
Qualcomm introduced the ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite chipset for Windows PCs in October 2023. Now, just a month away from the release of Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops, we’re exploring the x86 and ARM architectures, the long-standing issues with the Windows platform, and the future of ARM-based processors on Windows.
A Brief History of x86 Architecture
Since the 1980s, Windows has relied on the x86 architecture. Intel developed the first 32-bit architecture processor based on the 8086 microprocessor, and later AMD introduced the 64-bit architecture in the early 2000s. Today, the majority of Windows PCs run on the x86-64 architecture.
Over the past four decades, the x86 architecture has delivered strong performance, adapting to the demands of modern computing on Windows. However, it has struggled with efficiency, resulting in higher power consumption and heat generation.
Despite offering good performance, Windows laptops are notorious for their poor battery life. In my more than a decade of using Windows laptops, I’ve rarely encountered one that provides more than 3 to 4 hours of battery life, and even that tends to degrade quickly.
Moreover, the sluggish performance is exacerbated by the use of slower HDDs and Microsoft’s progressively bloated Windows OS. Windows laptops have become the subject of memes, often labeled as “hot garbage” and “junkware.”
Windows laptops have been meme-fied to the point of being labeled as “hot garbage” and “junkware”.
The issue became glaringly apparent, prompting everyone to seek an alternative. This led to the emergence of the ARM architecture, which promised unparalleled efficiency and strong performance. Initially, ARM was primarily used in low-compute devices such as smartphones and was not considered a viable replacement for x86 in delivering desktop-class performance.
However, the narrative shifted when Apple introduced its in-house Apple M1 chip in 2020, based on the ARM64 architecture. The M1 delivered desktop-class performance along with exceptional efficiency, sparking a race to reduce power consumption while enhancing performance. Performance-per-watt became the primary metric for evaluating processors.
Transitions to Windows for ARM
Microsoft began its adoption of the ARM architecture in 2012 with Windows RT. In 2017, the Windows on ARM (WoA) platform transitioned to Windows 10, and since then, Microsoft has released several devices with Qualcomm’s ARM-based processors. However, the performance did not meet expectations, leading many PC makers to forgo ARM processors for their laptops.

In a significant shift, Qualcomm acquired Nuvia in 2021, a chip design firm founded by former Apple engineers who worked on Apple Silicon. Led by Gerard Williams III, the chief architect of Apple Silicon, the Nuvia team within Qualcomm started developing high-performance ARM-based CPUs for Windows PCs.
Finally, in October 2023, Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon X Elite featuring the Nuvia-designed Oryon CPU cores. This marked a turning point for the Windows on ARM platform, as Qualcomm demonstrated that the Snapdragon X Elite can compete with the best Apple M-series chips in both performance and efficiency.

Qualcomm’s announcement prompted a swift response from Apple, leading to the release of the Apple M3 chips just a week after the unveiling of the Snapdragon X Elite. This quick response indicated that Qualcomm had indeed made significant advancements.
Following this development, PC OEM partners such as HP, Dell, Asus, Microsoft, Samsung, Lenovo, and other major players announced their plans to launch Windows laptops with the Snapdragon X Elite chipset in mid-2024.
Snapdragon X Elite Promises Excellent Battery Life and Performance
Despite not having debuted yet, the highly anticipated Snapdragon X Elite chipset is making waves across the media. Microsoft’s confidence in the Snapdragon X Elite’s capabilities is so high that upcoming Surface devices will exclusively feature the Qualcomm chipset, with no Surface devices based on Intel Core Ultra processors, except for business offerings.

According to reports from The Verge, internal documents suggest that Windows’s emulation layer will perform better than Apple’s Rosetta 2 on the Snapdragon X Elite. Additionally, a Qualcomm engineer recently stated that Windows games will seamlessly run on the Snapdragon X Elite, thanks to improved ARM64EC emulation.
Leaked benchmarks of the Snapdragon X Elite indicate that the 23W variant with 12 Oryon CPU cores falls somewhere between the Apple M2 Pro and Apple M3 Pro in performance. Qualcomm is also developing the Snapdragon X Plus, featuring 8 Oryon CPU cores, to compete against the base Apple M2 and M3 chips. The Snapdragon X Plus may also offer 5G connectivity on the go.

Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon X Elite matches the peak performance of an x86 processor while using 68% less power, a significant achievement. This efficiency could translate to 10 to 12 hours of battery life on Snapdragon X Elite-powered Windows laptops, similar to MacBooks.
Although the Snapdragon X Elite has yet to debut on any device, recent leaks and official benchmark numbers from Qualcomm are quite promising. As the x86 architecture has dominated Windows PCs for so long, app compatibility will be a major factor before users adopt the ARM architecture.
Google recently launched a native Chrome browser for Windows on ARM, just ahead of the Snapdragon X Elite’s debut. Many native apps from Adobe, Cisco, Citrix, and other developer firms are also in development for the WoA platform. Microsoft already has ported most of its apps for developers and consumers. You can find a list of native apps available on the WoA platform here.
Snapdragon X Elite’s NPU is a Selling Point
In addition to the powerful Oryon CPU, the Hexagon NPU on the Snapdragon X Elite is a significant advantage. As we move swiftly into an AI era, Microsoft is also focusing heavily on this front. Microsoft has introduced a Copilot key on the Windows keyboard for instant access to the AI chatbot on Windows 11. The company is also developing several AI features that will be included in the Windows 11 24H2 update.
The Snapdragon X Elite’s NPU can perform up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). When the CPU, GPU, and NPU work together, they can deliver up to 75 TOPS, which is quite impressive. Microsoft, along with many other OEM partners, plans to launch AI PCs in 2024 and beyond. Qualcomm’s leadership in the AI department could make Windows a robust platform for delivering innovative AI experiences and features.
Although Intel has integrated an NPU into its Core Ultra processors, capable of collectively delivering up to 34 TOPS, and AMD can reach up to 39 TOPS, x86 processors appear to fall short in matching the AI performance of the Snapdragon X Elite chipset.
What Does the Future Hold for Windows on ARM?
After years of anticipation, the ARM architecture is finally set to shine on Windows. Currently, Qualcomm stands as the sole manufacturer of ARM-based chips for Windows on ARM, reportedly due to an exclusivity agreement with Microsoft. However, in a conversation with Ben Thompson of Stratechery, ARM CEO Rene Haas mentioned that this agreement is set to expire in 2024, which is promising news.
Once the exclusivity agreement ends, several players like AMD, Nvidia, MediaTek, and Samsung intend to develop custom ARM-based chips for Windows on ARM. This diverse competition is expected to drive better performance and efficiency across CPU, GPU, NPU, and other aspects. Additionally, healthy competition is likely to reduce the price of ARM-based PCs.
In summary, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is poised to revolutionize the Windows computing landscape. The era of poor battery life, noisy fans, and excessive heat resulting in subpar performance is on the verge of being replaced by a new standard of efficiency and power.
The era of bad battery life and always-spinning fans with heat emanating from all sides resulting in poor performance is set to be replaced by a new standard of efficiency and power.
However, high pricing could dampen the excitement surrounding the Snapdragon X Elite launch. A recent report from WinFuture suggests that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, featuring the Snapdragon X Elite chipset, could be priced around 1800 euros ($1954 or Rs. 1.6 lakhs) in Europe.
If this pricing trend continues, it could impede the adoption of ARM-based Windows PCs. Qualcomm and laptop manufacturers must price X Elite-powered laptops competitively to ensure the success of ARM-based PCs in the market.
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