Latest graphics driver for your Surface devices powered by Snapdragon X Elite (opens in new tab)

(qualcomm.com)

19 pointsxgdgsc1y ago20 comments

20 comments

You have to create an account to download updated graphics drivers? Bad move, Qualcomm.

You'd think that Surface devices in particular would just get it pushed through Windows Update...

> Currently, graphics drivers are distributed by each OEM via Windows Update. Qualcomm plans to release drivers directly to consumers soon.

https://www.qualcomm.com/drivers

I think that's a really dumb move. It essentially cripples the default experience and non-technical folks will just assume the product sucks.

2 more replies

protimewaster1y ago

Vendors have been getting worse about this. One day we'll probably end up with a situation where everything is like enterprise hardware, and you'll need an account with an active support subscription to download the newest drivers / firmware.

focusedone1y ago

don't you put that evil on me

ToucanLoucan1y ago

Gotta get that user data, can't possibly miss on the Data Boom!

josefresco1y ago

GeForce Experience on my PC requires an account. Sure I can find and install the driver manually, but the convenience of using the software outweighs the privacy concerns (for me).

jsheard1y ago

Good news, they just retired GeForce Experience, and the new Nvidia app which replaced it doesn't require a login anymore.

2 more replies

ToucanLoucan1y ago

I mean for me at least, it's not even a privacy concern, it's a fucking hassle. I do not want nor will I ever, in all likelihood, want a Qualcomm account, nor do I want an account on whatever other shit-splat website I'm gonna visit one time every few years to download one thing I need. There is no reason at all to put a download like this behind an account. A captcha MAYBE, if you find your website being hit by bots a lot, I guess? But it's 2024, nearly 2025. Bandwidth is dirt cheap.

Reubend1y ago

Would be good to see some real benchmarks rather than just having them state that the FPS will increase in certain games.

wtallis1y ago

That's entirely typical for graphics driver release notes.

jamesgeck01y ago

Usually true, too. Particularly new AAA games typically run noticeably better after the "day one" driver update.

Keyframe1y ago

Tangential question, but if I were to hunt for a as powerful as one can get linux arm laptop these days, what are the options outside of macs/asahi?

OptionOfT1y ago

Synaptics does the same. They only distribute to OEMs. So if your OEM doesn't update the driver you're stuck. Worse yet, if you don't want the OEM's customizations you're stuck.

Dell used to distribute their touchpad drivers without edge-motion. So I had to force a driver from Lenovo's website to get the standard UI to work.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

20 comments

mrpippy1y ago

You have to create an account to download updated graphics drivers? Bad move, Qualcomm.

jsheard1y ago

You'd think that Surface devices in particular would just get it pushed through Windows Update...

itishappy1y ago

> Currently, graphics drivers are distributed by each OEM via Windows Update. Qualcomm plans to release drivers directly to consumers soon.

https://www.qualcomm.com/drivers

I think that's a really dumb move. It essentially cripples the default experience and non-technical folks will just assume the product sucks.

2 more replies

protimewaster1y ago

focusedone1y ago

don't you put that evil on me

ToucanLoucan1y ago

Gotta get that user data, can't possibly miss on the Data Boom!

josefresco1y ago

GeForce Experience on my PC requires an account. Sure I can find and install the driver manually, but the convenience of using the software outweighs the privacy concerns (for me).

jsheard1y ago

Good news, they just retired GeForce Experience, and the new Nvidia app which replaced it doesn't require a login anymore.

2 more replies

ToucanLoucan1y ago

Reubend1y ago

Would be good to see some real benchmarks rather than just having them state that the FPS will increase in certain games.

wtallis1y ago

That's entirely typical for graphics driver release notes.

jamesgeck01y ago

Usually true, too. Particularly new AAA games typically run noticeably better after the "day one" driver update.

Keyframe1y ago

Tangential question, but if I were to hunt for a as powerful as one can get linux arm laptop these days, what are the options outside of macs/asahi?

OptionOfT1y ago

Synaptics does the same. They only distribute to OEMs. So if your OEM doesn't update the driver you're stuck. Worse yet, if you don't want the OEM's customizations you're stuck.

Dell used to distribute their touchpad drivers without edge-motion. So I had to force a driver from Lenovo's website to get the standard UI to work.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse