What to know

  • Chromebooks may soon use Snapdragon X Plus chips, offering up to 20% faster CPU performance.
  • The new chips could use up to 50% less power than competitors, potentially extending battery life.
  • Development for ChromeOS support is underway, but no official Chromebook models have been announced yet.
  • ARM-powered Chromebooks could become lighter and more efficient, appealing to students and travelers.

Chromebooks could soon see a significant upgrade in performance and efficiency. Developers have started adding support for the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chip, also known as the X1P42100 SoC, to ChromeOS, reports Chrome Unboxed. This move suggests that new Chromebooks using this chip may be in development, although no official devices have been announced yet.

The Snapdragon X Plus chip promises up to 20% faster CPU performance compared to current options. It also claims to use up to 50% less power, which could lead to longer battery life—possibly up to 20 hours on a single charge, depending on the device. These improvements could make Chromebooks more competitive with Windows laptops and other ARM-powered devices.

In recent years, ARM chips have become more common in Chromebooks, with MediaTek and Intel also offering processors for the platform. The addition of Snapdragon X Plus could further expand the choices available to users. ARM-powered Chromebooks are typically smaller and lighter than traditional laptops, making them suitable for students and people who travel often.

While the development work is ongoing, it is not guaranteed that a Snapdragon X Plus Chromebook will reach the market. In the past, some devices have been developed but never released. For now, users can look forward to the possibility of faster, more efficient Chromebooks in the near future, as work on supporting the Snapdragon X Plus chip continues.

Via: TheVerge