Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon C chip to bring AI computing to affordable laptops
Major brands including Acer, HP, and Lenovo are preparing to launch Snapdragon C laptops later this year
Qualcomm is pushing deeper into the AI PC market with a new processor designed to address one of computing's largest and most underserved segments: laptops that everyday consumers can actually afford.
Introducing Snapdragon C
The company unveiled the Snapdragon C on Thursday — a new Arm-based chip built for entry-level Windows PCs expected to start at around $300.
Rather than targeting high-end gaming machines or professional workstations, Qualcomm has set its sights on students, families, remote workers, and small businesses: in short, anyone seeking a light, portable laptop with modern AI capabilities and strong battery life.
The move comes as many of the AI laptops that launched over the past year have remained priced well above the budgets of typical consumers. The Snapdragon C appears designed to shift that dynamic.
What the chip is built for
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon C is optimised for everyday computing tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, office work, and video calls. Laptops built on the platform are expected to be thin, fanless, and quiet whilst remaining responsive in day-to-day use.
A key component of the chip is its integrated neural processing unit (NPU) — dedicated AI hardware increasingly used to support on-device features such as live captions, AI-assisted productivity tools, background noise reduction, and image enhancement.
Qualcomm frames the inclusion of AI hardware within a lower-cost chip as part of a wider effort to democratise advanced computing features rather than confining them to premium devices.
"Consumers and businesses are looking for affordable PCs that still deliver modern experiences," said Kedar Kondap, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm Technologies.
Major brands already on board
Acer, HP, and Lenovo are among the major manufacturers already preparing to ship laptops built on the Snapdragon C platform, with product launches expected later this year.