After years of falling short, Microsoft might finally have a worthy contender to challenge the performance prowess of Apple‘s MacBook Air. The company is gearing up to unveil a new lineup of Arm-based Windows laptops, dubbed “AI PCs,” at a special event on May 20th. These devices will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X Elite processors, which, according to reports, could outperform the M3 MacBook Air in several key areas, including CPU tasks, AI acceleration, and app emulation.

Since Apple’s transition to its proprietary Apple silicon in late 2020, MacBooks have consistently delivered superior performance and efficiency compared to their Windows counterparts. The gap has only widened with each subsequent generation, leaving Microsoft struggling to keep pace.

Despite Microsoft’s repeated claims that its Arm-based Windows laptops would eventually match the performance of the latest MacBook Air, the reality has been disappointing, primarily due to the lackluster performance of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon CPUs.

However, Microsoft’s upcoming “AI PCs” powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor might change the narrative. According to The Verge, Microsoft is confident about the new CPU’s performance capabilities. The company is reportedly planning to showcase demos at the May 20th event, highlighting how its newest laptops outperform the M3 MacBook Air in CPU tasks, AI acceleration, and app emulation.

One of the standout features of these “AI PCs” is their improved app emulation capabilities. Reportedly, the new devices will provide faster app emulation than Apple’s Rosetta 2, enabling Windows apps designed for 64-bit CPUs to run with the same level of performance on Arm-based Windows laptops.

Microsoft’s enthusiasm for the Snapdragon X Elite CPU extends beyond just the “AI PCs.” The company is reportedly planning to equip its upcoming Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with the same processor as well. While Microsoft has already unveiled the business variants of these devices featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, the consumer models are expected to feature Qualcomm’s latest offering.

While performance is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of any laptop, it is not the only factor that determines its overall appeal. The upcoming Snapdragon X Elite-powered Windows PCs might outshine the M3 MacBook Air in certain tasks, but it remains to be seen whether these devices can match Apple’s offering in terms of sleek design, long battery life, and overall user experience.