Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus chipsets power the first wave of Copilot+ PCs, a new range of laptops featuring on-device AI. While these laptops have been making headlines, the top-tier Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 processor remains elusive. So, why is it so hard to find?
Beyond the Processor
Qualcomm manufactures the chips, but design choices lie with device manufacturers. Brands like Lenovo and HP decide how to integrate these processors into their laptops, leading to a variety of configurations with the same chip. As Sascha Segan, a PR manager for Qualcomm, puts it: "You need to look at more than the processor."
The Snapdragon X Elite comes in three versions: X1E-78-100, X1E-80-100, and X1E-84-100. The first two have found their way into numerous Copilot+ PCs, while the most powerful X1E-84-100 is only available in the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge.
Is the X1E-84-100 Worth Waiting For?
Conventional wisdom suggests that a more powerful CPU translates to a better laptop. However, the reality with Snapdragon-powered laptops is more nuanced.
Benchmark results from various Snapdragon-powered laptops reveal an intriguing picture. While the Galaxy Book4 Edge with the X1E-84-100 leads across the board, the performance gap with the lower-powered versions isn't as significant as expected.
For instance, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, powered by the X1E-80-100, trails the Galaxy Book4 Edge by just 122 points in the single-core Geekbench 6 test but lags behind by 1,386 points in the multi-core test. This indicates a slight improvement in single-core performance but a more noticeable difference in multi-core performance.
However, comparing the X1E-80-100 with the X1E-78-100 reveals a different story. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, with the 78-100 chip, scores significantly lower than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 with the 80-100 chip in single-core performance, but the multi-core performance is relatively similar. This shows that the difference in performance between these two versions is more pronounced in single-core tasks.
Adding to the puzzle, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, despite having the lowest-power X1E-78-100, delivers a better gaming experience than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 with the X1E-80-100, highlighting the importance of other components in a laptop.
Choosing the Right Snapdragon Laptop
The benchmark results underscore that performance in Snapdragon-powered laptops is not solely determined by the processor. It's about the overall package.
While the X1E-84-100 might be the most powerful chip, the Galaxy Book4 Edge, its only current host, struggles with battery life. Conversely, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q, with the X1E-78-100, boasts impressive battery life but lags in performance benchmarks.
Therefore, finding the best value-for-money Snapdragon laptop requires striking a balance between performance and battery life. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x emerges as a compelling choice, offering a strong mix of performance and battery life at a reasonable price.
The X1E-84-100's Future
While the X1E-84-100 has the potential to outperform other Snapdragon X Elite chips, more laptops featuring this processor need to be released to truly assess its performance. Unfortunately, no major laptop manufacturers have announced plans for such laptops as of mid-2024.
The Verdict
The wait for more laptops with the X1E-84-100 might not be worthwhile. The existing benchmark results don't show a significant performance gap to warrant waiting, especially for the average user.
If you're considering a Snapdragon-powered laptop from the first round of Copilot+ PCs, opt for the most well-rounded option, rather than solely focusing on the processor. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x stands out as a strong contender, offering a well-balanced experience at a competitive price.
