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The Galaxy S8’s speedy processor will power Windows 10 laptops this year

Published May 31st, 2017 8:56AM EDT
Windows 10 Snapdragon 835 Laptops
Image: Microsoft

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At a media event at Computex this week, Microsoft and Qualcomm announced that they are moving forward with plans to use the Snapdragon 835 mobile processor — the chip that powers Samsung’s Galaxy S8 — in future Windows 10 computers, just as previously teased.

Asus, HP, and Lenovo are going to be the first companies to launch Windows 10 PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform. These devices will come with LTE support right out of the box, featuring Qualcomm’s X16 LTE modem that will be able to deliver gigabit internet speeds.

The Snapdragon 835 chip will let OEMs develop even slimmer fan-less laptop designs, and should offer better battery life than their Intel-based rivals. The company says that Snapdragon 835 designs will deliver up to 50% more battery life than competing devices, regardless of usage, and longer standby times.

Image source: Qualcomm

Qualcomm also provided images that show the logic board size differences between the Snapdragon 835 platform (above) and rivals (below).

Image source: Qualcomm

The Snapdragon-based devices will run a full Windows 10 experience optimized for ARM processors, the companies revealed, complete with support for Microsoft’s full Office suite, Cortana, Windows Hello, and Windows Ink.

Image source: Qualcomm

However, neither Microsoft nor Qualcomm revealed any actual release dates for the first Windows 10 devices built on Snapdragon 835. The OEMs did not make any announcements of their own on the matter. And it’s interesting to note that Microsoft did not commit to making a Surface-branded laptop powered by Snapdragon. That said, Qualcomm did hint earlier this year that Snapdragon-based laptops are going to be available in stores by the end of the year.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.