You’re probably aware that some Windows laptops with Snapdragon processors exist, but these devices never quite delivered sufficient power in practice. Additionally, Microsoft’s optimization of Windows for the x86 CPU architecture left users with no choice but to opt for AMD or Intel processors. However, this seems to change with the introduction of the Snapdragon X Elite processor.

Microsoft to offer advanced translation layer with powerful ARM chipset

Microsoft is quite ambitious about the performance of the Snapdragon X Elite according to a recent article shared by The Verge. Even though computers with ARM processors are out, x64 software has not disappeared yet. For instance, Apple, despite releasing ARM M series processors, used a translation layer called Rosetta for x64 apps to run on ARM CPUs.

Apple’s M3 Macbook Air

Microsoft claims that its translation layer is working even better than Apple’s Rosetta 2. It’s crucial for this translation layer to function effectively because if there are too much issues with running x64 applications on the ARM platform, there would be no reason for end-consumers to invest in an ARM processor-based machine. In fact, a translation layer from x64 to ARM was introduced in Windows over 2 years ago, and it appears that Microsoft is now achieving the desired success with it.

Another piece of information acquired by The Verge is that the Surface 10 Pro and Surface Laptop 6 devices will come with Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon X Elite processor. While it was already announced that these devices would come with Intel Core Ultra series processors earlier, it’s now revealed that there will also be Snapdragon X Elite variants.

Snapdragon X Elite benchmark

The Snapdragon X Elite will not only provide benefits in performance and energy efficiency but will also equip Windows with AI-related features through its NPU. It will enable Copilot to access any context on your computer and provide you with better responses. Moreover, it will be possible to perform image creation on the device using custom image models. Microsoft is labeling its new computers as “next-gen AI Copilot PCs.”

Although a device with Snapdragon X Elite has not been released to the public yet, Qualcomm has already published some benchmarks revealing that it’s better than Apple M2. While it’s claimed that Windows games won’t perform as well, they will at least be running. Microsoft’s devices with Snapdragon X Elite will be unveiled on May 20th.

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