What is ARM?
ARM stands for "Advanced RISC Machine" and refers to a family of CPUs based on the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture. Unlike traditional x86 processors used in most PCs, ARM processors are designed for energy efficiency and are commonly found in smartphones, tablets, and increasingly, in laptops. ARM chips use a simplified set of instructions, allowing for lower power consumption and cooler operation, making them ideal for mobile and always-connected devices.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors have long dominated the mobile SoC (System on Chip) landscape. Initially crafted for smartphones, they have now expanded into wearables, automotive, IoT, and even personal computers. With Microsoft's push towards ARM-based Windows PCs, Snapdragon has become a focal point in the broader computing industry. This article takes a deep dive into how Snapdragon began, evolved, its strengths and weaknesses, and why Windows on Snapdragon is different from what most PC users expect.
The Birth of Snapdragon
Early Beginnings
Snapdragon was introduced in 2007 by Qualcomm as a response to the growing need for more capable and efficient processors in mobile devices. At the time, the mobile chip market was highly fragmented, with players like Texas Instruments (OMAP), NVIDIA (Tegra), and Samsung (Exynos) competing for dominance.
The first commercially available Snapdragon chip was the QSD8250, launched in 2008. It featured a 1 GHz Scorpion CPU (custom ARMv7 design), integrated 3G modem, and was fabricated using a 65nm process. It marked a new era for mobile computing by offering a comprehensive package with CPU, GPU (Adreno), and modem in one chip.
Integration as a Philosophy
Qualcomm’s key differentiator was its vertical integration. Snapdragon chips included not only the CPU and GPU but also modems, ISPs (Image Signal Processors), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), and more. This tight integration led to better power efficiency and performance optimization.
Evolution Over Time
Snapdragon 800 Series
The 800 series, starting with the Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974) in 2013, marked Qualcomm’s move into high-performance computing. This chip introduced Krait 400 cores, improved Adreno 330 GPU, and support for 4K video. It quickly became the standard for flagship Android devices.
Subsequent generations brought significant improvements:
Snapdragon 835 (2017): First 10nm chip, used in Samsung Galaxy S8.
Snapdragon 845 (2018): Major GPU and AI enhancements.
Snapdragon 888 (2020): Integrated 5G modem, 5nm process.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (2021): Rebranding of naming scheme, with a focus on AI and imaging.
Beyond Smartphones
Qualcomm began expanding Snapdragon into new markets:
Snapdragon Wear for smartwatches.
Snapdragon XR for VR/AR.
Snapdragon Automotive for infotainment and ADAS.
Snapdragon Compute for laptops and Windows on ARM.
Snapdragon for Windows
The Push for ARM PCs
Microsoft introduced Windows on ARM in 2017 with the goal of combining Windows' versatility with the efficiency of ARM processors. Snapdragon was a natural partner due to its mobile heritage.
Key releases included:
Snapdragon 835: Used in early Always Connected PCs.
Snapdragon 8cx: First chip designed specifically for laptops.
Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 / Gen 3: Incremental improvements.
Snapdragon X Elite (2024): Qualcomm’s flagship push against Apple M-series and Intel.
The ISO Issue: Why You Can’t Use Standard Windows
Unlike x86 PCs, Snapdragon-powered devices:
Use ARM64 UEFI, requiring signed firmware.
Need specific device drivers baked into the Windows image.
Have Secure Boot and locked bootloaders.
Often require custom Windows images from OEMs.
Standard ISO images downloaded from Microsoft’s website will not work unless slipstreamed with appropriate drivers. Enthusiasts face challenges even trying to dual-boot or reinstall.
Hardware Ecosystem
Devices Using Snapdragon for Windows
Microsoft Surface Pro X
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s
HP Elite Folio
Acer Spin 7 (5G)
These devices offer:
All-day battery life (12–20 hours typical usage)
Instant-on capabilities
Integrated LTE/5G
Fanless, thin designs
Limitations
Despite the appeal, there are warnings:
Limited native app support (especially legacy enterprise tools)
Emulation layer for x86/x64 apps is slower
No support for unsigned drivers or kernel extensions
Gaming is generally poor due to lack of GPU driver support and x64 emulation lag
The Good
Power Efficiency: ARM cores, integrated components reduce battery drain.
Always-Connected: Built-in modems for 4G/5G.
Fanless Design: Completely silent operation.
Security: Hardware-based security features, better for enterprise.
AI Acceleration: Dedicated NPU improves camera, voice, and UI responsiveness.
The Bad
Compatibility Issues: Some apps, games, and peripherals don’t work.
Locked Bootloaders: No tinkering, modding, or alternative OS installation.
Lower Raw Performance: Still behind x86 in multi-threaded tasks until Snapdragon X Elite.
Driver Issues: Many peripherals require x86 drivers which aren’t compatible.
Recent Advances
Snapdragon X Elite and Windows 11 ARM
In 2024, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X Elite:
12-core Oryon CPU
Built on 4nm process
2x performance-per-watt vs Intel Core i7
Advanced NPU with 45 TOPS for AI workloads
Microsoft has also improved Windows 11 on ARM:
Better x64 app emulation
Native ARM64 Office and Adobe apps
Dev tools like Visual Studio, .NET, and WSL now ARM-native
Future Outlook
With Apple’s M-series proving the viability of ARM in laptops, Qualcomm and Microsoft are betting big. Snapdragon chips could become a mainstay in education, enterprise, and even mainstream consumer markets.
Success hinges on:
Broader app support
Better developer tools
Transparent driver and firmware update paths
More open platforms for power users
Conclusion
Qualcomm's Snapdragon has evolved from a mobile-first chip to a formidable contender in the PC space. While there are real benefits, efficiency, connectivity, silence, there are also hurdles that must be overcome. Microsoft and Qualcomm are clearly invested in an ARM future, and as support grows, Snapdragon may finally step out from under the shadow of Intel and AMD.
If you're considering a Snapdragon-powered PC, it's critical to understand both its promise and its current limitations. The landscape is changing fast—and this time, ARM might just stick.