Build 2024: Qualcomm Announces $899 Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows

After Microsoft and its OEM partners introduced the first PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Series chips yesterday, there’s another device for developers interested in creating apps for Copilot+ PCs. Indeed, Qualcomm is announcing today the Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows, a $899 mini PC powered by a Snapdragon X Elite chip.

“The Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows is purpose-built to accelerate the next generation of on-device AI applications for PCs,” said Kedar Kondap, senior vice president and general manager of compute and gaming, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This system gives developers access to our powerful Qualcomm Oryon CPU and 45 TOPS NPU, so they can build the AI apps of the future.”

The Snapdragon Dev Kit actually comes with a special developer edition of the Snapdragon X Elite processor. The compact PC also offers 32GB of memory, 512GB of storage, 3 USB Type-C ports, 2 USB-A ports, one Ethernet port, one audio jack, and one HDMI port. By using the two USB-C ports, users will be able to connect up to three 4K monitors.

Developers will be able to use the Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows to build native ARM64 apps and take advantage of Microsoft’s native ARM64 toolchain. They will also be able to build new generative AI experiences by running large language models locally.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows will be available for pre-order today, and it will start shipping on June 18. Microsoft took shots at the MacBook Air with its new Surface Laptop yesterday, and it would be nice to see PC manufacturers leverage Qualcomm’s X Series chip to create ARM-based alternatives to the Mac Mini.