Qualcomm claps back at Intel, denies high return rates of Snapdragon PCs

Qualcomm claps back at Intel, denies high return rates of Snapdragon PCs

As a seasoned researcher with over two decades of industry experience, I’ve seen my fair share of tech rivalries, and this one between Qualcomm and Intel is certainly heating up. From my perspective, it seems like both companies are trying to outdo each other with their claims about Arm PCs.

A new tension-filled episode unfolded in the ongoing conflict between Qualcomm and Intel. Not long after Intel’s co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus alleged that Arm PCs using Snapdragon processors have high return rates, Qualcomm responded with an official statement denying Intel’s assertions.

A Qualcomm representative shared with CRN that our devices consistently receive ratings exceeding 4 stars in customer reviews, and have garnered numerous accolades from esteemed industry sources such as Fast Company, TechRadar, and various consumer magazines. Moreover, our return rates for devices are in line with the industry standard.

Qualcomm’s statement was a reaction to Holthaus suggesting that merchants encounter considerable returns when dealing with Arm-based personal computers.

As a devoted fan, I can tell you this: If you delve into the return rates for Arm PCs, you’d soon find that it’s a common worry among retailers, who often remark, “I end up returning a significant portion of these,” due to the fact that upon setup, features that we typically assume to function flawlessly, frequently don’t.” (This is according to Holthaus.)

Qualcomm claps back at Intel, denies high return rates of Snapdragon PCs

For quite some time, ARM-based computers have been a part of the technology landscape, but it was Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors that catapulted them into prominence in 2024. These new processors, specifically the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus, outshine their predecessors in ARM PCs, stirring competition with Intel. With Microsoft’s efforts, Windows 11 now performs more smoothly on ARM systems. The performance of apps run through emulation has also improved due to Microsoft’s Prism emulation software. Furthermore, a notable increase in native ARM applications occurred in 2024.

Holthaus admitted the progress made in Arm computing but pointed out obstacles that remain, saying, “Despite the significant investment in Arm and Microsoft’s efforts, there are still substantial hurdles for Arm to become commonplace in personal computers.

Based on the silence from the retailers, it’s challenging to definitively decide who is right in this particular situation. It seems unlikely that stores would readily disclose their return statistics concerning major clients, but there’s still a possibility that further information might come to light.

New Intel CEO

Qualcomm claps back at Intel, denies high return rates of Snapdragon PCs

In her freshly assumed position at Intel, Holthaus swiftly made a pointed remark towards one of the company’s key rivals. The appointment of Holthaus as co-CEO followed Pat Gelsinger’s sudden retirement. Reports suggested that Gelsinger was either under mounting pressure to resign or face dismissal, and he opted for the former. This power vacuum is currently being addressed by Holthaus and David Zinsner on an interim basis. However, it has been announced that Holthaus will now assume a permanent role as “CEO of Intel Products.

2024 saw a significant event for the company as its former CEO, Gelsinger, announced his retirement on December 2. This decision marked the end of a challenging year, with the company recording a $1.6 billion loss in a quarter, laying off over 10,000 employees, and Intel Foundry Services experiencing ongoing difficulties. Now, Holthaus and Zinsner are tasked with steering the ship as Intel works to regain stability.

It’s worth mentioning that although Intel faces significant challenges that require resolution, it continues to excel in various aspects. In 2023, Intel Foundry Services suffered a loss of $7 billion and has not fared well in 2024, leading Intel to consider spinning off the division. If Intel manages to overcome the difficulties posed by its underperforming foundry service, there’s a possibility that it could experience significant success in the future. However, several uncertainties need to be addressed before such an improvement can occur.

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2024-12-16 17:39