Qualcomm, a company best known for its smartphone processors, has unveiled a new strategy to conquer the PC market. It aims to break Intel’s dominance in the enterprise segment with a solution that combines the company’s unique expertise in mobile connectivity with the needs of IT departments.
At a recent presentation, the company announced the launch of a new generation of laptop processors, known as Snapdragon X2 Elite. The chips, which are expected to hit the market next year, will be equipped with a new security and management feature called Guardian.
On the face of it, this is not a revolution – remote management of a fleet of computers has been standard in the business world for more than a decade. However, Qualcomm intends to exploit its biggest advantage.
Guardian technology will be integrated with 5G modems embedded in the processor. This will enable IT departments to securely connect to an employee’s laptop for the installation of updates, diagnostics or technical support, even when the device is switched off or without Wi-Fi access. All that is required is for the computer to be within range of a mobile network.
This is a significant difference from mature competitor solutions, such as the Intel vPro platform, which most often requires a PC to be connected to the corporate network for advanced remote management. Qualcomm’s proposal addresses the real challenges of today’s distributed work environment, where employees and their equipment are rarely physically in the office.
For Qualcom, this is a strategic move to increase its share in the lucrative B2B segment. After several years of trying to establish itself in the Windows PC market, the company has finally found a unique value proposition that none of its rivals can offer.
Instead of competing solely on performance or energy efficiency, Qualcomm is betting on functionality critical to IT directors.
Market analysts estimate that the ability to manage a fleet of devices almost anywhere in the world is an attractive prospect for corporations.
While this won’t convince all business customers to switch platforms, it could open the company’s doors to market segments where mobility and constant hardware control are a priority. It’s a thoughtful move that could significantly strengthen Qualcom’s position in the battle for the future of Windows PCs.
