Qualcomm said on the 29th that it unveiled a new processor, the "Snapdragon C platform," aimed at the budget PC market. The strategy is to target price-sensitive consumers such as students, general households, and small business owners, and to begin in earnest expanding its share in the entry-level laptop market around the $300 range.
Unlike the high-performance premium Snapdragon X series, the new product focuses on delivering AI features and power efficiency at an affordable price. Equipped with an Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that handles On-device AI computation, it is designed so that even budget devices can use AI-based features, a key differentiator. Support for low heat, low noise operation and long battery life in everyday use cases such as web browsing, video streaming, and document work is also cited as a major feature.
With this launch, Qualcomm is laying the groundwork to make a full-fledged entry into the budget laptop chip market long led by Intel and AMD, using an ARM-based architecture. According to the industry, entry-level laptops priced around $300 account for a significant share of global PC shipments, with steady demand especially in emerging markets and the education sector.
Kedar Kondap, Qualcomm senior vice president and head of compute and gaming, said, "As device expense burdens rise and consumer expectations increase, Snapdragon C broadens choice by combining value for money, battery life, AI features, and responsiveness into one platform," adding, "We will help more users enjoy a stable and efficient, modern computing experience."
Systems based on the Snapdragon C platform are scheduled to roll out to the global market through major OEM partners in the second half of this year. The industry expects major PC makers such as Asus, Lenovo, and HP to introduce new product lineups powered by the chip.