Qualcomm has introduced a new eight-core Snapdragon X Plus chip that’s making waves by offering a more affordable entry point for Windows laptops. Laptops equipped with this chip, like the Asus Vivobook S 15 and Dell Inspiron 14, now start at just $899, shaving at least $100 off previous models that used more powerful chips. The Asus Vivobook is already available at Best Buy, and other major brands like Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung are expected to release models soon.

While the new Snapdragon X Plus chip carries many of the same features as its 10-core and 12-core counterparts, it does have some compromises. It’s less powerful in graphics, offering less than half the GPU power, making it less ideal for gaming or graphic-intensive applications. Additionally, the chip has 12MB less CPU cache, which might impact certain tasks, though it still retains 45 TOPS of AI performance from the Neural Processing Unit (NPU). According to Qualcomm’s internal tests, the new chip delivers about 80% of the performance of the 12-core model for most tasks, though graphics processing sees a sharper drop.

Despite these trade-offs, the cost savings make the Snapdragon X Plus an attractive option for entry-level laptop buyers. For example, the Asus Vivobook S 15, originally priced at $1,300 with a 12-core chip, is now available for $900 with the eight-core chip. While the lower price comes with some reductions—like half the storage (512GB instead of 1TB)—the laptop still boasts the same impressive 3K OLED screen and 70-watt-hour battery. 

Other manufacturers are jumping on board with the Snapdragon X Plus. Acer has a $999 Swift Go 14 AI laptop, and Samsung is set to release a new 15-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge in October. Qualcomm has hinted that we might see laptops priced as low as $700 in 2025, making high-performance laptops even more accessible.

Qualcomm’s new chip lineup is a step towards making powerful laptops more affordable, even if it comes with some performance compromises in the GPU department. For users who prioritize value over high-end gaming or graphic capabilities, these new laptops provide a great balance between cost and performance.