Qualcomm Snapdragon X CES 2025: Budget AI PC Chip Debuts

At CES 2025, Qualcomm officially unveiled its Snapdragon X processor, a new AI-focused chip designed to bring cutting-edge machine learning and Copilot+ integration to Windows laptops priced under $600. With an 8-core “Oryon” CPU and a 45 TOPS NPU, the Snapdragon X is Qualcomm’s strategic answer to Intel, AMD, and Apple’s dominance in entry-level and mid-range computing.

This announcement not only marks Qualcomm’s push further into the PC market but could also redefine what affordable AI-enabled laptops are capable of.

Let’s take a deep dive into the Snapdragon X CES 2025 announcement, what this chip means for the industry, and how it stacks up against its powerful sibling, the Snapdragon X Elite.

What Is the Qualcomm Snapdragon X?

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X is the company’s latest PC processor, targeting budget Windows Copilot+ laptops with AI functionality. It’s built around the custom Oryon CPU architecture, similar to what powers the high-end Snapdragon X Elite, but with a trimmed-down core count and more accessible price point.

Key Features:

• 8-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU (Custom ARM-based architecture)
• Integrated NPU delivering 45 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second)
• Adreno GPU for efficient graphics performance
• 5G and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
• Fanless, low-power design
• Optimized for Microsoft’s Copilot+ features

This chip is tailored for AI-enhanced Windows experiences — including real-time language translation, smart productivity tools, and background noise suppression — all running natively on-device.

Why Snapdragon X Matters: Democratizing AI PCs

The most exciting part of this announcement is Qualcomm’s intent to bring AI processing power to laptops priced under $600, something previously unheard of.

This makes Snapdragon X laptops $600 not only possible but potentially game-changing. These new machines are set to launch with Windows 11 Copilot+ pre-installed, allowing real-time AI assistance in Office, Teams, creative software, and more — even when offline.

As the AI PC war heats up, Qualcomm is ensuring that not only premium buyers can benefit from AI — but mainstream consumers and students, too.

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Snapdragon X Chip Specs – What’s Inside?

Here’s a breakdown of the Snapdragon X chip specs based on the data revealed at CES 2025:

Despite its budget-friendly positioning, this chip packs serious hardware muscle — especially for AI workloads and multitasking.

Snapdragon X Elite vs Snapdragon X: Key Differences

While both chips share Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU, the Snapdragon X Elite is clearly aimed at power users and premium ultrabooks, while the Snapdragon X is designed for affordability without compromising AI features.

This comparison highlights Qualcomm’s strategy to span the entire PC market with a unified architecture, delivering both affordability and performance.

Snapdragon X Laptops for Under $600 – What to Expect

At CES 2025, several OEMs — including Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS — announced Snapdragon X-powered laptops with expected starting prices around $549 to $599. These include:

• Lenovo Yoga Slim X1 (Snapdragon X) – 13.3” OLED, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
• ASUS VivoBook Light AI – 14” FHD+, fanless design, 5G, 12+ hours battery
• Acer Aspire One Copilot+ Edition – 15” laptop with AI-assisted multitasking

All of these devices will feature Copilot+ features integrated into Windows 11, offering seamless AI tools like:

• Live meeting transcription
• Generative writing suggestions
• Image enhancement tools
• Personalized search with context

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Performance: What 45 TOPS Really Means

The standout spec here is the 45 TOPS-capable NPU, placing Snapdragon X in a similar class to the AI engines found in Apple’s M3 and Intel’s latest Core Ultra series. While the CPU and GPU handle traditional tasks, the NPU:

• Accelerates AI workloads (e.g., on-device voice assistance, photo editing)
• Reduces power draw by handling AI inference locally
• Allows real-time performance without cloud dependency

In everyday usage, users will notice faster boot-ups, intelligent app suggestions, and dramatically better battery life during AI-heavy tasks.

Qualcomm’s Strategy: ARM vs x86 in AI Laptops

The Snapdragon X is more than just a chip — it’s Qualcomm’s stake in the future of ARM-based Windows PCs. As ARM chips become more powerful, efficient, and software-compatible, Qualcomm is clearly aiming to disrupt the Intel/AMD x86 monopoly in the PC space.

Microsoft’s deep Copilot+ integration in Windows 11 also signals a long-term bet on ARM and AI, making Snapdragon chips not just a temporary trend, but a serious long-term competitor.

BUY Snapdragon X Laptops (Coming Soon)

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Final Thoughts: Snapdragon X Is the Budget AI PC Chip to Watch

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X CES 2025 debut signals a major shift in computing. For the first time, true AI laptop performance is accessible under $600, complete with an NPU that rivals much more expensive machines.

Whether you’re a student, a remote worker, or just someone curious about AI tech, Snapdragon X-powered laptops are poised to redefine the mainstream Windows experience. Qualcomm’s smart balance of performance, price, and Copilot+ support could make this chip a category leader throughout 2025 and beyond.