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The arrival of Copilot+ systems adds another layer of complexity to the balancing act between cost, performance, and longevity but they aren’t the only option. Budget-friendly Intel-based PCs without Copilot+ offer exceptional value, delivering solid performance without the premium price tag. Some manufacturers are hedging their bets by producing identical form factor Intel based and  Snapdragon® based laptoops. Importantly Intel processors mean they can be used for Intel based virtualisation.

The landscape of personal computing is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and specialised hardware optimised for modern workloads. With the advent of so called AI-powered PCs, consumers now face a new decision: should they opt for a Copilot+ PC equipped with a Snapdragon® processor, or should they stick with an Intel-powered equivalent? This choice is not merely about performance but extends to factors like software compatibility, energy efficiency, and long-term viability.

TL:DR – A friend of mine whos retiring is used to a state of the art pro level Dell Laptop running Windows 11 Pro and managed by his organisation. He wants a new Windows PC, doesn't have that kind of budget, and wants to buy the best he can to last a long long time. So the question is, should he buy a Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon® X Plus or the Snapdragon® X Elite or an equivalent Intel PC to conserve his funds.

Contents

Understanding Copilot+ PCs

What Defines a Copilot+ PC?

Copilot+ PCs represent a new category of AI-integrated computing devices designed to leverage dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) for enhanced performance. These devices are optimised for AI-driven tasks such as real-time transcription, intelligent image processing, and seamless multitasking.

The standard setter - Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Heres an example, the 2024 Microsoft Surface Laptop, 7th Edition, 13.8in Touchscreen, 16GB and 1TB with a 10 core 2.42GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor. It is beautiful to use, the Windows 11 UI is fluid and repsonsive no jank whatsoever. It is a really lovely feeling laptop computer. microsoft have finally knocked it out of the park with this device I'd say. List price is £1649 but you can find it more reasonably at £1444.99, (thats a 12% discount at the time of writing) on Amazon UK.  

Microsoft Surface - Store Demo Screenshot

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus,

16GB RAM

1TB SSD

13.8 Inch Laptop

Not just faster. Smarter. The AI-accelerated Surface Laptop 7th Edition, a Copilot+ PC puts next-generation performance and Copilot+ experiences at your fingertips so you can work, play and create without limits.

  • Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 Processor
  • Integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU Graphics
  • Windows 11 Home
  • Up to 20 hours of battery life
  • 1.34kg
  • Touch Screen IPS WQXGA 2304x1536 at 120Hz
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • WiFi 7, 802.11be
  • 2 x USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 2), 1 x Combo Audio Jack, 1 x USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen 1)

This is still a boatload of money for my retiring friend, so although its perfect in so many ways, its not going to be the one!

Lenovo's new game - spot the difference betwen the IdeaPad Slim 5 Snapdragon vs Intel

Lenovo, prpbably most famous for acquiring theThinkpad brand from IBM and therefore the originator of the PC in the first place. IdeaPad is a brand they have for everyday laptops. They range from high-performance laptops for serious gamers to convertible PCs for those who like their entertainment on the go. TEach Ideapad delivers responsive performance you can count on. But heres the thing. These two Ideapad's are almost indistinguishable, but one is Intel and one is not. They run the same operating system, Windows 11, but only the Qualcomm Snapdragon equipped Ideapad is a Copilot+ PC. At a glance it is very hard to tell the difference between them. Specifications might vary but these two models (83HL and 83DA) are widely available in the UK.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (83HL)

This is £749 as of January 2025 on Amazon.

  • Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
  • Qualcomm Adreno GPU
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • WiFi 7, 11be
  • 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen 1), 2 x USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 2), 1 x HDMI, 1 x Combo Audio Jack, 1 x microSD Card Reader
  • Windows 11 Home
  • 14 inch OLED
  • 1.48 kg

32GB RAM

1TB SSD

14 Inch Laptop

Image
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, Intel Core Ultra 7 (83DA)

This is £799 as of January 2025 on Amazon.

  • Intel Core Ultra 7-155H
  • Intel Arc Graphics
  • Bluetooth 5.2
    • WiFi 6E, 11ax
  • 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen 1), 2 x USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 1), 1 x HDMI, 1 x Audio Combo Jack, 1 x microSD Card Reader
  • Windows 11 Home
  • 14 inch OLED
  • 1.48 kg

16GB RAM

1TB SSD

14 Inch Laptop

In the end, the choice is going to boil down to the applicaitions you use and whether or not you need full hardware Intel x86 instruction set support, for example for virtual machine support.

 But then theres also an Intel Lenovo LOQ Gen 9 (15" Intel)

Lenovo make a lot of computer ranges which are distinct from the ThinkPad. LOQ they say is great for gaming, work, creation & general use and budget friendly. But the most interesting thing about it to me is the full size keyboard with number pad. If thats what you need then its a really interesting laptop!

Image
Lenovo LOQ Gen 9 (15" Intel) (83DV)

This is £1002.99 as of January 2025 on Amazon.

  • 14th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-13650 Processor
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • WiFi 6, 11ax
  • USB-A 3.2 Gen 1. USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort™ 1.4 + 140W Power Delivery), 
  • Headphone / mic combo, E-Shutter button, 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, Ethernet (RJ45), HDMI 2.1
  • Windows 11 Home 64

  • 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 100%sRGB, 300 nits, 144Hz

  • 2.38 kg

16GB RAM

512GB SSD

15 Inch Laptop

Key AI-Driven Features in Copilot+ PCs

Copilot+ PCs come equipped with features like on-device AI-powered assistance, real-time language translation, and intelligent automation for productivity applications. These capabilities enhance user efficiency by offloading computationally intensive AI tasks to dedicated NPUs, reducing CPU load and improving responsiveness.

How Copilot+ PCs Integrate with Windows 11

Windows 11 is deeply integrated with AI, and Copilot+ PCs are specifically engineered to take advantage of these optimisations. Features like Windows Studio Effects for enhanced video conferencing and AI-powered content generation tools work seamlessly with the specialised hardware.

The Role of Snapdragon® in Copilot+ PCs

Overview of Snapdragon® Processors in AI PCs

Qualcomm's Snapdragon® processors are built on the ARM architecture, prioritising power efficiency. They integrate NPUs that handle trillions of operations per second, allowing for advanced AI-driven computing with low power consumption.

Performance Characteristics of Snapdragon® Chips

Snapdragon® processors are known for their exceptional energy efficiency and thermal management. While traditionally seen in mobile devices, their transition to PCs has brought improved battery longevity and fanless designs without compromising performance.

Energy Efficiency and Battery Life Advantages

ARM-based Snapdragon® chips excel in energy efficiency, delivering significantly longer battery life than traditional x86 processors. This makes them an excellent choice for users prioritising portability and endurance.

Connectivity Features: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Always-On Capabilities

Snapdragon®-powered PCs benefit from built-in 5G and Wi-Fi 7 support, enabling ultra-fast internet connectivity and seamless remote work capabilities. These always-on features ensure devices remain connected with minimal latency.

Intel’s Competing AI PC Offerings

Intel’s Approach to AI-Powered Computing

Intel has integrated AI acceleration into its latest Core Ultra processors, leveraging AI-enhanced performance for workloads like image enhancement, content generation, and dynamic power management.

Performance Benchmarks for Intel AI-Enabled Processors

Intel-powered AI PCs deliver high single-threaded performance and broad software compatibility, making them ideal for traditional productivity tasks, gaming, and content creation.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management in Intel-Powered PCs

While Intel has made strides in improving efficiency, its x86 processors typically consume more power than ARM-based Snapdragon® chips, leading to increased thermal output and the need for active cooling solutions. In otherwords they are hotter in operation and need complex ventilation and fans!

Performance Comparison: Snapdragon® vs Intel

CPU and GPU Performance Differences

Snapdragon® excels in efficiency, while Intel delivers superior raw computing power. Intel's x86 architecture remains dominant for CPU-heavy workloads, whereas Snapdragon® shines in lightweight, AI-accelerated tasks.

Real-World Multitasking and Productivity Benchmarks

Intel PCs generally perform well for complex multitasking involving high-end applications. Snapdragon® devices, however, provide a more fluid experience for AI-enhanced workflows.

Gaming and Graphics Capabilities

Intel PCs offer wider support for PC gaming. Snapdragon® struggles with gaming due to software compatibility limitations and less powerful integrated graphics.

AI Features and Acceleration

How Snapdragon® and Intel Implement AI Acceleration

Snapdragon® utilises a dedicated NPU for efficient AI workloads, whereas Intel combines CPU, GPU, and AI accelerators for a more balanced approach.

On-Device AI Capabilities for Productivity and Creativity

Snapdragon® enables real-time AI features like background noise reduction and enhanced image processing, while Intel PCs offer robust AI-enhanced software integration.

Software Compatibility and App Support

Native Windows Support on Snapdragon® vs Intel

Windows 11 runs natively on both architectures, but Intel has the advantage of full x86 application compatibility, which might beimportant for legacy applications and virtual machines, but it might not as you may be able to solve these problems with remote desktop to a legacy machine.

Compatibility with Legacy x86 Applications

Snapdragon® relies on emulation to run legacy x86 apps, leading to performance penalties, whereas Intel runs them natively without issues.

Optimisations for ARM-Based Processing on Windows

Microsoft is investing in ARM optimisation, but Intel remains the only choice for software requiring full x86 compatibility.

Battery Life and Power Efficiency

Battery Consumption in Real-World Usage Scenarios

Snapdragon®-powered PCs offer longer battery life, often exceeding 20 hours of active use. Intel-based PCs typically fall far short of this endurance.

How Snapdragon® Achieves Superior Energy Efficiency

Efficient ARM architecture and dedicated low-power AI cores contribute to Snapdragon®'s extended battery life.

Final Verdict: Which PC Should You Buy?

Best Choice for General Consumers

If battery life, portability, and AI enhancements are the priority, a Snapdragon®-based Copilot+ PC is an excellent choice.

Best Choice for Professionals and Power Users

Users reliant on legacy applications, gaming, or raw processing power should opt for an Intel-powered alternative.

Summary of Key Decision-Making Factors

Choosing between a Snapdragon® and Intel-powered AI PC depends on use case priorities, with Snapdragon® excelling in mobility and efficiency, while Intel leads in compatibility and raw power.

Licences, trademarks, source code licences and attributions

Licences, trademarks, source code licences and attributions

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