The long-awaited alignment between powerful Windows hardware and polished software remains elusive. While Windows devices are entering one of their strongest hardware phases to date, the operating system itself is increasingly weighed down by aggressive artificial intelligence integration and a lack of meaningful new features.
Against this backdrop, Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon X2 Plus, a processor designed to make Copilot+ PCs more capable—and more affordable.
Unveiled at CES, the Snapdragon X2 Plus aims to move Windows on ARM beyond its reputation as a premium niche. The chip targets laptops priced between $799 and $1,299, a segment where mainstream buyers and enterprise customers are the primary audience.
For the first time, ARM-based Windows laptops are positioned to compete at scale rather than as experimental alternatives.
Qualcomm’s pitch is straightforward: longer battery life, improved application compatibility, and stronger sustained performance. With manufacturers increasingly backing ARM designs, the company is signaling that it is ready to challenge traditional x86 dominance head-on.
Two Variants, One Strategy
The Snapdragon X2 Plus arrives in two configurations, both built on a 3nm process and centred on efficiency paired with heavy AI capability. One model features 10 CPU cores, while the other offers six. Despite the “Plus” branding, both versions include the same 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU found in higher-tier chips—a notable decision that keeps local AI processing firmly intact across the lineup.
According to Qualcomm, the new processor delivers up to 35 per cent higher single-core performance and up to 17 per cent gains in multi-core workloads compared to the previous X Plus generation, while consuming up to 43 per cent less power.
In comparative demonstrations, the X2 Plus reportedly outperforms certain Intel Core Ultra processors at equivalent power levels, particularly in sustained workloads where unplugged performance remains consistent.
AI as a Core Feature, Not an Add-On
The inclusion of an 80 TOPS NPU is critical to Qualcomm’s broader strategy. Microsoft has spent months promoting local AI features within Windows 11, and the Snapdragon X2 Plus is clearly designed to ensure Copilot+ PCs can run those workloads without relying heavily on cloud services.
In AI-focused benchmarks cited by industry observers, the chip reportedly holds a clear lead over several current Intel offerings when NPU performance is isolated.
Enterprise Appeal With Snapdragon Guardian
Beyond consumer performance, Qualcomm is also targeting corporate adoption. The Snapdragon X2 Plus introduces Snapdragon Guardian, a management and security platform offering remote updates, device tracking, and lock-and-wipe capabilities.
The move is widely seen as an attempt to counter Intel’s vPro ecosystem, an area where ARM-based PCs have traditionally struggled to gain acceptance in large organisations.
Hardware Is Ready—Software Must Follow
Taken together, the Snapdragon X2 Plus underscores a broader shift: Qualcomm is no longer simply experimenting in the PC market. It is now competing directly with Intel and AMD on performance, efficiency, and enterprise features. ARM’s momentum in Windows laptops is real, and the hardware foundation is stronger than ever.
What remains unresolved is whether Microsoft can match this progress on the software side. With capable processors now in place, the pressure is on Windows to evolve beyond heavy AI branding and fully capitalise on the hardware now powering its next generation of laptops.
