Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For everyday use, leave your Snapdragon X2 Plus laptop on Balanced. When battery life matters more, use Best power efficiency or Energy saver, dim the display to a comfortable level, and review screen and sleep timers and battery-hungry apps. For demanding work while plugged in, Best performance is an option, but it can use more power and make the laptop run warmer. Windows options vary by laptop and Windows version, so check the settings available on your own device.
Start with the power mode that fits your task
Open Settings > System > Power & battery and look for Power mode. Windows may offer Best power efficiency, Balanced, and Best performance; the choices shown can vary. Microsoft’s guidance is to choose based on whether the current task calls for lower power use or greater performance. (Microsoft’s guide to changing power mode)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Mode | When it makes sense | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Best power efficiency | When you are unplugged and prioritizing battery use. | Favors lower power use over maximum performance. |
| Balanced | As a starting point for mixed everyday work. | A compromise rather than a mode tailored to one priority. |
| Best performance | For demanding work when plugged in and power use is less important. | Microsoft warns it may use more power, drain the battery faster, or make the PC run warmer. (Microsoft performance guidance) |
These are Windows-level recommendations, not measured X2 Plus results: the cited sources do not establish how many extra hours or how much additional performance a particular mode delivers on an X2 Plus laptop.
When unplugged, reduce idle and display power use
Use Energy saver and sensible timeouts
In Settings > System > Power & battery, review Energy saver and the screen and sleep settings. Energy saver can reduce background activity, while turning the screen off sooner and sleeping sooner when idle can reduce power use. Choose timeouts that fit your routine; there is no single best timer for everyone. (Microsoft battery-saving tips)
#1 Best Overall
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Adjust brightness and refresh rate
Lower brightness to a level you can comfortably work with. If your display settings offer a lower refresh rate, it may use less power, but motion will look less smooth. Dynamic refresh rate is available only on supported displays, and other display controls can differ by model. Check the options on your own laptop rather than expecting every Windows device to show the same toggles. (Microsoft’s Windows 11 power-settings guidance)
Find the apps using battery before restricting them
Open Settings > System > Power & battery and review Battery usage by app. Use that information to identify apps consuming battery, then change background activity only for apps that offer the control and do not need to stay current. Some apps may not expose a background-activity setting. Windows also lets you manage startup apps in Settings or Task Manager; disable only items you recognize and do not need ready at sign-in. (Microsoft’s startup-app guide)
Rank #2
- Brilliant LCD Display – The 13" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with LCD and enriched HDR[2] tech, unveils crisper whites, darker blacks, and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Up to 15.5hours of battery life[3] - The new Surface Pro is designed for long days, late nights and everything in between.
- Productivity. All Day. Every Day. – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus (10 Core) processors, Surface Pro delivers fast, responsive performance with built-in AI acceleration—so you can handle everything from everyday tasks to demanding workloads with ease.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Use per-app graphics settings only when they fit
On supported systems, Windows offers a Power saving graphics preference for individual apps. Treat this as a targeted choice for a particular app, not a setting to apply indiscriminately to every program. Availability and behavior depend on the laptop and app. Microsoft includes per-app graphics among its battery-saving suggestions. (Microsoft battery-saving tips)
Recommended Free Tools
What is specific to Snapdragon X2 Plus—and what is not
Qualcomm’s January 2026 announcement describes Snapdragon X2 Plus as a platform for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs and said select OEM devices were expected in the first half of 2026. (Qualcomm’s announcement) On September 23, 2026, Microsoft announced a 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X2 Plus. (Microsoft’s device announcement)
Rank #3
- Next-Gen Snapdragon Performance: Powered by a Qualcomm 6-core Snapdragon X2 Plus Processor with a max boost clock up to 4.0GHz and 22MB Cache for responsive multitasking and exceptional battery efficiency.
- Stunning OLED Touchscreen: 14" WUXGA (1920x1200) OLED touchscreen with 100% DCI-P3, 600 nits HDR peak brightness, and DisplayHDR True Black 500, paired with integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth touch interactivity.
- Ultra-Fast Connectivity Hub: Features 3 x USB-C 4.0 (40Gbps, PD 45-65W, DP 1.4) — perfect for fast charging, high-speed data transfers, or connecting multiple external monitors during creative projects or remote work.
- Premium On-the-Go Experience: Runs Microsoft Windows 11 Home, with a backlit keyboard for low-light typing, Wi-Fi 7 for future-proof wireless speed, Dolby Atmos and Smart AMP for immersive spatial audio, and a 9.2MP IR privacy camera for secure facial login and crystal-clear video calls — ideal for content creation, virtual meetings, or premium entertainment.
- Ultra-Portable Productivity: With Rapid Charge Express for quick top-ups and a featherlight design, this laptop is perfect for travelers, students, and professionals who need premium OLED visuals, next-gen performance, and reliable connectivity wherever they go.
Those announcements establish the platform and named devices, but they do not measure the battery-life or performance effect of changing these Windows settings. Display and power features also vary among laptops. Use the controls present on your device, and treat the settings above as ways to match Windows behavior to your priorities—not as a guaranteed X2 Plus battery-life boost.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
