Microsoft SQ1 is a custom chipset made for the Surface Pro X

Microsoft announced the Surface Pro X at the October Surface event. The device marks the next step in the Surface line and runs on an ARM processor rather than the Intel chips that we’ve seen so far on the Surface Pro line. The Surface Pro X runs on a custom chipset called the Microsoft SQ1 that combines Snapdragon hardware with AI. The end result is a chipset that has 7 watts of power that is three times more powerful than the Surface Pro 6’s chipset.

So the ARM chip is a custom one built in partnership with Microsoft + Qualcomm. It’s called the SQ1. It has 7-watts of power, and also features a redesigned GPU.

“This product has three times more performance per watt than the Surface Pro 6.”

— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) October 2, 2019

For everyday users, the important thing about this chipset is that the Surface Pro X is thin, light, and powerful while also getting excellent battery life. The Surface Pro X is the first device made by Microsoft to run Windows 10 on ARM, and the Surface team has combined custom hardware to try to deliver the best experience possible.