Qualcomm Introduces Snapdragon C Chips for $300 Entry-Level Laptops
Qualcomm is expanding its laptop processor lineup with the new Snapdragon C series, a budget-focused platform designed for affordable entry-level notebooks starting at around $300. The new chips are aimed at students, families, small businesses, and everyday users who need reliable performance without paying premium laptop prices.
The Snapdragon C series was introduced ahead of Computex as Qualcomm’s latest push into lower-cost Windows laptops. While the company’s Snapdragon X2 and Snapdragon X2 Elite platforms are built for high-end and premium devices, Snapdragon C is designed to bring modern computing features to a much more accessible price range.
Qualcomm says the new platform will focus on responsive everyday performance, long battery life, quiet operation, and efficient computing. That means Snapdragon C laptops are expected to be ideal for common tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, online classes, document editing, email, video calls, and light productivity work.
One of the key features confirmed for the Snapdragon C series is an integrated NPU, or neural processing unit. This will allow entry-level laptops to support basic AI features directly on the device. Qualcomm has not revealed the exact AI performance numbers yet, but the inclusion of an NPU shows that AI capabilities are becoming more common even in budget notebooks.
Kedar Kondap, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm Technologies, said the new Snapdragon C platform combines value-focused computing, all-day battery life, AI features, and responsive performance in cool and quiet devices. According to Qualcomm, the goal is to give laptop makers more options while expanding access to efficient and dependable technology for students, families, customer-facing small businesses, and other everyday users.
For now, Qualcomm has not shared detailed specifications for the Snapdragon C chips. Important details such as CPU core count, GPU performance, memory support, and exact power targets remain unknown. However, because the first laptops are expected to start at just $300, the Snapdragon C series will likely use a much more modest configuration than the company’s premium Snapdragon X2 Elite platform.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite can offer up to 18 CPU cores and a powerful Adreno X2-90 GPU, but those specifications are not expected in the lower-priced Snapdragon C lineup. Instead, Qualcomm is likely focusing on efficiency, battery life, and affordability rather than high-end performance.
Early information suggests the Snapdragon C chip may be based on a 6nm system-on-chip design, reportedly carrying the codename “Kenai.” It is also expected to include an Adreno integrated GPU running at up to 900 MHz and a single 32-bit LPDDR5 memory channel. If accurate, this would position the platform as a lightweight, power-efficient solution for basic laptop use.
Memory, storage, and display quality will be important factors for Snapdragon C laptops. At the $300 starting price, many models may come with 8 GB of RAM, while higher-end versions could offer 16 GB. Storage is likely to fall in the 256 GB to 512 GB range, depending on the manufacturer and configuration.
The affordable laptop market is becoming increasingly competitive. Apple’s MacBook Neo, for example, is expected to offer 8 GB of memory and an A18 Pro chip at a $599 price point. Meanwhile, Intel-based entry-level laptops using Core Series 3 processors are also appearing around the $449 range, often with stronger specifications than ultra-budget alternatives.
This makes Qualcomm’s $300 Snapdragon C laptop strategy especially interesting. If the company and its partners can deliver solid battery life, smooth everyday performance, good connectivity, and acceptable build quality at that price, Snapdragon C could become a strong option in the budget Windows laptop market.
Acer is already among the first companies preparing a Snapdragon C laptop. The Acer Aspire Go 15 will use the new Snapdragon C processor and is designed to offer long-lasting battery life, responsive performance, and a cool, quiet experience at an entry-level price.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is expected to include 8 GB of memory, 512 GB of storage, and a 15.6-inch display with narrow bezels. It will also feature dual USB Type-C ports, an HDMI port, and Wi-Fi 6E support, making it a practical option for students and everyday users who need modern connectivity without spending too much.
The first Snapdragon C laptops are expected to launch later this year, with more details likely to be shared during Computex. Pricing, performance benchmarks, battery life claims, and additional laptop models should become clearer once manufacturers officially reveal their full product lineups.
With the Snapdragon C series, Qualcomm is making a clear move to bring AI-ready, battery-efficient Windows laptops to a much lower price point. If the platform delivers on its promise, it could help reshape the entry-level laptop market by offering affordable devices that are quiet, efficient, and capable enough for everyday computing.
