For anyone considering a new ARM-based laptop in 2024, MacBooks and Snapdragon X Elite laptops are two popular choices. However, I would personally choose a MacBook over any Snapdragon-powered Windows laptop today.
1 Optimized Software and Hardware Integration
Although many Snapdragon X Elite laptops are being compared to MacBooks, none of them have the same level of optimization when it comes to integrating both software and hardware. Unlike most Windows laptops, where separate companies build the hardware and operating system, Apple seamlessly integrates macOS with its Apple silicon chips.
This allows Apple to create class-leading laptops that fully utilize the hardware underneath. Because Apple develops both hardware and software, MacBooks do a phenomenal job when it comes to performance, memory management, and battery life.
In contrast, Snapdragon X Elite Windows laptops—though impressive—rely on Qualcomm’s ARM processors paired with an operating system that wasn’t designed specifically for ARM. Yes, Windows on ARM has improved, but it often faces software stability issues because it’s running on a platform initially intended for x86 processors.
2 Higher Power Efficiency
Adding to my first point, MacBooks have better power efficiency than most laptops, allowing for longer battery life per charge. ARM-based Apple silicon running on RISC architecture makes it easier to develop and execute software with high power efficiency. This is why a MacBook Air can run completely on passive cooling and why MacBook Pros are quieter than most Windows laptops when running the same apps.
Since Snapdragon X Elite laptops also use ARM-based hardware, you’ll still get excellent power efficiency. However, Windows itself is more resource-intensive and doesn’t fully utilize ARM’s power-saving capabilities yet. This means Snapdragon Windows laptops tend to fall short when compared to MacBooks’ incredible battery management.
So, if you want a cooler and quieter laptop with longer battery life, a MacBook would be the better choice—at least for now.
3 Software Compatibility
Software compatibility is another advantage of a MacBook over a Windows Snapdragon X Elite laptop. During the two-year-long transition from Intel to Apple silicon processors that began in late 2020, Apple provided developers with tools to create Universal apps that don’t require emulation. In the meantime, software designed for older Intel Macs could run effortlessly on Apple silicon Macs with Rosetta 2 emulation.
With many Universal apps now available and Rosetta 2 emulation making it possible to run older apps, software compatibility on MacBooks is simply better than on Snapdragon X Elite laptops running Windows.
For Snapdragon X Elite laptops, it’s not as simple. Windows on ARM can also emulate x86 apps, but its emulation isn’t as refined as Rosetta 2. This means performance may vary, and you could encounter more issues or lags when running legacy apps, which can be frustrating if you rely on specific software for work or creative projects.
With macOS, you get a stable environment where most apps work smoothly, whether they’re optimized for ARM or not.
4 Security and Privacy
Apple has made security a cornerstone of the MacBook experience. MacBooks with Apple silicon have several built-in security features, like the Secure Enclave, FileVault, and iCloud Private Relay, to keep your data safe. The Secure Enclave keeps encryption keys protected, FileVault provides full-disk encryption, and Private Relay ensures online privacy by masking IP addresses and encrypting traffic.
These features are standard on MacBooks, offering peace of mind for users concerned about privacy. In contrast, Snapdragon X Elite laptops don’t come with the same level of hardware-based security. Windows security largely depends on the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and the operating system’s software security tools. While these are effective, they can’t fully match the level of hardware integration Apple offers.
5 Quality Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard and trackpad are essential parts of a laptop experience, and MacBooks excel in this area. Apple has fine-tuned its keyboards and trackpads over the years with precise feedback, tactile keys, and a large responsive Force Touch surface that supports a wide range of gestures. Typing on a MacBook feels smooth and consistent, and the trackpad is among the best you’ll find on any laptop.
The keyboard and trackpad quality can vary on Windows laptops, including those with Snapdragon X Elite processors. Since different manufacturers create these laptops, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a quality typing or trackpad experience. Some manufacturers, like Lenovo and Dell, excel in this department, but others fall short, leading to inconsistencies across Windows laptops.
Ultimately, MacBooks provide a more cohesive and polished experience than Snapdragon X Elite laptops. I have no doubt that ARM-based Windows laptops will be a great option in the future, but if I had to choose between a Snapdragon X Elite laptop and a MacBook Air or Pro today, I’d go for the latter.
