ PCs, including those with AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra 200V processors, will now have access to AI-driven features, previously limited to Snapdragon devices. Features available include Live Captions, Cocreator, Restyle Image, and Image Creator, though some functionalities, like photo resizing, remain exclusive to Snapdragon-powered PCs. The Voice Access feature is currently limited to Snapdragon devices, with plans for AMD and Intel compatibility later this year. Upcoming features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, following the November 2024 update, and will be rolled out gradually via Windows controlled feature rollout. Users can access updates by navigating to Settings > Windows Update.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Windows 11 setup bypass blocked, smaller Surface Pro confirmed, and Amazon raises concerns over Xbox & Surface returns

Microsoft is expected to unveil a smaller Surface Pro powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform, aimed at competing with the iPad Pro, featuring a premium metal chassis and high-quality display, with pricing projected to start between 0 and 0. Additionally, Microsoft plans to introduce a smaller Surface Laptop. The company has blocked a bypass that allowed users to set up Windows 11 PCs without a Microsoft account, which has led to the emergence of a new method involving the command prompt during setup. Certain configurations of the Surface Laptop 7 and the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 have been flagged by Amazon as frequently returned items. Bill Gates has stated that AI will replace humans "for most things," while identifying coders, energy specialists, and biologists as professions likely to remain safe from automation.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Qualcomm’s next-gen ARM chip for Windows to add 50% more cores

Qualcomm is developing the Snapdragon X2 processor for Windows PCs, featuring up to 18 Oryon V3 cores and designated as SC8480XP. It will utilize a system-in-package (SiP) design, integrating RAM and flash storage to enhance data transfer speeds and energy efficiency. Potential configurations may include up to 48GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The Snapdragon X2 is expected to be a high-TDP variant, with thermal management innovations including an all-in-one liquid cooling solution. It is branded as “Snapdragon X2 Ultra Premium” and aims to compete with Intel, AMD, and Apple's M-series chips. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2 will incorporate the Oryon v3 CPU, following the Oryon v2, which offers a 30% performance boost and 57% increase in power efficiency. The Snapdragon X2 could impact the Windows on ARM ecosystem, although challenges with software compatibility and market adoption remain.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Low PC penetration, Windows 10 upgrade to fuel Snapdragon X growth in India: Qualcomm SVP

Low penetration of personal computers in India is around 10 percent. Qualcomm anticipates a significant shift in consumer mindset with the upgrade to Windows 10, which will end support in October 2025. The company has partnered with manufacturers like Asus, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Dell to introduce Snapdragon X platform-based PCs in India. Asus plans to launch its Snapdragon X-based Zenbook A14 and Vivobook 16 on March 10, priced at Rs 65,990 and Rs 99,990, respectively. Qualcomm held a 26 percent share of the Indian smartphone market in 2024, with its chipsets in one in three premium smartphones priced above Rs 25,000. The Snapdragon X platform is reported to deliver performance up to 163 percent faster than competitors while consuming 168 percent less power. Qualcomm has opened its first experience center in collaboration with Croma and plans to establish more stores to extend its reach into smaller towns across India.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Google is giving Windows on Arm some more love with a native Drive app

Google Drive for Desktop has introduced a beta version that supports Windows on Arm, optimized for Arm64 architecture. Users need a Windows 11 PC with an Arm processor and the WebView2 runtime from Microsoft to use the app. The beta version lacks the Outlook Meet plugin, which may be a drawback for some users. Google Drive is now the second major application optimized for Windows on Arm, following Google Chrome. The Quick Share app is compatible but runs through emulation, potentially causing performance issues. Users are advised to use the beta with non-essential data or ensure backups.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

This one Google app is finally here for Qualcomm Snapdragon Arm-based Windows 11 PCs

Google has announced Drive for Desktop ARM64 support, currently in open beta without the Outlook Meet plugin. The app is designed for Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors and mirrors the functionality of its x86-64 version. Users can download the setup package directly from Google. This release addresses compatibility issues for users of Qualcomm-based Windows laptops, as Google Drive was previously unable to function in compatibility or emulation mode. Microsoft has also released an ISO package for Windows 11 tailored for ARM64-based PCs, and Google plans to extend its Quick Share file-sharing app to Windows on ARM.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Snapdragon X finally brings MIDI 2.0 and native ASIO to Windows 11!

The Snapdragon X platform supports ASIO and MIDI 2.0, enhancing audio performance and reducing latency for musicians using Windows 11 on ARM64 systems. It enables seamless integration of older plug-ins with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Cubase, Nuendo, and Reaper, which have ARM64 preview versions available. Snapdragon X-based Co-Pilot PCs, starting at approximately €899, are designed for professional musicians and will feature native drivers developed by Microsoft in collaboration with Qualcomm and Yamaha, expected to be fully integrated by late 2025. Industry leaders Focusrite and Steinberg/Yamaha will launch optimized ARM64 drivers for their audio hardware in 2025. The native ASIO support allows for easier use of audio hardware and software, improving the workflow for musicians and producers on Windows systems, with future support planned for x64 systems as well.

Winsage

September 30, 2024

Acer Swift 14 AI redefines what’s possible from a Windows laptop with 24-hour battery life | Expert Reviews UK

The Acer Swift 14 AI is a compact laptop powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor with a 10-core configuration and an Adreno 741 GPU, offering commendable performance and impressive energy efficiency. It features a robust 75Wh battery, providing over 24 hours of battery life during video playback tests. The laptop is priced at £1,199 in the UK and comes with a 2.5K display, 1TB SSD, and 16GB of RAM. The design is understated with an aluminum chassis, weighing 1.24kg, and includes multiple ports such as two USB-C and two USB-A, along with Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7 support. The keyboard has a two-stage backlight, and the 1440p webcam excels in low-light conditions. The display has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 with a 120Hz refresh rate, but average color gamut coverage. The audio quality is adequate, and the laptop's performance is comparable to Snapdragon Elite machines, with fast SSD speeds.

Winsage

July 19, 2024

NordVPN will soon work on Qualcomm Snapdragon X PCs, closing a big part of the Windows on Arm app gap

NordVPN is developing an Arm-native version of its application for better performance and efficiency on devices powered by Arm processors like the Snapdragon X Elite.

Winsage

July 2, 2024

Why I’m loving the next generation of PCs

Windows on ARM is now powered by the Snapdragon X platform, featuring the Oryon CPU built by Nuvia, which was acquired by Qualcomm. This new generation of Windows PCs aims to compete with Mac by offering transformative experiences with improved battery life and performance.