I traveled 13,528 miles with these Snapdragon-powered laptops — Three key things make them ideal for trips

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Over the past week, I traveled a distance of approximately 13,528 miles, splitting time between flights to and from Taiwan for Computex 2025. Prior to my journey, Qualcomm generously provided me with two laptops powered by Snapdragon technology – the HP OmniBook X 14 (X Elite) and the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 (X Plus). I took these devices along and utilized them extensively during my work trip.

Regarding Windows laptops, each caters to distinct purposes; however, it was found that notebooks equipped with Qualcomm’s most recent Snapdragon X processors excel as ideal travel partners for both personal and professional trips. Here’s the explanation behind this claim.

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Windows laptops serve various functions, but those with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X chips stand out as excellent travel options for either personal or work-related purposes. Here’s why.

What to know about these Snapdragon X laptops

The HP OmniBook X, featuring the Snapdragon X Elite processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, has an original price of $1,449.99 on HP.com. However, at this moment, it’s being offered at a discounted price of $1,049.99. Interestingly, if you opt for a 512GB configuration, the price increases to an MSRP of $1,699.99 at HP. I can’t help but wonder if there’s been an error, but it provides an opportunity to save some cash.

To help reduce costs further, consider the option with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD priced at $899.99 on Best Buy.

Currently, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, equipped with a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, is available for purchase at a slightly lower price point of $859.99 on Lenovo’s official website.

Let me delve deeper into why these devices are excellent choices for traveling, starting with an overview of their specifications. First, let’s have a look.

Specs HP OmniBook X Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1
Starting Price $1,449.99 $859.99
OS Windows 11 Home 64 ARM Windows 11 Home 64 ARM
Display 14″ 2.2K (2240 x 1400) IPS, multitouch, Low Blue Light, 300 nits, 100% sRGB, 60Hz 14″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED, Touch, 400 nits, 100% DCI-P3, 60Hz
CPU Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 (up to 3.4 GHz, 12 cores) Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 (up to 3.4 GHz, 8 cores)
GPU Integrated: Qualcomm Adreno GPU Integrated: Qualcomm Adreno GPU
NPU Qualcomm Hexagon (up to 45 TOPS) Qualcomm Hexagon (up to 45 TOPS)
Memory 16 GB LPDDR5x-8448 MT/s (Soldered) 16 GB LPDDR5x-8448 MT/s (Soldered)
Storage 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 2242 Gen4 SSD
Biometric login Windows Hello camera login Fingerprint reader login
Ports 1x USB Type-A 10Gbps, 2x 1 USB Type-C 10Gbps, 1x headphone jack 2x USB-C 10Gbps, 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x microSD card reader, 1x headphone jack
Connectivity Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
Battery 59Whr 57Whr
Dimensions 312.9 x 223.5 x 14.5mm (12.32 x 8.8 x 0.57in) 17.5 x 313 x 227 (12.32 x 8.94 0.68in)
Weight 1.35kg (2.97 lb) 1.49kg (3.28lbs)
Warranty 1-Year 1-Year

Windows on Snapdragon makes for excellent travel companions

As a tech enthusiast on the go, I found the compact design of the HP OmniBook X and Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 to be incredibly travel-friendly. Their sleek, lightweight builds and smaller 14-inch screens made them easy to carry around without compromising on performance.

As a tech-savvy traveler, I effortlessly stowed both devices into the Waterfield Air Porter Backpack – a backpack designed with airline storage in mind – during my flights. Conveniently, these gadgets neatly accommodated on my Delta tray tables, enabling me to type comfortably even while on the move.

At Computex, I had the opportunity to carry one laptop at a time to my meetings, using my favorite discreet laptop bag. You can grab one yourself for just $39.99 on Amazon, if you’re curious.

Previously mentioned, these laptops utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, making them Windows on ARM devices. Despite some misconceptions about compatibility, these machines perform superbly and managed to handle all the work programs I required, along with providing ample after-work entertainment options.

If you weren’t aware, Snapdragon X laptops are renowned for their exceptional battery life. During my week-long stay in Taipei, where my workdays exceeded eight hours daily, I managed to make full use of this feature and never came close to running out of power.

In the upcoming part, I’ll outline advantages and disadvantages of each device, but briefly, Snapdragon X laptops make excellent travel companions due to their sleek design, portability, and impressive battery performance.

You just need to choose a configuration and model that best suits your needs.

The HP OmniBook X 14 gives MacBook Air a real rival

In June 2024, the HP OmniBook X 14 was launched, yet it remains an exceptional laptop and one of the top contenders against the MacBook Air M3 and Surface Laptop in the current market.

It functioned efficiently and swiftly across all applications and tasks I assigned it, including photo editing in Photoshop and watching Netflix.

As a connoisseur of style, I am captivated by the subtle elegance of its streamlined frame. In professional environments, it effortlessly blends into the background without demanding attention – a trait that many appreciate. However, some may perceive its understated design as somewhat lackluster or uninspiring.

In this setup, there’s a Snapdragon X Elite chip residing, which currently serves as Qualcomm’s leading processor for laptops, seeing as they haven’t introduced a new flagship model this year.

During the evaluation of the HP OmniBook X 14 for performance, our related platform Tom’s Guide discovered that it outperformed the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 in multicore benchmarks and boasted a superior display color spectrum.

The device remained operational for a full 16 hours and 22 minutes during testing, surpassing the MacBook Air 13 by approximately an hour and twelve minutes.

Meanwhile, the 16GB of RAM and ample 1TB SSD perfectly suit this device and my storage needs.

When I initially configured the OmniBook X, I activated Windows Hello, which has consistently identified me swiftly and effortlessly using the built-in webcam. This may seem like a minor feature, but it proved beneficial during my multitasking activities such as listening to various speakers and jotting down notes.

Similar to many HP laptops, the OmniBook X sports a slightly debatable USB-A port design with a drop-jaw feature, which enables it to be slimmer compared to other models. Additionally, you’ll find two USB-C ports on board, these not only offer Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 compatibility but also add to your overall convenience.

One aspect that struck me as unusual is that the screen’s range doesn’t extend beyond 130 degrees. It seems to halt rather abruptly, causing me some concern that I might accidentally apply too much pressure and potentially damage it.

While I wish the display could go back a little further, this won’t be a big issue for most people.

As a researcher examining the device, it strikes me as unusual that HP hasn’t included an OLED display option. Nevertheless, the 2.2K IPS touchscreen panel delivers sharp detail and a commendable color gamut that I found useful while working on Photoshop tasks.

Before shifting to another computer, let me mention that the keyboard and touchpad are generously sized and a pleasure to work with.

As a devoted user, I appreciate the convenience of the function row, packed with handy shortcuts. Yet, I can’t help but wish there was a bit more distance between the delete key and the power button, as I’ve accidentally pressed the power off a few times. However, with practice, I believe I could adapt to this arrangement better in the future.

You should buy this if …

✅You want a lightweight AI laptop with long battery life

As I stand by, I can’t help but admire this portable powerhouse that seamlessly blends AI and traditional computing. It boasts a sleek and lightweight build, making it a breeze to carry around. Moreover, its impressive battery life makes it an indispensable companion for the constantly on-the-move individuals, ensuring they can stay productive even during extended travel periods.

You should not buy this if …

❌You need a laptop that offers more power or has a better screen

Snapdragon laptops may not be high-performance machines, especially when it comes to running demanding graphic software locally. If such functionality is crucial for your needs, then these laptops might not be the ideal choice for you. Furthermore, if an OLED screen is what you’re after, you should consider looking at other devices instead.

The good and bad of Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1

Previously, my coworker Zac Bowden wrote a comprehensive review of the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1. If you’re interested in delving deeper into its performance, I encourage you to read his full analysis. In this discussion, however, I’d like to share some personal experiences about how handy I found this laptop during my recent trip.

In contrast to the OmniBook X, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 offers greater flexibility, transforming from a conventional laptop into a tablet when folded back.

As an analyst, I find it more practical for me to use the tent mode setup, allowing me to comfortably engage with the screen while working at my desk and seated. If you prefer, Lenovo offers an upgrade – the Base Pen 3, a stylus that is compatible with the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, for an additional cost.

I discovered that the OLED touchscreen was highly sensitive to my finger gestures and visually appealing. Just like many 2-in-1 devices, the keyboard automatically shuts off when it’s folded back, which prevents any unintentional input while using the tablet mode.

As an analyst, I’ve found that while my current device lacks the capability to use Windows Hello with its built-in camera, it does offer a convenient fingerprint reader for biometric login instead. This feature has proven reliable every time I’ve used it, allowing me to quickly access my workstation and get back to my tasks without delay.

This computer employs the Snapdragon X Plus, an 8-core version, which is slightly less powerful than the top-of-the-line X Elite used in the OmniBook X. However, it managed to handle my hectic workdays quite well and didn’t encounter any issues while accessing the necessary software.

It offers 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB SSD, which is a good amount for most work and personal needs.

Compared to the OmniBook X, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 has a slightly bulkier build and is a tad heavier. However, it boasts a greater number of connectivity options, making it more versatile in terms of connecting devices.

You’ll find three different spots for connecting your displays, which include two USB-C interfaces and one HDMI 2.1 port. Additionally, I have two USB-A ports, a microSD card reader, and an audio jack for your headphones available for use.

In my hotel room, I required to charge my external SSD, my wireless Sony Active Noise Cancelling headphones, and connect a wireless mouse. I discovered that this laptop was the most convenient option for accomplishing these tasks.

In the evaluation stage, this laptop demonstrated exceptional performance suitable for tasks like Office applications, virtual meetings, emails, and leisure activities.

During our battery life test, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 ran for 15 hours and 37 minutes. This is certainly adequate for a typical workday, considering its performance during my busy day at Computex.

You should buy this if …

✅You’re looking for a relatively thin AI laptop with long battery life and a good range of ports

Although smaller and sleeker AI laptops are available in the market, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 offers conveniences that some other devices lack. With this laptop, you can effortlessly link multiple screens and accessories, and it boasts an impressive all-day battery life.

You should not buy this if …

❌You specifically want a laptop with Windows Hello camera support

If you prefer a laptop that can identify you through facial recognition instead of using a fingerprint scanner, then this particular device may not suit your needs.

Which of these Snapdragon X laptops should I get?

Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly endorse the OmniBook X and the Flexible IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 due to their exceptional battery performance, dependable functionality, and conveniently portable dimensions.

Speaking as a tech-savvy individual, I’d wholeheartedly endorse the HP OmniBook X 14 for those constantly on-the-go. It’s an ideal choice for individuals juggling hectic schedules who seek a compact, lightweight laptop that can handle extended workdays and travel with ease.

If you’re looking for an economical laptop powered by Snapdragon that provides a wider variety of ports and doubles as a tablet, consider the Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1.

Is Windows on ARM64 usable in 2025?

Yes, but as with any laptop, the best option depends on your specific needs.

In the past, ARM laptops running Windows had significant limitations and were incompatible with many popular software options. However, this issue has been largely resolved now, as most practical programs designed for an ARM64-based Snapdragon X laptop are compatible today.

On Snapdragon X laptops, I found myself comfortably able to surf the web, conduct benchmarks, manipulate images using Photoshop, watch streaming content, and do a lot more.

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2025-05-29 20:11