Snapdragon X Plus: Affordable AI Laptops with a Catch

The Snapdragon X Plus chip is set to power a new wave of affordable AI laptops, but leaked benchmarks reveal some performance trade-offs, especially in gaming.

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Photography by PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay
Published: Thursday, 03 October 2024 09:22 (EDT)
By Emily Wong

The tech world is abuzz with rumors about the imminent release of more affordable Copilot+ laptops, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip. While these devices promise to bring AI-powered computing to a broader audience, early benchmarks suggest that gaming enthusiasts might want to temper their expectations.

According to leaked benchmarks, the Snapdragon X Plus chip falls short in gaming performance compared to its more powerful sibling, the Snapdragon X Elite. For instance, in 3DMark Time Spy, the 8-core Snapdragon X Plus scored 1,025 overall, with a graphics score of 916. In contrast, the Snapdragon X Elite managed a much higher score of 1,900 overall.

When it comes to real-world gaming tests, the results are even more telling. The Snapdragon X Plus could only manage an average of 18 frames per second (fps) in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p with low graphics settings. This drops to a mere 12 fps when the graphics settings are cranked up to high. In comparison, the Snapdragon X Elite offers a more playable 33 fps at high settings.

Analysis: Gaming Isn’t the Focus

It’s important to note that these new laptops are not designed with gaming as their primary focus. Qualcomm executives have been clear that these devices are meant for productivity and everyday computing, not high-end gaming. The Snapdragon X Plus chip is expected to power laptops that could start as low as $800, making AI-powered computing more accessible.

For those who prioritize productivity over gaming, the Snapdragon X Plus should still offer a solid experience. However, if gaming is a priority, you might want to consider a more powerful option, like the Snapdragon X Elite or even wait for Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake-powered Copilot+ PCs, which promise to bring more competitive performance to the table.

In summary, the Snapdragon X Plus chip is a step towards making AI laptops more affordable, but it comes with some compromises. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly AI laptop for everyday tasks, this could be a great option. Just don’t expect it to handle demanding games with ease.

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