We're on the cusp of a big change for Windows laptops. Microsoft, Qualcomm, and hardware partners have just introduced the first wave of Qualcomm Snapdragon X PCs, with a whopping 14 laptops from seven manufacturers, and there are more to come in the future.

With Arm's signature efficiency, these Qualcomm chips promise to deliver performance that rivals or exceeds what AMD and Intel have offered in the past while using significantly less power, especially in standby. We've seen how great Arm can be thanks to Apple and the M series of processors that started back in 2020. Every Mac and iPad the company has introduced since then has stood out with incredible performance and efficiency, putting Windows devices to shame in many ways.

Now, the Snapdragon X series is poised to change the game and even the playing field for Windows. And while we've only seen laptops so far, it could go much further than that. Here's why.

Why the Snapdragon X chips are so good for laptops

All-day battery life is finally a reality

The reason why we've seen Arm processors debut in laptops almost exclusively (it even happened with Apple back in 2020) is that these are the kinds of devices where the benefits are easiest to reap. The big selling point of Arm compared to the x86-based processors of Intel and AMD is the power efficiency. That means you get a similar level of performance, and usually exceed it, while using a lot less power. For a laptop, that means battery life increases significantly, and so, if you want to take a laptop with you to work or school, you no longer need a charger. You can use it away from the wall all day, and on top of that, the performance reduction that comes from using a laptop unplugged is less noticeable compared to AMD and Intel processors, which tend to throttle aggressively to preserve battery life.

Arm processors are also especially efficient at handling background tasks. You might be familiar with the "hot bag" problem, where you put your laptop into your bag in sleep mode, only to feel the bag heating up over time. x86 processors don't work well with modern standby capabilities that allow them to stay connected to the internet. This means they run hotter than they should, and since they're in your bag, they can't be cooled properly. I've seen some laptops get very hot from this.

With Arm, these backgrounds tasks are handled more efficiently with less heat being generated. If you have a phone, you already know this, because phones also use Arm processors, and you generally can get notifications, calls, and updates with your phone in your pocket without it heating up. This is bringing that same behavior to laptops.

But desktop PCs can also benefit

I really want a mini PC with Snapdragon

While laptops are the primary beneficiaries of Arm processors, though, I'm almost more excited to see this kind of chip come to mini PCs. I love mini PCs, and they usually power my office setup because they're so compact and make the perfect centerpiece to keep your desk clean.

Two of the things that I love about mini PCs is that they're small and they use less power than a large desktop tower, and the Snapdragon X processors help with this, too. Since they're more efficient, they can reduce my energy consumption that much more, which is a pretty big benefit on its own. Sure, power consumption may not matter as much when there's no battery to worry about, but I still like saving money on electricity.

Plus, since they use less power, these processors are less prone to heating up, and in turn, they can make do with a smaller cooling solution. Strangely enough, despite its name, Apple's Mac Mini isn't really a small computer in the world of mini PCs. If I could get something as small as the Khadas Mind (or even smaller) but with extra performance, that would be fantastic.

Gaming handhelds can become a serious Switch competitor

In the distant future, maybe

Finally, there's PC gaming handhelds, a booming market that's been getting a lot of attention lately. A problem with a lot of these units, however, is that the x86 processors inside them require beefy cooling solution and they have less than stellar battery life (with the exception of the Steam Deck, which is very carefully tuned to be more efficient).

Much like I've mentioned above, the Snapdragon X processors can help these handhelds cut down on size and power consumption, and the benefits here are just as crucial as they are on laptops. These processors could greatly extend the life of your gaming handhelds, and you can more easily put your console to sleep or wake it up in a flash without worrying about background battery use. The Nintendo Switch already uses Arm processors, and it's the king of battery life compared to other handhelds.

However, this is a change that will take a while longer to happen. Games are very complex pieces of software that have been designed for x86 hardware for ages, so making the transition to Arm is something that can't happen overnight. It will likely take years before an Arm gaming handheld can become viable in the Windows space, but the foundation for that to happen is being laid now.

I've never been this excited about Windows PCs

It may sound like an exaggeration, but the introduction of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips is the most exciting period I can recall as a fan of Windows PCs. I've been jealous of MacBooks since the Apple M1 made its debut in 2020, and Windows laptops finally have something to compete with them. And since there's such a varied ecosystem of Windows devices, I can't wait to see everything manufacturers do with these new processors. It's going to be great.