Qualcomm has scrapped its long-anticipated Snapdragon X Elite developer kit, originally designed to allow early testing of Windows on Arm systems. The company, admitting the product fell far short of expectations, has started refunding customers who pre-ordered the device, even if they received one already.
Planned as a budget-friendly option for developers, the Snapdragon X Elite mini PC was aimed at supporting the Copilot+ PCs ecosystem, which promises enhanced AI features and better battery performance on Windows. With an initial price of $899, the device was marketed as an entry point for those not wanting to spend thousands on high-end laptops featuring the same processor.
A Botched Launch and Design Issues
When it was first shown off in May, Qualcomm promised that the dev kit would start shipping by mid-June. However, those plans unraveled quickly. Several buyers, including developer Jeff Geerling, complained about delays. The device ultimately launched with a number of last-minute changes, such as swapping out the HDMI port for a USB-C to HDMI adapter—a move that raised eyebrows.
Teardowns of the dev kit revealed more troubling signs. Geerling noted there was an empty space on the board where an HDMI port was supposed to be, as well as an unused converter chip. These signs suggest the removal was done late in development, potentially leading to the delays. Other units were labeled “not FCC approved for resale,” further muddying the release.
Refunds and Qualcomm’s Statement
Facing growing backlash, Qualcomm decided to pull the plug entirely. In an email sent to customers including Geerling, the company stated that the dev kit failed to meet “our standards of excellence” and that all pre-orders would be refunded.
Customers won’t be required to send back the devices, though Qualcomm will no longer offer support for the product. The company has also closed the webpage that was the online home for the device, with now an empty page in its place.
The statement added that Qualcomm remains committed to working with developers and encouraged anyone still interested in Windows on Arm to explore other Snapdragon-powered systems. It also pointed developers to their portal and Discord community for further engagement.
The Future of Windows on Arm
The canceled dev kit doesn’t mean Qualcomm is giving up on Windows running on Arm-based processors. In fact, over 30 devices featuring Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus chips have already hit the market, and the company is eager to continue pushing its vision for AI-enhanced computing and long-lasting battery life.
But the cancellation raises some questions about Qualcomm’s ability to handle its own hardware releases. This would have been the company’s first publicly available mini PC, and its decision to cancel the product suggests it may leave hardware manufacturing to third-party companies in the future.
Snapdragon X Elite in a Crowded Market
Despite this setback, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is still one of the standout processors in the Windows on Arm lineup. Found in popular laptops like the Surface Pro 11 and Lenovo Yoga Slim, it competes directly with Intel’s latest chips, which have also seen efficiency gains thanks to the new Lunar Lake architecture.
That said, competition in the laptop chip space is fiercer than ever. While Qualcomm has focused more on lower-end products in recent announcements, Intel has managed to close the performance gap, particularly in terms of power efficiency, which was once the primary selling point for Arm-based processors.
Microsoft says it will introduce Copilot+ support for Intel and AMD processors in November. Pavan Davuluri, leading Windows and devices at Microsoft, confirmed the eligibility of devices with Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors for the update starting in November.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite has already caused other problems. I reported on a lack of gaming performance on top titles, despite the specifications of the hardware. Earlier this month it emerged Snapdragon X Elite cannot output 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate on external monitors, despite being marketed with this capability.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:28 pm CET
