Why would I buy a MacBook over a Snapdragon X Elite Windows laptop

For anyone considering a new ARM-based laptop in 2024, MacBooks and Snapdragon X Elite laptops are two popular options. Personally, though, I’d choose a MacBook over any Windows laptop with a Snapdragon today.

1 Optimized software and hardware integration

Although many Snapdragon X Elite laptops are compared to MacBooks, none of them have the same level of optimization when it comes to both software and hardware integration. Unlike most Windows laptops, where the hardware and operating system are built by separate companies, Apple seamlessly integrates macOS with its Apple silicon chips.

This allows Apple to create high-end laptops that take full advantage of the hardware underneath. Because Apple develops both hardware and software, MacBooks do a phenomenal job in terms of performance, memory management, and battery life.

In contrast, the Snapdragon X Elite Windows notebooks — while impressive — rely on Qualcomm’s ARM processors paired with an operating system that wasn’t designed specifically for ARM. Yes, Windows on ARM has improved, but it often faces software stability issues because it runs on a platform originally designed for x86 processors.

2 Higher energy efficiency

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To add to the first point, MacBooks are more energy efficient than most laptops, allowing for longer battery life per charge. Apple’s ARM-based silicon running on RISC architecture makes it easy to develop and run software with high power efficiency. This is why the MacBook Air can run entirely on passive cooling, and why MacBook Pros are quieter than most Windows laptops when running the same applications.

Since the Snapdragon X Elite laptops also use ARM-based hardware, you’ll still get excellent power efficiency. However, Windows itself is more resource-intensive and does not yet take full advantage of ARM’s power-saving capabilities. This means that Snapdragon Windows laptops tend to lag behind the incredible battery management of MacBooks.

So if you want a cooler, quieter laptop with longer battery life, the MacBook would be a better choice – at least for now.

3 Software compatibility

Software compatibility is another advantage of the MacBook over the Snapdragon X Elite Windows laptop. During the two-year transition from Intel to Apple silicon processors that began in late 2020, Apple provided developers with tools to create universal applications that do not require emulation. Meanwhile, software designed for older Intel Macs could effortlessly run on Apple’s silicon Macs with Rosetta 2 emulation.

Since many universal apps are now available and the Rosetta 2 emulation allows you to run older apps, software compatibility on MacBooks is simply better than on Snapdragon X Elite Windows laptops.

It’s not that simple with Snapdragon X Elite laptops. Windows on ARM can also emulate x86 applications, but their emulation is not as sophisticated as Rosetta 2. This means that performance may vary and you may experience additional problems or lags when running older applications, which can be frustrating if you rely on specific software. for work or creative projects.

With macOS, you get a stable environment where most apps run smoothly, whether they’re ARM-optimized or not.

4 Security and privacy

Apple has made security a cornerstone of the MacBook experience. Apple’s silicon MacBooks have several built-in security features like Secure Enclave, FileVault, and iCloud Private Relay to keep your data safe. Secure Enclave protects encryption keys, FileVault provides full disk encryption, and Private Relay ensures online privacy by masking IP addresses and encrypting traffic.

These features are standard on MacBooks and offer peace of mind for privacy-conscious users. In contrast, Snapdragon X Elite laptops don’t come with the same level of hardware security. Windows security relies heavily on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and the operating system’s software security tools. While effective, they can’t quite match the level of hardware integration that Apple offers.

5 Quality keyboard and trackpad

The keyboard and trackpad are essential parts of a laptop, and MacBooks excel in this area. Apple has fine-tuned its keyboards and trackpads over the years with precise feedback, tactile keys, and a large, responsive Force Touch surface that supports a wide range of gestures. Typing on the MacBook is smooth and consistent, and the trackpad is one of the best you’ll find on any laptop.

Keyboard and trackpad quality may vary on Windows laptops, including those with Snapdragon X Elite processors. Since these laptops are made by different manufacturers, there is no guarantee that you will get a quality typing or trackpad experience. Some manufacturers, such as Lenovo and Dell, excel in this department, but others fall behind, leading to discrepancies between Windows laptops.

Ultimately, the MacBooks provide a more cohesive and polished experience than the Snapdragon X Elite notebooks. I have no doubt that ARM-based Windows laptops will be a great choice in the future, but if I had to choose between a Snapdragon X Elite laptop and a MacBook Air or Pro today, I’d choose the latter.