At the end of last year, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8cxplatform, dedicated for Windows 10 PCs. While the Snapdragon 8cx has been slated to power high-end always-connected PCs like Lenovo’s 5G-enabled Project Limitless, there is also another computing chip that Qualcomm is developing as a more affordable option in PCs.
In an interview with Mobile Tech Podcast, Qualcomm Global Product Marketing VP, Don McGuire has revealed the company is working on a Snapdragon Compute Platform which is provisionally named as the Snapdragon 7cx. Upon its release, the Snapdragon 7cx will be a dedicated PC chipset, much like the Snapdragon 8cx but for lower cost PCs.
McGuire disclosed that these lower-end PCs powered by the upcoming computing chip will be ranging between $300 (approx. Rs 21,000) and $800 (approx. Rs 55,500) with the 8cx aiming at laptops above the stated price tag.
Qualcomm is yet to release the specifications of the Snapdragon 7cx platform. But keeping in mind that Snapdragon 8cx was released as an alternative to Intel’s U-series Core i5 processors, the Snapdragon 7cx could be something that rivals Intel’s lower-end Atom, Celeron or Core i3 processors.
McGuire gave the example of Google saying the Mountain View company was first interested in developing an Arm-optimised Chrome Browser but halted the process owing to low sales figures of the Snapdragon 835 and 850. However, the Qualcomm executive seems hopeful that Google might change its mind with the performance of the Snapdragon 8cx and 7cx.
While we expect PC makers to ship their upcoming computers with the Snapdragon 8cx later this year, it might be a while till the 7cx hits the market.