Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s claim about high return rates for Qualcomm Snapdragon X laptops sparked debate, with Qualcomm refuting it.
2. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is labeled as a “Frequently returned item” on Amazon, suggesting potential issues.
3. User reviews highlight problems, including difficulty in setting up an Android development environment.
4. Some users report inability to stream Hulu in 4K due to lack of Widevine L1 DRM on the Surface Laptop 7.
5. Overall customer satisfaction is mixed, indicating Snapdragon X Elite laptops have room for improvement compared to Intel, AMD, and Apple Silicon devices.
Last year, an executive from Intel stirred up some debate when she claimed that laptops using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips “suffer from high return rates.” Qualcomm later refuted this assertion. Nevertheless, a listing on Amazon for the newly revealed Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 seems to hint that there might be some merit to Intel’s words.
Return Rates and User Feedback
The Surface Laptop 7 is marked with a tag stating it’s a “Frequently returned item” (H/T Windows Central), prompting Amazon to advise potential buyers to read reviews prior to making a decision. A quick look at the review section for the Surface Laptop 7 reveals some rather intriguing comments. One reviewer mentions having difficulty in establishing an Android development environment. This is quite strange since the device is powered by the Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite chip.
Streaming Issues
In addition, another user points out that they are unable to stream Hulu in 4K. This could be linked to the fact that the Surface Laptop 7 lacks Widevine L1 DRM, which is again baffling. Interestingly, the Asus Vivobook S 15 also carries the same “Frequently returned item” label. However, the reviews for this laptop focus more on its specific issues rather than the Windows on Arm platform in general, including the fact that the RAM is not upgradeable.
Overall Customer Satisfaction
While a majority of customers seem happy with their purchase, it is evident that laptops with Snapdragon X Elite chips have some distance to cover before they can match the performance and experience offered by those that run on Intel, AMD, and Apple Silicon.
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