One of Qualcomm’s indeniable strengths are its 5G modems – one thing which even Apple has but to efficiently ween itself from. And whereas Qualcomm just isn’t integrating a modem into its first-generation Oryon-based Snapdragon X chips, the corporate continues to be seeking to leverage that expertise benefit by way of discrete modems that may be put in in Snapdragon X laptops.
To date, Qualcomm has received 23 laptop computer designs with its Snapdragon X Elite SoCs, and all the main PC distributors have launched techniques based mostly on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processors. However, solely a few of them shall be geared up with modems, the corporate detailed at Computex 2024.
While the technical rationale for that is very easy (not each vendor needs to purchase and dedicate the area to modems), it is nonetheless a little bit of a shock in as a lot as Qualcomm has historically closely pushed laptop computer distributors to incorporate their modems. But because the Snapdragon X has entered the image, the joint Qualcomm/Microsoft at all times linked PC (ACPC) initiative is taking a again seat – that means modems are now not being pushed almost as arduous. In its place, the 2 firms have pivoted arduous to equipping mainstream techniques with the {hardware} wanted for native AI processing (i.e. NPUs), and with it, Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC branding.
Laptop producers, within the meantime, are respiration a sigh of reduction, as this swap to emphasizing AI comes at a a lot decrease {hardware} value, since distributors need not purchase extra discrete {hardware}. Qualcomm for its half has by no means absolutely disclosed the total value of together with a Snapdragon modem with a laptop computer, however the whole value provides up rapidly. Besides shopping for a discrete modem, gadget producers additionally want to purchase and combine a 5G-capable radio frequency entrance finish module (RF FEM), in addition to the all-important antenna. And mmWave help of any type can add one other wrinkle, as a number of antennas at totally different orientations are wanted to get the most effective outcomes.
And whereas not stated out-loud, Qualcomm’s premium positioning technique for 8cx-based laptops has not paid vital dividends. Snapdragon X laptops are being priced way more competitively, as Qualcomm is aiming to seize a significant share of the PC market – and high-cost options like modems would drive up the ultimate price ticket.
Still, nearly all Qualcomm representatives I talked to at Computex had been comfortable to argue that an built-in modem is a big profit for his or her PCs, as they will get quick connectivity virtually in every single place on the planet immediately and never rely on Wi-Fi and even their smartphones. So the dream of widespread 5G-capable laptops just isn’t lifeless at Qualcomm; it could simply be delayed. In the meantime, for laptop computer patrons that do want or desire a 5G modem, there’ll nonetheless be at the least a couple of premium laptop computer fashions on retailer cabinets with the mandatory {hardware}.
