Qualcomm, a major smartphone chip supplier, has been trying to enter the notebook market since 2017. Early attempts with Snapdragon 835, 850, and 8cx (Gen 1-3) faced challenges due to limited software support and lower performance compared to x86 processors. Microsoft's support through Surface Pro tablets (SQ1-SQ3) provided some traction.
In 2024, the rise of generative AI, fueled by ChatGPT and Windows 11's integration of AI features, changed the game. Snapdragon X Elite's powerful NPU (over 40 TOPS) was pivotal in Microsoft's Copilot+ campaign on Snapdragon-powered notebooks. This gave Qualcomm a significant advantage over AMD and Intel, who lacked comparable NPUs at the time.
While the hyped Recall feature (app-wide search history) was withdrawn due to significant privacy concerns, Snapdragon X's success is attributed to its improved performance in key areas beyond AI, solidifying Qualcomm's place in the notebook market. The article is a preview and requires a paid subscription for full access.