What you need to know
- Qualcomm recently revealed a new 8-core Snapdragon X Plus to sit at the bottom of the new ARM chipset range, leading to more affordable devices.
- Lenovo has announced three new Windows laptops rocking the new chip, all coming in at well below $1,000 thanks to the Snapdragon X Plus.
- Two 14-inch IdeaPads are aimed at consumers, with the USA-bound 2-in-1 looking awesome and coming in at $849.
- The most affordable of the lineup is surprisingly the one aimed at businesses, with a 16-inch ThinkBook expected to retail for just $749.
As a tech enthusiast who’s always on the lookout for the latest and greatest gadgets, I must say I’m quite intrigued by Lenovo’s new offerings. The IdeaPad Slim 5x with its slick design and blue-grey colorway has caught my eye. I wish it were available in North America, as it seems like a fantastic choice for those seeking a lighter, thinner laptop with top-tier specifications.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processors have paved the way for a modern lineup of lightweight and slim Windows laptops. However, none of these models have managed to dip below the $1000 price point that many consumers typically look for. A new 8-core edition of the Snapdragon X Plus chip has emerged, aiming to reduce costs without compromising on battery life or essential features. Lenovo is among the pioneering brands showcasing laptops equipped with this latest System-on-Chip (SoC)
Lenovo has unveiled three fresh Windows on ARM devices, priced under $900, including two IdeaPads that mimic my favorite laptop, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9), at a lower cost. Additionally, there’s a new ThinkBook designed for small businesses with enhanced security and remote management capabilities; interestingly, this is also the most affordable device in the newly launched Snapdragon X Plus series
Here’s everything you need to know about all three devices.
Two IdeaPads to bring Snapdragon X prices down
At IFA 2024, Lenovo introduced their first Snapdragon X Plus-powered device, which is referred to as the IdeaPad 5x 14 2-in-1. As the name suggests, this is a mid-range, 14-inch 2-in-1 convertible laptop that focuses on offering a balance between features and cost. It’s rather slim and lightweight, with dimensions approximately 17.5mm thick and weighing around 3.31lbs. The device showcases a vibrant and accurate color OLED display, and it leverages the new 8-core ARM processor to deliver its Copilot+ PC experience
This device offers MIL-STD-810H military durability certification for added assurance, a biometric fingerprint sensor for secure authentication, advanced wireless connectivity that’s ready for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, and a versatile range of ports including two USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery, two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a microSD card slot, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack
This design offers versatility, featuring a 360-degree hinge and a full multitouch display compatible with an active stylus. Although it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing laptop from Lenovo, its performance seems commendable given its pricing. The upcoming Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 14 2-in-1 (Gen 9) is set to debut globally around October 2024, with a starting price of $849. It remains uncertain what customization options will be available for buyers, but it’s likely that most models will share similar features, varying primarily in storage capacity
Perhaps a more compact and cost-effective Yoga Flex 5x, which shares many similarities with IdeaPad Flex 5x, but without the 2-in-1 features. It’s the same Snapdragon Compact chipset, the same 13-inch OLED display (but without the 2-in-1 advantages), the same port selection, the same MIL-STD-810H durability standard, the same wireless connectivity, and the same overall design language. However, this laptop can be specced a little higher with more RAM, but it’s both lighter and thinner than its 2-in-1 counterpart
I have a preference for the layout of this laptop due to its sleeker and smoother design, plus it offers a stylish blue-grey color option. Like the other laptops featured in this article, it also falls into the category of AI PCs, leveraging the powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) within the Snapdragon X Plus to support the increasing number of AI features in Windows 11 and Lenovo’s proprietary software suite
In simpler terms, the IdeaPad Slim 5x will not be easily found for sale in North America. Instead, it is specifically designed for the EMEA market (Europe, Middle East, Asia) with a projected retail price of €899. It should hit the shelves later this month
An enterprise-focused laptop for less than $800
Perhaps the most boring part of Lenovo’s new Snapdragon X Plus lineup for consumers but the most exciting element for Lenovo’s most lucrative customers (enterprise) is the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 (Gen 7). This is a large, 16-inch laptop with a suite of hardware and software security and remote management features, including Microsoft Pluton, an enhanced CPU-to-cloud security processor embedded in the Snapdragon X Plus and Windows 11 Pro by default.
The Snapdragon X Plus laptop boasts a powerful upgrade to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, features a slim yet robust design under 17mm thickness, and boasts an impressive 84Whr battery for extended usage. Interestingly, the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 is expected to hit stores for just $749 in October 2024, which is quite affordable for an enterprise-focused laptop offering enhanced hardware security features
This particular laptop might not be the highest-tier or most advanced business model, yet it remains highly appealing for small businesses and corporations aiming to outfit numerous staff members with reliable, hassle-free devices. One potential cost-saving aspect of the ThinkBook 16 is its display, an IPS LCD panel that maxes out at 350 nits of brightness; however, this laptop appears to be a great value proposition, at least on paper
More affordable alternatives to my favorite laptop
AMD has introduced its Ryzen AI 300-series mobile CPUs, and Intel has revealed its Core Ultra (Series 2) Lunar Lake chips. However, it is Qualcomm that has initiated the “AI revolution” in Windows PCs with its upcoming Snapdragon X series System on Chips (SoCs). The development of these ARM chips for the future remains to be seen, but they are now starting to appear in more budget-friendly PCs
To put it simply, it’s uncertain exactly how much performance you might be giving up by choosing the 8-core Snapdragon X Plus over its 10-core counterpart. Both devices need to be tested thoroughly to confirm this. However, Qualcomm appears confident about their products. It’s exciting to note that budget laptops under $1,000 are consistently improving, and each of the three Lenovo laptops announced today has unique advantages
Even though there are less expensive options available on this list, it’s likely that I would still choose the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x due to its higher price tag of around $3-$400 compared to the others
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2024-09-05 18:42