Despite its high-tech ambitions, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X laptops are struggling to gain traction in the PC market. Since their launch, less than 720,000 units have been sold, representing less than 0.8% of the total PCs shipped globally in Q3 2024.
This marks a niche presence, with fewer than 1 in 125 devices sold featuring the Snapdragon X platform.
Market Share and Competition
Although Snapdragon X devices saw a 180% growth in Q3 compared to the previous quarter, their overall share of the Windows PC market remains under 1.5%.
Microsoft’s Surface line leads the way in adopting Snapdragon X, followed by companies like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus.
Growth in AI-Capable PCs
On the broader front, AI-capable PCs have seen a surge, making up 20% of all PC shipments in Q3 2024. This category includes machines equipped with AI-focused chipsets, such as Qualcomm’s Hexagon, Intel’s AI Boost, and AMD’s XDNA. Despite this growth, adoption remains cautious, with channel partners expressing hesitancy towards premium AI-driven PCs like Microsoft’s Copilot+.
Vendor Strategies and Challenges
To stand out, vendors like HP and Lenovo are focusing on improving on-device AI experiences, while Apple continues to leverage its ecosystem.
However, with Windows 10 support ending soon, PC makers face pressure to upgrade users still relying on older devices.
