Windows on ARM - Is it Finally Here? P1

Today, we're diving into an exciting topic that has been a long time coming: Windows on ARM. Is it finally here? Let's find out!

Ok - so we have been talking about Windows on ARM for a long time. And why do we care as developers or entrepenuers? Better battery life, less power consumption, overall performance gains - and some bonuses that we are getting from it now.

Let's dive in.

For years, we've been hearing whispers and rumors about Windows running smoothly on ARM processors. Microsoft has made several attempts, but they often fell short of expectations. The promise of a seamless, power-efficient Windows experience on ARM has been tantalizing. Now, with the latest advancements, it seems like we might finally see it come to fruition.

Microsoft launched Windows for Arm in 2012 with the Surface 2-in-1, powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 3. It didn’t catch on. The original Surface was slow, buggy, and ran an Arm-only version of Windows called Windows RT. Microsoft retreated to x86 with the release of the Intel-powered Surface Pro.

The recent benchmarks have shown impressive results, putting ARM-based Windows devices in a competitive position against traditional x86 systems. We're seeing improved performance metrics in areas such as battery life, efficiency, and even raw processing power. These benchmarks highlight the potential of ARM architecture to revolutionize how we interact with our PCs. It's an exciting time to be a tech enthusiast!

The Surface Laptop 7, like other Copilot Plus PCs with Snapdragon X chips, benefits from an advantage Arm chips often hold when compared to x86: efficiency. Laptops with Snapdragon X can last over 20 hours on battery, yet meet or beat x86 alternatives in performance benchmarks. Tests have found Snapdragon X is up to 50 percent more efficient than comparable x86 chips in single-core workloads and 20 percent more efficient in multi-core. That translates not only to long battery life but also less heat, less fan noise, and better performance on battery power

Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD are all playing significant roles in this transition. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors have been particularly noteworthy, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with ARM. Meanwhile, Intel and AMD aren't sitting idle—they're also exploring ARM's potential in various ways. This collaboration and competition are driving innovation at a pace we've rarely seen before.

Microsoft has shown a renewed commitment to making Windows on ARM a reality. This isn't just a side project anymore; it's a core part of their strategy moving forward. With better developer tools, more robust support, and a clearer roadmap, Microsoft is signaling that they're all in. This level of dedication is crucial for the platform's success.

The success of Windows on ARM could herald a new era in computing. Imagine devices that are lighter, more energy-efficient, and just as powerful as their x86 counterparts. This shift could lead to innovations we haven't even dreamed of yet. As developers and consumers, we should be excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the evolving landscape of Windows on ARM. It's taken Microsoft a while, but there is a lot of excitment as we look forward to the innovations and improvements ahead.