Snapdragon C Targets $300 Laptop Market Imperiled by ‘RAMageddon’
Following the launch of Apple’s MacBook Neo in March, PC OEMs are once again focusing on the value market segment. While the MacBook Neo recycles Apple’s A18 Pro SoC from the iPhone 16 Pro from 2024, Qualcomm takes a deeper dive into its product portfolio, essentially repurposing a Dragonwing-branded IoT-focused SoC as “Snapdragon C” for PC OEMs targeting entry-tier laptops priced at $300 and above.
While Qualcomm has a running start as the original SoC supports Windows 11 IoT, the Kryo 670 CPU that powers the Snapdragon C is now five years old. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X, which reset expectations for Windows on Snapdragon, implements efficient and performant Oryon cores. The older core designs in this product risk diluting the brand. Combined with the challenging market conditions for memory impacting entry-level PCs, Snapdragon C faces significant headwinds.