Snapdragon X Series Archives

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Qualcomm promises better gaming performance with latest Windows on Snapdragon update

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon Control Panel and a suite of updates for Snapdragon X Elite laptops, enhancing software and performance. Key features of the Control Panel include automatic game detection, per-game settings, and Adreno GPU driver updates. Qualcomm has resolved bugs and improved performance for over 100 games since last year. The x86 emulation layer has been upgraded, with Microsoft's Prism Emulator now supporting AVX x86 emulation, and AVX2 support expected on upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops. Additionally, Fortnite is now available on Qualcomm devices due to Epic Online Services Anti-Cheat support, and the company is working with anti-cheat providers like Tencent and Roblox to improve multiplayer support.

Winsage

October 17, 2025

Microsoft Unleashes AI Revolution: Windows 11 Transforms Every PC into an ‘AI PC’ with Hands-Free Copilot as Windows 10 Support Ends

Microsoft has launched a significant update for Windows 11, coinciding with the end of free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This update integrates artificial intelligence deeply into the operating system, transforming Windows 11 machines into 'AI PCs' with hands-free interaction capabilities through the intelligent assistant, Copilot. Key features include "Hey Copilot" voice activation, Copilot Vision for analyzing on-screen content, and Copilot Actions for performing multi-step tasks autonomously. These advancements are available to all Windows 11 PCs, democratizing access to AI technology. The update is expected to drive a migration from Windows 10 and reshape the competitive landscape for AI and computing. Microsoft aims to make AI a fundamental part of the user experience, setting new standards for interaction and potentially impacting various device categories. Future developments will focus on enhancing AI capabilities and ensuring privacy and security measures are in place.

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Microsoft celebrates Windows 11 on Arm progress as users now spend the majority of their time in natively compiled apps — compatibility is no longer a concern

Microsoft has reported that 90% of user engagement on Arm-based PCs is now with natively compiled applications for Windows 11 on Arm. The Arm app ecosystem is expanding, with native Arm versions available for apps representing 90% of total user minutes. Collaboration with Qualcomm, particularly through the Snapdragon X series of PC chips, has been crucial in this development. Major OEMs have adopted this technology, leading to new Arm-based PCs that compete with Apple Silicon. Adobe has released flagship applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro in native formats. Notable applications now natively compiled for Windows on Arm include 7 Zip, Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, Todoist, Libre Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Camtasia, Paint.NET, Djay Pro, CapCut, Figma, Apple TV, Apple Music, Google Chrome, Telegram, WhatsApp, Spotify, Davinci Resolve, Blender, and Luminar Neo. The current generation of Snapdragon X processors supports applications still reliant on emulation, with robust performance. Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon PC chips, likely named Snapdragon X2, are expected to enhance performance and efficiency further.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows on Arm vs Intel: Which laptop platform is right for you?

The Windows laptop market has shifted towards devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, moving away from traditional Intel and AMD architectures. This initiative, known as Windows on Arm, has produced notable products like the Asus ZenBook A14 and Dell XPS 13, which are praised for their performance in AI applications and impressive battery life. These devices can run Intel-based applications through an emulation layer called Prism, which translates x86-64 code into ARM64 instructions, allowing compatibility with non-native software. While they perform well for office tasks and some creative applications, limitations exist in gaming and high-demand software due to the need for specific drivers and graphics performance. Currently, the market features three Windows on Arm processors: Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus, and X. Pricing for these laptops often exceeds ,000, making Intel and AMD options more appealing for budget-conscious consumers.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft App Assure helps Nord Security build for Windows on Arm

Developers are focusing on optimizing applications for the newly launched Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced system architecture, all-day battery life, and the ability to run AI models directly on the device. The initial Copilot+ PCs are powered by Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus silicon, with AMD and Intel also introducing compatible processors. Microsoft’s App Assure Program provides guidance and technical support to help developers optimize applications for these devices, particularly for Arm-based Snapdragon X Series devices. NordVPN is a notable example of a company that successfully utilized the App Assure program to develop an Arm-optimized version of their application. The program includes the Arm Advisory Service, which allows developers to consult with Microsoft engineers for a smoother development process. Other companies, such as Proton VPN and F-Secure, have also benefited from the App Assure team in optimizing their applications for the Windows on Arm platform.

Winsage

May 12, 2025

I tried Asus ZenBook A14. Now I can’t imagine using a different Windows laptop

The Asus ZenBook A14 is a lightweight laptop that weighs over 23% less than the MacBook Air and is crafted from a material called Ceraluminum, making it 30% lighter than aluminum and nearly three times stronger. It features a variety of ports, including two USB-C (v4.0) ports, a USB-A port, and an HDMI 2.1 port, offering more connectivity options than the MacBook Air. The keyboard provides satisfying feedback and ample travel, while the Windows Hello authentication system offers convenient security. The laptop has a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and performs well with applications from Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, although it struggles with heavier workloads in Da Vinci Resolve. The ZenBook A14 has a battery life of around eight hours on a single charge.

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

Expanding Copilot+ PC experiences across AMD, Intel and Snapdragon powered devices

Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity. New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands. AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts. Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

Fortnite is coming to Windows on Arm

Epic Games and Qualcomm are collaborating to enhance gaming on Windows devices with Snapdragon chips by integrating support for Easy Anti-Cheat. This partnership addresses the challenge of adapting anti-cheat software, which is primarily designed for x64 architecture, to work with Snapdragon devices. Epic aims to test and refine this support through Fortnite, which could improve anti-cheat measures for a wider range of multiplayer games on Snapdragon-powered devices.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

Fortnite is breaking down a huge barrier for Snapdragon chips

Epic Games has partnered with Qualcomm to integrate Fortnite and its Easy Anti-Cheat software into Snapdragon X Elite PCs. This collaboration aims to tackle compatibility issues between Windows applications and Snapdragon devices due to differences in x86 and Arm instruction set architectures. The introduction of Easy Anti-Cheat is expected to facilitate the addition of more games on Snapdragon PCs, depending on developer support. Despite the potential of Snapdragon X Elite PCs for gaming, app support has been limited. Fortnite is set to launch on these devices later this year, paving the way for more titles. Easy Anti-Cheat requires kernel-level access, making it incompatible with emulation layers, which presents challenges for running conventional Windows applications designed for x86. Epic Games aims to improve anti-cheat support for other games through this initiative, although not all games may receive support due to potential performance issues with emulation.