Now that Intel has released Core Series 3, it’s Qualcomm’s turn to provide its effective response to the success of Apple’s MacBook Neo. The tech giant has unveiled Snapdragon C, an ARM system-on-chip aimed at the “entry-tier” Windows PCs not covered by the X2 series.
While some details aren’t available as of this writing, Qualcomm boasts “all-day” battery life, “responsive” AI-friendly performance, and cool-yet-quiet systems. The company is aiming at everyday users, classrooms, and others who are more interested in getting online than heavy-duty content creation or gaming.
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The first systems are coming “soon” from Acer, HP, and Lenovo, according to Qualcomm.
Acer has already previewed its system, the Aspire Go 15. The 15.6-inch 1080p laptop will sit in the same category as the smaller Neo with “up to” 8GB of RAM, a maximum 512GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6e, a pair of USB-C ports (both at full speed, Acer notes), and HDMI. Price and availability will be revealed “at a later date,” Acer says.
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Comparisons between Snapdragon C-powered laptops and the MacBook Neo are difficult to avoid. The $599 system is Apple’s first budget laptop, and its combination of a phone chip with an upscale design has been disruptive. ASUS co-CEO S.Y. Hsu even called the Neo a “shock” to the Windows PC market that was prompting both manufacturers as well as key parnters like AMD, Intel, and Microsoft to change their strategies.
Intel recently outlined Project Firefly, an initiative that would ensure more consistent, Neo-like designs and pricing across Core Series 3-based laptops. They should not only be thin and light, but offer “clean” and “compelling” designs, Intel says. There will also be efforts to cut costs and improve repairability.
It’s not yet certain how well Snapdragon C performs compared to the A18 Pro in Apple’s starter MacBook or Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 line.
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Performance is secondary to Qualcomm expanding its audience, however. To date, Snapdragon X- and X2-based laptops have largely been aimed at mid-range and premium buyers willing to trade some app compatibility for possible battery and speed gains. Now, Qualcomm finally has an option for people who want these potential ARM advantages but still have tight spending limits.
This might prove more successful than past efforts, which left x86 chips dominating the Windows PC market. App support matters less in the budget PC realm than battery life and price. With that said, the quality of individual models will play an important role. Acer’s Aspire Go 15 is housed in plastic, not aluminum, and has a lower-resolution screen than the Neo despite its larger size — apart from the chip, it’s not a category-defying product.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
