Microsoft’s New Copilot+ PCs: A Gamer’s Verdict
Microsoft’s latest venture into the laptop market with their Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite chip has been highly anticipated. Gamers and tech enthusiasts alike have been eagerly waiting for reviews to see how these new ‘Windows on Arm’ machines perform in comparison to their competitors.
While there have been some software delays and the Recall feature being pulled at the last minute, several reviewers have managed to get their hands on the ASUS Vivobook S 15, giving us a glimpse into what we can expect from the Copilot+ PC lineup.
One aspect that may disappoint gamers is the Snapdragon X Elite GPU’s performance. In comparison to AMD’s ‘Phoenix Point’ Ryzen with integrated Radeon 780M graphics and Intel Core Ultra systems with integrated Arc graphics, the Snapdragon X Elite GPU falls behind by around 15-20%. Gaming on the Arm chip is currently handled through emulation, so there is hope for significant improvement in performance with future driver updates. However, for now, gaming on the Snapdragon X Elite chip appears to be lackluster.
Despite this setback, the ASUS Vivobook S 15 does offer decent gaming performance in some titles. Games like DOTA 2 can achieve over 60 FPS on medium settings, and lowering graphics settings in The Witcher 3 can also reach 60 FPS. However, more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 prove to be unplayable at 1080p, even with low-quality presets. Furthermore, there are instances of stuttering in games like Overwatch 2, rendering it unplayable.
On the battery life front, the ASUS Vivobook S 15 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip falls slightly short of the Apple MacBook Air. Although it outperforms Windows laptops with AMD and Intel x86 chips in heavy workloads, the difference is measured in minutes rather than hours. However, it is worth noting that the device maintains consistent performance whether running on power or battery, which is a positive aspect.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 also boasts a vibrant 120 Hz display, leaving us eager to see the performance and efficiency claims of other Copilot+ PCs. With the potential for driver updates to enhance gaming performance and Microsoft’s promises of efficiency and battery life, it remains to be seen whether the Copilot+ PCs can truly live up to their potential in the gaming world.
Additional facts:
– The Copilot+ PCs featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip are part of Microsoft’s Windows on Arm initiative, which aims to bring the Windows operating system to devices powered by Arm-based processors.
– The Snapdragon X Elite GPU is an integrated graphics solution, which means it is not as powerful as dedicated graphics cards found in gaming laptops.
– Emulation is currently used to run games on the Arm chip, which may contribute to the lower gaming performance compared to systems with dedicated graphics cards.
– The ASUS Vivobook S 15 is one of the first Copilot+ PCs to be reviewed, and other models from different manufacturers are expected to be released in the future.
– Microsoft had initially planned to include a feature called Recall, which would allow users to rollback to a previous version of Windows, but this feature was pulled at the last minute due to software delays.
Important questions:
1. How does the Snapdragon X Elite GPU performance compare to dedicated graphics cards?
2. What games can be played on the Copilot+ PCs and at what settings?
3. How does the battery life of the Copilot+ PCs compare to other laptops?
4. Will future driver updates improve gaming performance on the Snapdragon X Elite chip?
Key challenges or controversies:
– The Snapdragon X Elite GPU’s performance in gaming is not on par with dedicated graphics cards, which may disappoint gamers.
– Gaming on the Arm chip is currently handled through emulation, which can result in lower performance compared to native support.
– Some demanding games, like Cyberpunk 2077, are unplayable at 1080p on the Snapdragon X Elite chip.
– Stuttering issues have been reported in certain games like Overwatch 2.
Advantages:
– The Copilot+ PCs offer the convenience of Windows on Arm devices, which are known for their long battery life and always-connected capabilities.
– The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and potentially other Copilot+ PCs feature a vibrant 120 Hz display, providing a smoother gaming experience.
– The device maintains consistent performance whether running on power or battery.
Disadvantages:
– The Snapdragon X Elite GPU’s gaming performance falls behind dedicated graphics cards by around 15-20%.
– Emulation is currently used for gaming on the chip, resulting in lower performance than systems with dedicated graphics cards.
– Some demanding games may be unplayable or suffer from stuttering on the Snapdragon X Elite chip.
Related links:
– Microsoft
