After Microsoft, now it’s Qualcomm who is working on a new ARM processor for computers to compete with Apple M1. Under the internal nomenclature Snapdragon SC8280, Qualcomm would be preparing a new high-end SoC with ARM architecture.
This version would be specially designed for laptops with Windows operating system and could be launched this year to compete with Apple’s M1.
Apple has for some months put on the market the first Mac notebooks based on ARM architecture, equipped with M1 chip developed internally by the company. The behavior of these systems has surprised, thanks to the balance between speed performance and consumption, confirming how the ARM architecture can represent a valid alternative to the x86 one even in areas typically of competence of the latter.
Snapdragon SC8280 would be an evolution of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, which is being the last to appear on the market. They are the most advanced to date on Windows devices. In fact, they have come to be incorporated into the Surface Pro X.
Qualcomm’s new proposal would considerably improve some restrictions, such as the amount of RAM with which it is compatible. The new Snapdragon SC8280 SoC could work with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 type RAM. This type of memory offers up to twice the speed of the Snapdragon 8cx with LPDDR4X memories.
The new SC8280 would also be slightly larger in size. Specifically, it would measure 20 x 17 millimeters, a slight increase compared to current models, which measure 20 x 15 millimeters. These data also show the possibility of an internal redesign and a greater number of cores compared to current versions.
Qualcomm, as is known, wants to offer a family of chips specially dedicated to Windows 10 ARM. Until now, their solutions were based on smartphone-oriented processors, but that could change in the future. And the SC8280 could be another step on that path.
