HXL has shared some early benchmarks for the Surface Laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor

Microsoft recently debuted its new Surface Laptop featuring ARM-based Snapdragon System on Chips (SoCs), specifically the Snapdragon X Elite processor. These laptops are currently available for pre-order, with shipping set to commence in July. This means that while anticipation builds, there is still some time before consumers and tech enthusiasts can get their hands on the devices and evaluate the real-life performance of the new chipset.

In the meantime, hardware enthusiast HXL has shared some early benchmarks for the Surface Laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor. These benchmarks suggest that the new processor might be competitive with Apple’s M2 chip. The benchmark in question was run using CPU-Z on a Surface Laptop 7 equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 SoC. Because CPU-Z isn't available on MacBooks, HXL booted a virtual Windows 11 environment to run the benchmark on an M2-powered device.

It’s important to note that running benchmarks on virtual machines can introduce performance overhead, which might affect the accuracy of the results, particularly for the M2 chip. Therefore, the comparative data should be taken with a grain of salt. 

Despite this caveat, the benchmark results were intriguing. The Surface Laptop 7 with the Snapdragon X Elite scored a significantly higher multi-threaded score of 7,923.5 points compared to the M2’s 3,822.3 points in the virtual machine. However, the M2 chip held a slight edge in single-threaded performance, scoring 749.5 points versus the Snapdragon X Elite’s 686.0 points.

These results indicate that the Snapdragon X Elite could potentially outperform some of the current offerings from both Intel and AMD, positioning itself as a strong competitor in the ARM-based processor market. This is particularly notable as it represents one of the first real-world comparisons between Qualcomm’s ARM-based processors and Apple’s silicon.

The Snapdragon X Elite processors promise not only high performance but also efficient power consumption, which is crucial for devices like the Surface Laptop that emphasize thin-and-light designs and extended battery life. This positions the Snapdragon X Elite laptops as a viable alternative for users who might otherwise consider Apple’s MacBooks but prefer the flexibility and familiarity of the Windows ecosystem.

Moreover, Qualcomm's announcement of official Linux support for the Snapdragon X processors adds another layer of appeal, particularly for users and developers who prefer open-source operating systems. This broadens the potential user base for devices powered by Snapdragon processors, offering a compelling choice for those seeking versatility in their computing environments.

While these initial benchmarks are promising, further data and comprehensive reviews will be necessary to fully understand how the Snapdragon X Elite compares to Apple’s M-series chips in a variety of real-world scenarios. Performance metrics such as battery life, thermal efficiency, and application compatibility will all play crucial roles in determining the overall competitiveness of the Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface Laptops.

In summary, the early benchmarks of Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop featuring the Snapdragon X Elite processor suggest that it could be a formidable competitor to Apple’s M2 chip, especially in multi-threaded performance. With official Linux support and the promise of efficient, high-performance computing, the Snapdragon X Elite processors could offer a compelling alternative for users looking for powerful, versatile, and battery-efficient laptops. As the July shipping date approaches, the tech community will be eagerly awaiting more detailed reviews and performance data to confirm these early findings.

benchmark in question was run using CPU-Z on a Surface Laptop 7 equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 SoC