Dell's New Qualcomm Snapdragon Powered Laptops Are Up For Preorder in the UK

Last night, Dell and a few other top laptop makers introduced their latest lineup of laptops powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. These processors are known for their advanced AI capabilities and energy efficiency, promising enhanced performance, superior battery life, and seamless AI features. It’s a new era for laptop users, and with Microsoft pushing Copilot AI in Windows, this is one of the best entry points into the new ecosystem.

If you're in the UK, you can now preorder Dell's new Snapdragon-powered laptops, which can all be seen via Dell's website, follow the preorder instructions to secure your order (see here). There are also some cool deals on warranties and accessories, so there’s a nice bargain to be had by putting your money down early. The big sell here is on-board AI, rather than browser or app-based ones such as Chat GPT.

We’ve included all laptops available for preorder below (there are only three available at the moment), but first here’s a rundown of the specifications of the new Snapdragon-powered Copilot laptops:

New Inspiron 14 Plus Laptop

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is powered by a Snapdragon X Plus processor with 10 cores, providing a smooth and responsive experience for everyday tasks and multitasking. Running on Windows 11 Home, it features a Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU for handling graphics-intensive applications with ease.

With 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, you can seamlessly switch between multiple applications without any lag. The 1 TB SSD offers ample storage space for all your files, photos, and videos. The 14.0-inch touch display with Quad HD+ (2560X1600) resolution ensures a crisp and vibrant visual experience, whether you're working, streaming, or browsing. Priced at £1,049.00 (£874.17 excluding VAT), the Inspiron 14 Plus also comes with special offers like a 10% discount on accessories and displays, and 24/7 Premium Support for added peace of mind.

New XPS 13 Laptop

New Dell XPS 13 boasts a Snapdragon X Elite processor with 12 cores, capable of running up to 3.4 GHz, with a Dual-Core Boost up to 4 GHz for those moments when you need extra power. It runs on Windows 11 Pro and is equipped with a Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU, making it ideal for both professional and personal use.

The XPS 13 comes with 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, allowing for effortless multitasking and fast performance. Its 512 GB SSD provides plenty of space for your software, documents, and media. The 13.4-inch display with Full HD+ (1920X1200) resolution delivers sharp and clear visuals, perfect for both work and entertainment. Priced at £1,299.00 (£1,082.50 excluding VAT), this laptop also offers special deals including a 10% discount on accessories and displays, and a 30% discount on a 3-year Premium Support Plus plan.

Why Do You Need An AI-PC?

Microsoft Copilot has been around since November 2023. It helps with brainstorming, AI imagery, and written outlines using text prompts. Recently, Microsoft introduced Copilot+, which offers next-generation AI features and tools. Here’s some key differences:

• Copilot:
  • Cloud-Based AI: It functions as a cloud-based AI assistant, generating responses or images using remote servers.
  • Free and Pro Versions: The basic service is free with a Microsoft account. The Pro version costs $20 per user per month and offers additional perks.
  • Accessibility: It's easy to use and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Pro Version Benefits: Users get enhanced capabilities, such as generating images with Designer and integrating AI into Microsoft Office applications
• Copilot+:
  • Local AI Capabilities: It's designed to run AI tasks directly on your PC, making it more secure and faster for specific tasks.
  • Integrated Features: It integrates advanced AI functionalities into various programs.
  • Enhanced Security: Copilot+ processes AI tasks locally, offering greater privacy and security.
  • Creative Enhancements: It excels in creative workflows, such as editing images in Adobe Creative Cloud and enhancing video calls.
  • Productivity Boost: It can improve productivity for business professionals by offering AI-generated suggestions and annotations directly within documents.

AI PCs have been gradually entering the market since CES 2024, where Intel and AMD introduced AI-capable laptop processors. Since then, it has been anticipated that a second generation would soon integrate AI features directly into Windows 11, alongside Microsoft Copilot+. That time has now arrived, but who exactly are these AI PCs for?

Nvidia's Tensor cores have enabled hardware-accelerated AI on consumer PCs for some time. Now, with the new Snapdragon X Elite platform and the recently announced Intel Lunar Lake processors, powerful AI capabilities are available in devices as thin and light as the new Surface Laptop.

While Nvidia showcased a preview of AI-powered gaming at CES 2024, this isn't the primary focus of the new Copilot+ laptops. These devices will allow you to stream Xbox games and run titles like Minecraft, but they won't significantly change the gaming PC landscape. Generative AI has already been available on desktop graphics cards since the RTX 2080, so if gaming is your main interest, Copilot+ doesn't need to be on your radar just yet. We'll have to wait to see how AI will further impact video games in the future.

Christian Wait is a UK-based freelancer for IGN, you can follow him @ChrisReggieWait on Twitter/X.