Apple’s MacBook Neo has shown that ARM-powered laptops don’t have to cost a premium. With a starting price of just RM2,499, it brings Apple’s silicon-powered computing experience at a much lower price point than the MacBook Air.
Now Qualcomm wants to make modern computing even more accessible with Snapdragon C. Designed for entry-tier laptops priced from US$300 (about RM1,200), the new platform promises responsive everyday performance, all-day battery life and integrated AI capabilities through a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
Targeted at students, families and small businesses, Snapdragon C aims to bring the power efficiency advantages of ARM computing to a segment traditionally dominated by entry-level Intel and AMD-powered laptops. Qualcomm says devices from leading PC makers including Acer, HP and Lenovo are expected to arrive later this year.
Qualcomm is bringing Snapdragon beyond premium AI PCs
While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Series has helped bring ARM-powered computing into the mainstream Windows laptop market, Qualcomm is now looking at the more affordable segment with the Snapdragon C. The new platform is designed for students and everyday users that need responsive performance while maintaining cool and quiet operation. The company is also positioning the platform as an affordable way to bring AI capabilities to entry-level laptops through an integrated NPU.
Qualcomm Technologies Senior Vice President and General Manager of Compute and Gaming Kedar Kondap said, “As costs rise and customer expectations evolve, Snapdragon C brings together value oriented computing, all-day battery life, AI capabilities and responsive performance in cool-quiet devices for expanded platform choice.”
“We’re delivering modern computing experiences that help our ecosystem reach new audiences and expanding access to reliable, efficient technology for students, families, customer-facing small businesses, and beyond,” he added.
At the time of writing, Qualcomm has yet to reveal detailed CPU, GPU or NPU specifications for Snapdragon C.
Acer Aspire Go 15 offers an early look at Snapdragon C laptops
Qualcomm announced that Snapdragon C devices will be available from Acer, HP and Lenovo, and the products are expected to hit shelves later this year.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 (AG15-Q31P) revealed during Computex 2026 is among the first Snapdragon C powered laptops revealed so far.
Positioned as an affordable everyday laptop, it features an 8-core Snapdragon C processor, up to 8GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 512GB of storage. It also has a 15.6″ Full HD (1920×1080) display, dual speakers, 1080p Full HD webcam and a 53Wh battery.
In terms of connectivity, it offers WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, a single USB-A port, audio hack and HDMI 1.4 port. Out of the box, it runs on Windows 11 Home.
According to Acer, the availability of the Aspire Go 15 will be announced at a later date.
