Hands-on with Microsoft's Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptop
How has the transition from MacBook Air to Microsoft Surface Laptop impacted the reviewer's workflow, especially in professional tasks like using Photoshop?
The transition from MacBook Air to Microsoft Surface Laptop has been positive for the reviewer in terms of workflow and performance, particularly with native Arm apps like Photoshop. They experienced no slowdowns during a full day of work and were able to edit and export photos with ease. The reviewer also noted that emulated apps, such as Lightroom Classic, performed well without any noticeable issues. Overall, the Surface Laptop has met the reviewer's expectations and provided a smooth experience for their professional tasks.
How does the battery life of the latest Microsoft Surface Laptop compare to that of the MacBook Air, based on the reviewer's experience?
The reviewer found that the battery life of the latest Microsoft Surface Laptop was impressive, lasting from 9:30am to 6:30pm with active usage, and ended with 24% battery remaining1. This was achieved while running multiple applications, such as Chrome, WordPress, and Photoshop. Although a direct comparison to the MacBook Air's battery life is not provided in the review, the reviewer implies that the Surface Laptop's battery life is noteworthy and on par with their expectations1.
What specific features of the Snapdragon X Elite chipset are expected to improve the performance of Windows laptops compared to previous Windows on Arm chipsets?
The Snapdragon X Elite chipset is expected to improve the performance of Windows laptops compared to previous Windows on Arm chipsets through several key features:
- Higher multi-core performance scores: The X Elite boasts improved CPU capabilities, which should lead to better overall performance in multi-tasking scenarios2.
- Stronger AI performance capabilities: With an NPU capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS), the X Elite is set to deliver faster and more efficient AI processing2.
- More efficient power consumption: The X Elite is designed to offer better power efficiency, which could lead to longer battery life for Windows laptops4.
These enhancements make the Snapdragon X Elite a promising option for improving the performance of Windows laptops and potentially closing the gap with competitors like Apple's MacBooks.