Qualcomm Unveils New PC Chip With Security Features for Businesses
Qualcomm announced on Wednesday a new line of chips for PCs and smartphones, including the Snapdragon X2 Elite laptop chip, which introduces a security capability aimed squarely at the business market.
Best known for powering mobile phones, the San Diego-based company has been expanding into the PC sector, where it competes with Apple to deliver energy-efficient chips for Windows-based laptops and desktops.
The Snapdragon X2 Elite, set to ship next year, debuts Guardian, a feature designed for corporate IT departments. Guardian will let companies securely connect to machines remotely for updates or technical support—even if the device is powered off.
Intel, the longtime leader in corporate PCs, has offered similar fleet management features for years. But Qualcomm says its approach will be unique because it can integrate Guardian with its 5G modem chips, allowing corporate owners to manage and track devices virtually anywhere with cellular coverage.
“Nobody else can offer something like that,” said Ben Bajarin, CEO of technology consultancy Creative Strategies. “I can actually see that being attractive for a portion of the workforce and something that will get stronger interest in Qualcomm for enterprise fleets.”
The new chip represents Qualcomm’s latest push to gain traction in the PC market while positioning itself as a serious contender for enterprise customers.