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Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon C to Power $300 Windows Laptops

The new low‑cost Arm platform aims to deliver long battery life and basic on‑device AI while leaving out Microsoft’s full Copilot+ features.

Overview

  • Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon C platform on May 28, 2026, pitching Windows laptops that start around $300 and target students, families, and small businesses.
  • The chip uses Kryo‑derived mobile cores rather than Qualcomm’s higher‑performance Oryon cores to prioritize energy efficiency and cool, quiet designs.
  • Snapdragon C includes an integrated neural processing unit for local AI tasks, but Qualcomm confirmed the platform will not meet Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC requirements.
  • Acer unveiled the first Snapdragon C device, the Aspire Go 15, which lists up to 8GB of RAM, 512GB storage, a 15.6‑inch 1080p screen, dual full‑function USB‑C, HDMI 1.4, Wi‑Fi 6E, a 1080p webcam and a 53Wh battery.
  • Qualcomm says Acer, HP, and Lenovo will ship Snapdragon C laptops later in 2026, though vendors have released few benchmarks, firm prices, or exact ship dates, leaving performance and real‑world value still to be proven.