The big picture: Microsoft and Qualcomm touted the Snapdragon X laptops as a significant milestone for Windows on Arm, potentially akin to the introduction of Apple Silicon. However, recent market analysis suggests that PCs featuring Qualcomm's chips are struggling to catch on as x86-based alternatives dominate AI PC sales.
TechRadar reports that sales of laptops featuring Qualcomm's Arm-based Snapdragon X processors reached only around 720,000 units in the third quarter of 2024, their first full quarter on the market. The number represents less than 0.8 percent of Q3 PC shipments or about 1 out of every 120+ devices.
As the first PCs to support Microsoft's Copilot GenAI features, laptops featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Pro and Elite chips represent the tip of the company's AI PC spear. However, data from Canalys indicates that AI PCs are increasing their market presence primarily through the latest x86 processors from Intel and AMD.
Manufacturers describe PCs featuring NPUs capable of at least 40 TOPs as AI PCs. Qualifying architectures include Snapdragon X, Intel's Core Ultra 200, AMD's Ryzen AI 300, and arguably Apple's M4.
A Canalys report from earlier this month indicates that AI PCs represented 20 percent of all PCs shipped in Q3. The figure marks an increase of 49 percent compared to Q2, likely due to the increased availability of AI PCs.
Also Read: Arm vs Qualcomm: mutually assured destruction
However, consumer enthusiasm for AI PCs and GenAI functionality remains lukewarm. The Intel and AMD devices that likely represent around half of AI PC shipments do not yet support Microsoft's Copilot toolchain.
Furthermore, prior impressions of Snapdragon X laptops indicate that improved battery life, often reaching a full day, is their primary selling point. Canalys predicts that Windows 10's impending end-of-life status will spark a significant sales uptick, as users merely trying to upgrade to Windows 11 end up with AI PCs.
The analysts told TechRadar Pro that, although Snapdragon X PC sales grew 180 percent between Q2 and Q3, their penetration remains niche. Microsoft's new Surface devices lead the pack, followed by Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer.
Affordability might be one obstacle, as most Snapdragon X laptops cost at least $900. Qualcomm hopes to lower the barrier of entry to around $700 in 2025.
Despite Qualcomm's sluggish early commercial performance, it won't remain the only manufacturer offering Arm chips for Windows PCs. Arm previously indicated that more manufacturers aim to enter the AI PC market in the coming years, one of which is likely Nvidia.
Only around 720,000 Snapdragon X laptops sold in Q3, less than one percent of PC market
