The ARM Race: MediaTek vs Qualcomm in the Battle for Chromebook's Future
Published on by Jim Mendenhall
Something fundamental shifted in the Chromebook world during 2025, and it had nothing to do with screen sizes or keyboard layouts. For years, Intel processors dominated the conversation—you bought a Chromebook, it ran Intel, end of story. Sure, MediaTek and Qualcomm made appearances in budget devices and educational tablets, but nobody seriously considered ARM as the performance choice. That changed when MediaTek released the Kompanio Ultra and suddenly produced the fastest Chromebook ever tested. Now Qualcomm is preparing to re-enter the market with Snapdragon X, and Google’s upcoming Aluminium OS transition means the ARM architecture could become even more important. The ARM race for Chromebook supremacy is officially on.
This isn’t just a technical curiosity for spec enthusiasts. The processor inside your Chromebook affects everything you experience daily: how long the battery lasts, whether the device needs a fan, how well Android apps run, and increasingly, what AI features you can use locally. With Google preparing to rebuild ChromeOS on Android foundations, the choice between Intel’s x86 architecture and ARM-based alternatives has never mattered more.
How MediaTek Won the ARM Chromebook Market
To understand where we’re headed, it helps to understand how we got here. MediaTek didn’t become the dominant ARM processor vendor in Chromebooks by accident—they earned it through years of focused development while their competitors looked elsewhere.
MediaTek is now the number one provider of ARM-based Chromebooks, a position they built gradually over the past decade. “We were less than 10 percent in Chromebook market share a few years ago,” noted PD Rajput, MediaTek’s associate VP for client computing. The company made a strategic decision to focus specifically on ChromeOS rather than trying to compete with Qualcomm in the Windows laptop space, and that focus paid off. Their Kompanio series of processors became synonymous with ARM Chromebooks, powering everything from budget educational devices to premium convertibles.
The Kompanio chips before 2025 were competent but unexciting. They offered excellent battery life and fanless operation, but performance lagged noticeably behind Intel alternatives. Teachers and students tolerated the occasional stutter because the devices lasted all day and survived drops. But nobody chose a MediaTek Chromebook for raw capability—you chose it for durability and battery life, accepting the performance compromise.
Then MediaTek released the Kompanio Ultra in April 2025, and the conversation changed completely. Built on TSMC’s 3nm process, the chip features an architecture MediaTek calls “all-big-core”—eight high-performance cores including one Arm Cortex-X925 running at 3.62GHz, three Cortex-X4 cores, and four Cortex-A720 cores. There are no efficiency cores compromising performance when you need it. The 11-core Immortalis-G925 GPU handles graphics with support for ray tracing, while an integrated NPU delivers 50 TOPS of AI processing power.
The numbers tell the story. According to Geekbench 6 benchmarks, the Kompanio Ultra scores 2,542 in single-core tests—ahead of the Intel Core 5 120U (2,072) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U (1,797) found in premium Chromebooks. MediaTek claims 18% faster single-thread performance and 40% better multi-thread performance compared to Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. For gaming, the improvement is even more dramatic: 250% higher frame rates in Minecraft compared to the Intel 125U.
What makes these numbers remarkable is that the Kompanio Ultra achieves them while enabling fanless designs with up to 17 hours of battery life. That combination—leading performance plus all-day battery plus silent operation—simply didn’t exist in Chromebooks before. You could have performance (Intel) or efficiency (ARM), but not both. MediaTek changed that equation.
Real-World Performance: What Reviewers Actually Found
Benchmark numbers only matter if they translate to real-world experience. Fortunately, both the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 and the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 shipped with Kompanio Ultra processors in 2025, giving reviewers months to evaluate the chip in actual use.
PCWorld called the Lenovo model “the most exciting Chromebook in years,” noting that it “handled just about everything thrown at it with the kind of responsiveness usually associated with Intel or AMD-based machines, and it stayed cool and quiet throughout thanks to its fanless design.” The reviewer emphasized that this combination of elite performance, thin build, light weight, and genuine multi-day battery life “feels like a bit of a miracle.”
Tom’s Guide was equally impressed, calling it “simply the best Chromebook you can buy right now.” The Chromebook Plus 14 lasted 14 hours and 37 minutes in their video playback tests—ahead of the Intel-powered Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus at just under 12 hours. That’s not a marginal improvement; it’s the difference between a device that makes it through a long workday and one that requires mid-afternoon charging.
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 earned similar praise from Engadget, which called it “the new ChromeOS sweet spot.” Reviewers consistently highlighted the ability to power through dozens of browser tabs, multiple virtual desks, and demanding Android apps without the device warming up or the performance degrading. Android Police noted that the Spin 514 “made me stop doubting premium Chromebooks”—a sentiment that captures how the Kompanio Ultra changed perceptions.
The Android app experience deserves special mention. ARM processors run Android apps natively rather than through translation layers, which historically gave them an advantage in app compatibility and performance. The Kompanio Ultra extends this advantage significantly. Where Intel Chromebooks sometimes struggle with demanding Android games or professional apps, the Ultra handles them smoothly. Android Central reported that the ARM architecture delivers “substantially better Android app performance” compared to x86 alternatives—a gap that becomes more meaningful as Android apps become more sophisticated.
Qualcomm’s Troubled Chromebook History
While MediaTek was quietly building its Chromebook empire, Qualcomm’s ChromeOS efforts stumbled badly. The company that dominates Android smartphones and has made serious inroads in Windows laptops has consistently failed to gain traction in Chromebooks—a failure that makes their upcoming Snapdragon X push all the more significant.
Qualcomm’s Chromebook attempts started promisingly enough. The first Snapdragon 7c-powered Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, arrived in 2021. But reviewers found it underwhelming. Chrome Unboxed noted that while the device “doesn’t feel slow per se… it just definitely isn’t fast. From time to time I’d see stutters and lag in animations.” The performance was roughly equivalent to Intel’s budget Pentium Silver N5030—adequate for basic tasks but unremarkable. Android gaming performance was particularly disappointing, with one reviewer noting that “the under-powered MT8183 in the Duet is better at Android apps than this Snapdragon 7c.”
The second-generation Snapdragon 7c appeared in 2022 in devices like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 and Duet 5 tablets, but again failed to make a significant impression. Then came the real setback: Google cancelled all Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 Chromebooks in 2023. According to code commits discovered in the Chromium Repositories, every single ChromeOS board using the Gen 3 Snapdragon was discontinued. The development boards—code-named after Minecraft characters like Herobrine, Evoker, Zombie, and Villager—all went dark.
Nobody outside Qualcomm and Google knows exactly why the Gen 3 devices were cancelled. Speculation centered on chip costs, development challenges, or simply Qualcomm deprioritizing a market where it couldn’t compete with MediaTek’s established relationships and lower prices. Whatever the reason, Qualcomm essentially disappeared from the Chromebook conversation for two years while MediaTek consolidated its ARM dominance.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 became a cautionary tale about Qualcomm’s ChromeOS support. The device became stuck on ChromeOS 116 while version 119 was current, unable to update because a firmware patch for the USB-C port sent devices into boot loops. For a platform that emphasizes seamless updates as a core security feature, having a device unable to receive updates was a significant embarrassment.
Snapdragon X: Qualcomm’s Second Chance
Despite this troubled history, Qualcomm is mounting a serious return to Chromebooks with its Snapdragon X platform—the same chips that have been challenging Intel and Apple in Windows laptops. This isn’t another mid-range mobile chip repurposed for laptops. The Snapdragon X represents Qualcomm’s custom Oryon architecture, built from the ground up for PC-class performance.
Evidence of Snapdragon X Plus Chromebooks appeared in the Chromium Repositories in late 2025, marking the earliest stages of development. The Snapdragon X Plus brings an 8-core Oryon CPU clocking up to 3.4GHz, paired with an NPU capable of 45 TOPS of AI performance. Built around Qualcomm’s custom CPU cores—which the company claims contain only “one percent or less” of Arm’s original technology—the Oryon architecture delivers multi-threaded performance that rivals contemporary chips from Apple and Intel.
At CES 2026, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon X2 series, the next generation built on a 3nm process. The X2 Plus comes in 10-core and 6-core variants with maximum clock speeds of 4GHz, support for LPDDR5x memory, and an NPU pushing 80 TOPS—significantly exceeding both MediaTek’s Kompanio Ultra (50 TOPS) and the original Snapdragon X Plus (45 TOPS). Qualcomm claims 35% faster single-core performance and 17% faster multi-core compared to the first-generation Snapdragon X, with 78% better NPU performance and 43% improved power efficiency.
The efficiency claims are particularly relevant for Chromebooks. Qualcomm promises “multi-day battery life” from laptops using these chips, which would match or exceed what MediaTek achieves with the Kompanio Ultra. If Qualcomm can deliver Intel-rivaling performance with ARM-class efficiency, they’ll have a compelling pitch to Chromebook manufacturers looking for alternatives.
The first Snapdragon X2 Plus laptops will ship in the first half of 2026, initially targeting Windows. But with Chromebook development already underway, Qualcomm-powered ChromeOS devices could arrive by late 2026 or early 2027. The company has announcements expected from all major OEMs including HP, Lenovo, and ASUS—manufacturers who already ship Kompanio Ultra Chromebooks and could diversify their ARM offerings.
The Aluminium OS Factor
Looming over this entire competition is Google’s Aluminium OS—the upcoming Android-based platform that will eventually replace ChromeOS. First announced at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit in late 2025, Aluminium OS represents Google’s most ambitious platform transition since the original launch of ChromeOS.
The merger of ChromeOS and Android into a unified system has profound implications for the ARM processor competition. Google confirmed they’re building Aluminium OS with “Artificial Intelligence at the core,” leveraging Gemini for deep integration across the operating system. The platform will run on laptops, detachables, tablets, and “boxes” (mini PCs), with support for ARM and Intel processors alike.
But here’s what makes this interesting for the MediaTek-Qualcomm competition: Google announced Aluminium OS at Qualcomm’s event, not MediaTek’s. Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior VP of devices and services, confirmed a partnership with Qualcomm on the new platform. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has seen early demonstrations and described them as “incredible,” stating they “deliver on the vision of convergence between mobile and PC.”
Google is testing Aluminium OS on both MediaTek Kompanio and Intel Alder Lake chips, so MediaTek isn’t being excluded. But the public partnership with Qualcomm suggests the companies are collaborating on optimization, and Qualcomm’s dominant position in Android smartphones gives them deep experience with the software stack that will power the new platform. When ChromeOS transitions to Android foundations, Qualcomm’s expertise could become a significant advantage.
The second-generation Snapdragon X2 Elite chips that Qualcomm announced at CES 2026 will be used for Aluminium OS devices, giving Qualcomm a head start on hardware optimization. MediaTek will need to ensure their chips are equally well-supported, or they could find their Chromebook dominance eroding as the platform evolves.
Intel Isn’t Going Away
While ARM processors generate most of the excitement, Intel still powers roughly 72% of Chromebook shipments—a dominant position that won’t disappear overnight. Intel has its own response to the ARM challenge: Panther Lake processors, part of the Core Ultra Series 3 family built on the new 18A process.
Intel announced at CES 2026 that Core Ultra Series 3 represents “the most advanced semiconductor process ever developed and manufactured in the United States.” At least six Chromebooks are being built on Panther Lake, with code names including Lapis, Felino, Ruby, Moonstone, Kinmen, and Francka. If Intel can deliver on the promise of Arrow Lake-level performance with Lunar Lake-level efficiency, they’ll remain highly competitive.
Intel’s advantages are institutional as much as technical. Schools and enterprises have decades of experience deploying x86-based devices. IT departments understand Intel’s processor lineup, have tooling built around x86 architecture, and trust Intel’s support infrastructure. ARM chips may offer better specifications on paper, but conservative buyers often stick with what they know—especially when the platform itself is undergoing major changes.
The x86 architecture also maintains advantages for specific use cases. Linux application compatibility is generally better on Intel processors, and developers often prefer x86 for its broader tooling support. If you’re a power user who relies on Linux apps or development environments, Intel Chromebooks remain the safer choice, even if ARM performance has caught up.
What This Means for Chromebook Buyers
The ARM processor competition creates both opportunities and complications for anyone shopping for a Chromebook in 2026. Here’s how to think about the choices:
If you’re buying right now and want the best ARM Chromebook available, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 with the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra at $649-749 delivers proven performance. Multiple reviews confirm it’s the fastest Chromebook ever tested, with exceptional battery life and a beautiful OLED display. The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 at $699-800 offers similar performance in a convertible form factor with military-grade durability. These are safe purchases that won’t disappoint.
If you’re budget-conscious and can wait, 2026 will bring more competition that could drive prices down. MediaTek’s Kompanio 540 chips arrive in January 2026, promising 35% better battery life than previous budget chips with WiFi 7 support. The ASUS CM32 Detachable uses this chip with a stunning 600-nit, 120Hz display. Competition from Qualcomm could pressure MediaTek to improve pricing on Kompanio Ultra devices as well.
If you can wait until late 2026 or 2027, the landscape could shift significantly. Snapdragon X Chromebooks will provide alternatives to MediaTek, potentially with superior AI processing capabilities. Intel’s Panther Lake chips will challenge ARM efficiency claims. And Aluminium OS will begin rolling out, potentially changing how apps run and what features are available. Buying during a platform transition always carries risk—waiting lets someone else discover the problems.
The safest advice for most buyers is straightforward: if you need a Chromebook now, buy one of the Kompanio Ultra devices and enjoy leading performance with excellent battery life. If you can wait, wait. The competition between MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Intel will produce better options at lower prices, and the Aluminium OS transition will clarify which chips are best optimized for the future platform.
The Stakes Beyond Specs
This competition matters beyond specifications and benchmarks. The outcome will shape what Chromebooks become over the next decade—whether they remain primarily educational and budget devices or evolve into genuine alternatives to Windows and Mac laptops for mainstream users.
MediaTek proved with the Kompanio Ultra that ARM processors can deliver flagship performance in Chromebooks. Qualcomm’s entry with Snapdragon X will test whether that success came from MediaTek’s specific execution or from ARM’s inherent advantages for ChromeOS. Intel’s response with Panther Lake will determine whether x86 can reclaim efficiency leadership or whether ARM’s advantages are structural.
Google’s Aluminium OS adds another dimension entirely. If the Android-based platform runs substantially better on ARM processors—which seems likely given Android’s ARM heritage—the transition could accelerate ARM adoption in ways that benefit both MediaTek and Qualcomm. Conversely, if Google prioritizes broad compatibility and maintains strong x86 support, Intel could retain its dominant position despite ARM’s efficiency advantages.
For the first time in years, buying a Chromebook involves a meaningful choice between processor architectures with real tradeoffs rather than just budget tiers. That’s good for competition and ultimately good for buyers. Whether you choose MediaTek’s proven Kompanio Ultra, wait for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X, or stick with Intel’s familiar x86, you’re participating in a market that’s genuinely competitive again.
The ARM race has just begun. The finish line is still years away.
