Why don’t I buy a windows laptop with these new processors
The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors intrigued me because I rely on a Windows laptop for most of my day-to-day tasks. However, after weighing the pros and cons, I won’t be making the change – at least not yet. Here’s why.
1 Limited gaming options
While the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips excel in productivity tasks, gaming performance leaves a lot to be desired. Many popular titles won’t run on these ARM processors, so gamers can’t play their favorite games on the go.
Even when games do manage to launch, they often suffer from crashes and poor performance, as the video above shows. Some game samples running smoothly on this processor are likely due to game-specific optimizations rather than the processor’s inherent capabilities.
Compatibility issues and the subpar performance of the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors plague most gaming experiences on laptops. Tweaking the settings does little to improve the frame rate, as the underlying problem lies in the functionality of the chip.
These limitations apply to someone who values gaming on the go. Not everyone prefers to play PC games on the go, but those who do may want to consider alternative processors with better integrated graphics performance for gaming.
2 Slow emulation hinders productivity with non-native applications
These processors easily handle native ARM applications, but the story changes when it comes to non-native applications. The Microsoft Prism emulator, built into Windows on ARM machines, attempts to bridge the gap. However, the results are mixed at best.
When installing traditional x64 programs, Prism runs in the background to allow compatibility, but emulation comes at a cost: performance. That’s why you should always check the compatibility of the software you want to install – the Windows 11 on ARM website is a great resource.
Applications running through Prism, including productivity tools like Asana and media players like Plex, often suffer a noticeable slowdown compared to their performance on x64 CPUs. Slow UI navigation and delayed response times can be frustrating, especially for someone like me who relies on these apps for day-to-day work.
Both the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus struggle with non-native apps, which is a major red flag, so I’m hesitant to have these chips in my primary work machine. The performance hit isn’t just a minor inconvenience; can significantly reduce productivity.
3 Performance and compatibility issues with specialized software
I often rely on specialized software for my projects. Unfortunately, the Snapdragon X Elite (like the X Plus) struggles to keep up with the demands of these applications, making it a less than ideal choice for professionals.
CAD software like SolidWorks runs on this CPU, but only through emulation. The performance is serviceable for occasional part editing on the go, but it falls short of the smooth desktop experience I’m used to. Other CAD software faces similar emulation-related performance issues.
It doesn’t get any better when it comes to video editing. Adobe Premiere Pro suffers from crashes and poor performance on Snapdragon’s X Elite and X Plus chips. When it works, the experience is far from pleasant. Qualcomm’s promise of Adobe Creative Suite support appears to be limited to Photoshop and graphic design applications, leaving video editors in the lurch as programs like Adobe After Effects aren’t even available on the processor yet.
While ARM Snapdragon processors may be suitable for basic tasks, performance and compatibility issues with specialized software make them a hard sell for professionals.
4 Future concerns due to uncertain ecosystem development
When I invest in a new laptop, I want to make sure it remains relevant and capable for the next few years. However, Qualcomm’s ARM-based ecosystem leaves me questioning its long-term viability.
While these chips are promising, the limited number of native ARM applications and reliance on emulation for x64 programs raise concerns about future support. As developers focus on x64 and Apple’s M-series chips, the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips may struggle to keep pace.
The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors show promise in certain areas, but their limitations in gaming, emulation, and specialized software make them a hard sell for power users looking for the best Windows laptops for their needs.