The first Snapdragon C laptop is official, but the potential MacBook Neo rival remains a mystery

Qualcomm has announced Snapdragon C, a new entry-level ARM-based processor designed to power affordable Windows 11 laptops starting at $300. The chip targets the budget PC segment and is positioned as a competitor to Apple’s upcoming MacBook Neo and Chromebooks.

The Snapdragon C emphasizes power efficiency, all-day battery life, quiet thermals, and responsive performance for everyday tasks like light productivity work and media consumption. The processor includes a neural processing unit (NPU), though comprehensive technical specifications remain undisclosed.

Acer has become the first manufacturer to announce a Snapdragon C laptop with the Aspire Go 15, though important details—including full specifications, pricing, and exact availability dates—remain unclear. Qualcomm expects Snapdragon C devices to begin shipping later in 2026, representing another milestone in the broader industry shift toward ARM-based processors in mainstream computing, building on the success of Apple’s M-series chips and earlier Snapdragon X processors for Windows.

Sources