The Snapdragon® X Series processor family arrived in 2024 with a vision: genuine PC-class performance from a non-x86 architecture, combined with battery efficiency that’s eluded traditional laptop chips for years.

While breaking x86’s stranglehold on the PC market is an exciting proposition for many people, it represents a departure from the norm. So when a new non-x86 option appears for Windows laptops, skepticism comes pre-installed.

We surveyed 1,090 Register readers to measure their perceptions of non-x86 processors. They’re a savvy bunch, averaging 4.6 out of five in technical expertise, with 92 percent rating themselves as advanced or very technical users.

The survey data suggests there are myths worth addressing, even among those who should know better. “Things are different now,” says Upendra Kulkarni, VP, Product Management (Compute Software) at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

But how are they different, and what historical misconceptions is the Snapdragon X Series team trying to overcome? Let’s look at what the technically sophisticated crowd gets wrong about Snapdragon X Series processors, and what the reality looks like when you dig past the assumptions.