During Build 2024, Qualcomm launched a new development PC aligned with the Copilot+ PC specifications and powered by its famous Snapdragon Elite X processor to encourage Windows developers to move their applications to ARM and invent new AI experiences.
The success of the “Copilot+ PC” initiative and the new Surface PCs launched this week is largely based on the availability of not only native ARM applications under Windows, but also new applications and new uses of artificial intelligence. Microsoft and Qualcomm know this very well. They already tried to launch a development kit last year limited by the lack of power of the built-in processor (Snapdragon 7c Gen 2).
During Build 2024, Qualcomm decided to move into a higher gear by creating a new mini desktop computer, aimed at developers, based on the brand new Snapdragon Elite X processor.
Windows needs ARM applications. And this new processor delivers exceptional performance that only native applications can take full advantage of, even if Intel’s new Windows 11 24H2 emulation layer is twice as fast as before and now runs existing Windows x86 software without issue.
But Windows now also needs AI applications. And currently, only Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors provide the minimum NPU performance expected by Windows. Hence the importance of this new Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows, a compact PC powered by the development edition of the Snapdragon X Elite chip. This kit is specifically designed to accelerate the development of the next generation of Copilot+ PC AI applications.
Kedar Kondap, senior vice president and general manager of computing and gaming at Qualcomm, explains: “ The Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows is specifically designed to accelerate the next generation of AI applications on the PC. This system gives developers access to our powerful Qualcomm Oryon CPU and 45 TOPS NPU, so they can build the AI applications of the future. »
This development kit is not intended for private use, but specifically for the development of AI applications on a computer. It runs natively on the Windows on Snapdragon toolchain and is equipped with the runtimes, libraries, and frameworks developers need to create AI-powered programs. It also has multiple ports making it compatible with multi-display systems.
With this compact computer, developers have an environment that allows them to create, debug, and test applications and experiments for Copilot+ computers.
Developers will be able to purchase the Snapdragon Dev Kit starting June 18, retailing at $899.99.
TECHNICAL DATA
Processor : Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-00-1DE)
CPU : Qualcomm Oryon CPU. 12 cores, up to 3.8 GHz. Total cache: 42 MB. Dual Core Boost up to 4.3 GHz
GPU : Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU. Up to 4.6 TFLOPS
NPU : Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU. Up to 45 TOPS
Size: 199 mm x 175 mm x 35 mm
Memory : 32 GB LPDDR5x RAM
Storage : 512 GB Fast NVMe
Links: 3x USB 4 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5 mm audio port, 1x HDMI, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4