Qualcomm teases “high performance” desktops powered by Snapdragon X processors

Qualcomm teases "high performance" desktops powered by Snapdragon X processors

What you need to know

  • Qualcomm teased that its Snapdragon X processors will power “high performance” desktops.
  • The company did not share when those desktops would ship, apart from saying it was soon.
  • Up to this point, Snapdragon X chips have powered laptops mostly, though there is a Snapdragon Developer Kit with a 12-core X Elite inside.

As a seasoned tech journalist who has covered the industry for over two decades, I must say that Qualcomm’s announcement at IFA 2024 caught my attention like a bolt of lightning. The idea of Snapdragon X processors powering high-performance desktops is not just intriguing; it’s potentially game-changing.


A potential new rival may emerge in the market currently dominated by Intel, AMD, and Apple, as Qualcomm unveiled at IFA 2024 that its Snapdragon X Series processors are planned for “high-performance” desktop computers. Although specifics about the upcoming desktops remain scarce, it appears reasonable to anticipate that these “high-performance” models will be positioned against robust systems using processors from well-known chip manufacturers

2024 saw a significant day for Qualcomm at IFA. In a press conference, they revealed their latest Snapdragon X Plus (an 8-core processor), designed to power affordable laptops starting from $800. The company emphasized the early achievements of its Snapdragon X chips, showcased comparisons with Intel and AMD, and featured major partners on stage. After the conference ended, bits of additional information have been leaking out, some of which might overshadow the budget-oriented announcements we’ve heard thus far, including a hint at desktop capabilities. Furthermore, Qualcomm announced that Google Drive will be compatible with Snapdragon X-powered PCs later in the year, a development that is very exciting news

To date, Snapdragon X processors have predominantly been used in laptops. The only exception is the Snapdragon Developer Kit, which contains a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite chip. As its name implies, this device is designed for developers rather than regular users. If a desktop computer with a Snapdragon X processor were to emerge, it would be a groundbreaking first

Qualcomm hints that the Snapdragon X processor is expected to debut in high-performance desktop computers, although an exact timeline remains undisclosed. However, a release could be anticipated as early as September 4, 2024

Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden is at IFA 2024 and will continue to share any news from the event.

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2024-09-04 17:54