Last year, Qualcomm showed us a glimpse of what was in store for us in the world of mobile devices. With smartphones getting bigger and better, it was only a matter of time Qualcomm decided to team up with Microsoft to work on Snapdragon powered laptops. We have already seen a couple of such Snapdragon 835 powered laptops, like the Asus NovaGo, but it looks like there’s more in store.

According to Winfuture.de, Qualcomm is developing a new processor called Snapdragon 1000 specifically for ARM based Windows devices. At present, PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 are not really comparable to mid-range Intel laptops powered by Core i5. So the new processor should be the chipmaker’s answer to offer faster and energy efficient processors for laptops and convertibles.

Snapdragon 1000 doesn’t really fit into any of the company current lineups, so it’s quite possible that Qualcomm may announce it as a separate series. The Snapdragon 4XX, 6XX, 7XX, 8XX are all focused on mobile devices, so this should be a special series made specifically for the laptop market.

While details about Snapdragon 1000 are scarce at the moment, it is said that the CPU will be focused on improving performance of ARM based PCs. The Snapdragon 1000 is rumored to increase CPU power dissipation to 6.5 watts, up from 5 watts on the Snapdragon 845.

As of now, we don’t know whether this is a convertible or a traditional laptop, but Asus is internally calling it as the ‘Primus’. Expected release is around late 2018 or early 2019.

The current state of ARM based Windows laptops is promising but it’s not without issues. There are a lot of limitations in running the full version of Windows because of the ARM based hardware inside. In fact, as of now, the Snapdragon 835 based Windows devices come with a limited Windows S version that can only run apps from the Windows store. You’ll have to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro (free now) to get the full Windows PC experience.

(Source)

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Do you remember Windows 10 S? It is a light version of the operating system announced by Microsoft about 10 months ago which can only run apps from Microsoft Store. It has been launched to enhance performance in low-end PCs, to provide a cleaner user experience and to rival Google’s Chrome OS. Well, even though it even received an encouragement from Google, this operating system was not received well.

The main cause is probably the shortage of apps in the Microsoft Store. Further, Joe Belfiore stated that there was confusion about this version of the OS from Microsoft’s partners and consumers. That is why the Redmond giant has decided to include Windows 10 S in every Windows 10 version through a special S Mode which will arrive with an upcoming update.

Both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro users will be able to switch to the S Mode in order to have a faster and more intuitive user experience, without Win32 programs. And, obviously, it will be possible to switch back to the normal mode when needed. All the users who bought a PC with Windows 10 S installed will be able to switch to the full Windows 10 version for free instead of paying $49 like before.

(Via)

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After HP and ASUS, its now Lenovo that has launched an ARM-chipset based Windows 10 laptop. At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018, Lenovo launched its new Lenovo Miix 630 notebook that is powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon chipset.

This new offering from Lenovo is a 2-in-1 notebook that comes with a 12.3-inch Full HD display and 1920 x 1080 pixels screen resolution. It has a detachable keyboard, which looks similar to other ThinkPad laptops in terms of design.

Just like other Microsoft Always-Connected PCs, this one too features LTE connectivity. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, the device comes bundled with a Windows Ink-supporting digital pen capable of 1,024 levels of pressure.

The Lenovo Miix 630 will be available in two options — 4GB RAM and 8GB RAM. Coming to the internal storage, users can choose between 64GB to 256GB. Along with the LTE connectivity, the machine uses 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1.

It features a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with support for Windows Hello. Since this is a Windows laptop, the Miix 630 also supports features like Cortana voice assistant.

This new ARM-based laptop runs on Window 10 S operating system, which restricts usage of software. The Windows S doesn’t allow users to install apps from anywhere but the Windows Store. The Windows S version is a stripped-down version of the regular Windows 10 operating system and is optimised to take less time to boot up and provide better battery life.

Read More: Lenovo Introduces New ThinkPad Laptops Along With Tablet And Monitors

The company claims that Miix 630 can provide 20 hours of battery life while playing locally saved videos at 150 nits brightness. The Lenovo Mixx 630 will be available sometime between April and June this year, with pricing starting at $799.

 For more coverage from CES 2018, check out this link! 

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Earlier in this month, Qualcomm had unveiled the Snapdragon 845 mobile platform through the Snapdragon Tech Summit event. During the same event, the ASUS NovaGo and HP Envy x2 always connected PCs that are powered by Snapdragon 835 were also showcased. These devices are expected to hit the market by the first quarter of 2018. The HP Envy x2 has now received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which indicates its arrival is drawing near.

On Dec. 15, the HP Envy x2 that is reportedly codenamed as TPN-Q198 had received FCC approval. The device has also acquired certification from GSM Global Certification Forum that reveals the numerous network bands that will be supported by the upcoming HP laptop. The device that is powered by Snapdragon 835 that can last for up to 20 hours by charging it once to the full. It will be able to run full version of Windows 10 S on ARM architecture.

The thickness of the HP Envy x2 is only 6.9mm and its weight is 698 grams only. The SD 835 chip is supported by 8 GB of RAM and it features an internal storage of 256 GB. It promises gigabit LTE experience as it is equipped with Snapdragon X16 LTE modem.

The Envy x2 features a 12-inch Full HD display that is shielded by Gorilla Glass 4. Apart from a user-friendly keyboard, it is also equipped with a stylus. It will be able to deliver immersive audio experience as it will be featuring Bang and Olufsen speakers. Other features of the device include USB-C port, SIM card slot, 13-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Read More: Snapdragon 845 Driven Sony H8216/H8266 Appear in 4GB/6GB RAM and 64/128 GB Storage Models

The exact release date of the HP Envy x2 is not known, but its shipments are expected to start in spring. Recent reports have revealed that Snapdragon 845 powered laptops may also hit the market by Q3 2018. However, rumors suggest before launching SD845 driven always connected PCs, Microsoft and Qualcomm will be checking the market response through the first-generation Snapdragon 835 notebooks.

(source: 1, 2|via)

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In 2016, Microsoft and Qualcomm teamed up to work to launch “always connected PCs” that would be offering a decent battery life. During the Snapdragon Tech Summit that was held in the previous week, ASUS and HP unveiled the first Snapdragon 835 chipset driven notebooks running on Windows 10 S. At the same event, the U.S. based chip maker had also launched the Snapdragon 845 mobile platform that supports maximum download speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps. Fresh information suggests that the Snapdragon 845 powered laptops running on Windows 10 will probably arrive in the second half of 2018.

The HP Envy x2 and ASUS NovaGO powered by the Snapdragon 835 are slated to debut in the first quarter of 2018. Since x86 emulation on ARM was built around the Snapdragon 835 chipset, companies are opting to launch SD835 powered laptops instead of directly releasing Snapdragon 845 notebooks. Lenovo is also expected to showcase its Snapdragon 835 notebook at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 in January.

According to Fudzilla, Cristiano Amon who is Qualcomm’s executive vice president has said that the always connected laptops fueled by Snapdragon 845 chipset will be arriving in the market in the second half of next year. The starting half of 2018 will see various smartphone makers like Samsung, Xiaomi, LG, Sony and so on launching SD 845 powered flagship phones.

Read More:Windows Phone Making A Comeback? WileyFox Pro Unveiled Running Windows 10

The publication speculates that Snapdragon 845 PCs would be available for the back-to-school market by early third quarter of 2018. By launching the Snapdragon 845 notebooks later in 2018, Microsoft and Qualcomm will be able to learn from the market response from the first-generation Snapdragon 835 PCs.

The Snapdragon 835 is the first generation 10nm chipset by Qualcomm and the newly unveiled Snapdragon 845 mobile platform is its second generation 10nm chipset. It is 25 percent more powerful than SD 835 and it comes with 30 percent improved graphics performance.

(source)

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Microsoft has launched the next Surface….Laptop. Not a Surface Book but a full fledged laptop. The Surface Laptop sports a 13.5-inch PixelSense display and is the first Microsoft device to run Windows 10 S.

Windows 10 S

Windows 10 S can best be described as Microsoft’s answer to Chrome OS. All apps that will run on Windows 10 S will be downloaded from the Windows Store. Microsoft says Windows 10 S is aimed at students, most especially those leaving high school for college. The Surface is the first device to ship with it but other manufacturers are expected to release devices running the new OS.

Surface Laptop Design

The Surface Laptop has a fabric Alcantara® covered keyboard that is backlit just like that of the Surface Pro 4 and also spill resistant. The display has a 3:2 aspect ratio and is “the thinnest LCD touch model ever created and put into a laptop” according to Panos Panay, Chief of Devices at Microsoft. Since it is a touch display, this means owners will be able to write on it with the Surface Pen.

The laptop has a clean design and that’s because you won’t see any speaker grilles or cutouts for the speakers. The speakers are positioned underneath the keyboard, so you should literally feel the sound beneath your fingers.

For ventilation, the Surface Laptop has integrated vapor chambers positioned at the back to keep it cool. The Surface Laptop comes in Platinum, Cobalt Blue, Burgundy, and Graphite Gold.

Faster than the i7 MacBook Pro, More battery life than any MacBook Air

Surface Laptop Specifications

The Surface laptop is powered by Intel’s latest Core i5 and Core i7 processors. Microsoft claims the battery life will last for 14½ hours due to the processors and also says it is faster than the i7 MacBook Pro. The Core i5 version will ship with 4GB/8GB of RAM, 128GB/256GB SSD, and Intel HD Graphics 620. The Core i7 version will have 8GB/16GB of RAM, 256GB/512GB SSD, and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640.

There is one USB 3.0 port, one Mini DisplayPort, and an audio jack on the left, and a Surface Connect Port on the right. The laptop measures 308.1 mm x 223.27 mm x 14.48 mm and weighs 1.25kg. It also has support for the Surface Dial off-screen.

Surface Laptop Price

Preorders for the Surface Laptop will start today and will set you back $999 for the Core i5 version with 4GB RAM/128GB SSD. Shipping will begin on the 15th of June, so you should be able to get your shiny new laptop in time for school.

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