Article Windows on Arm Never Quite Took Off — Is That All About to Change?
With recent developments in AI and Arm-based applications, the tides may be shifting for Windows on Arm.
By Insight Editor / 15 Apr 2024 / Topics: Devices
While Arm technology has thrived in mobile devices such as smartphones, Arm-based processors have struggled to compete against traditional chipset architecture in computers and laptops. However, advancements in Arm-native applications and AI could be a turning point for the technology.
In this article, we explore the history of Advanced RISC Machines, past challenges for Arm-based processors and why the odds may be shifting in its favor.
ARM & Arm
An important note when talking about Arm: it’s both a company and a technology. Let’s break it down with a quick history overview.
Arm technology has been making waves in the tech world since its original design by Acorn Computers in the 1980s. In fact, the ARM acronym originally stood for Acorn RISC Machine. When looking to power their next computer venture, the Acorn team needed a processor that was faster, more efficient and had better memory usage than what was currently on the market — so, they made their own. According to Arm’s official history:
“The pre-history of Arm goes back 45 years. In 1978, Acorn Computers was established by co-founders Chris Curry and Hermann Hauser. The start-up managed to land the rights to build and produce the BBC Micro, a UK government initiative that aimed to put a computer in every classroom in the UK. As part of this initiative, Professor Steve Furber and Sophie Wilson designed the very first Arm processor, the ARM1.
It was designed to efficiently execute the instructions of programs running on Acorn computers, such as word processing, spreadsheet calculations and graphics rendering. This laid the foundation for Arm’s modern processors that are used across a wide range of technology devices and markets.”
Following financial difficulties for Acorn in the mid-80s, the Arm we know today was officially founded in November 1990 as a joint venture between Acorn Computers, Apple Computer (now Apple Inc.) and VLSI Technology (now NXP Semiconductors N.V.) — and new initialisms for the company acronym were born: Advanced RISC Machine Ltd. (now known simply as Arm Ltd.). While Arm itself doesn’t manufacture chipsets, it designs instruction sets, which are then licensed to other companies to be manufactured.
Now we know the history, but what exactly is Arm technology?
Well, you probably have it next to you right now. In fact, you might be using it at this moment, if you’re reading this on a smartphone.
Arm stands for Advanced RISC Machine, and RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computing. Simply put, Arm-based processors are designed to use a smaller set of instructions than traditional processors, which are known as Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC). Because of this, Arm processors are known to be faster and more efficient, with lower power consumption and less heat dissipation.
Affordability, lightweight design and long battery life have made Arm an ideal choice for portable technology — and the processors have thrived in mobile devices. In fact, 99% of premium smartphones are powered by Arm.
But if Arm has been so successful in smartphones (as well as in many other devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles), why aren’t Arm-based computers and laptops dominating the market? Especially considering that in 2020, the ARM-based Japanese supercomputer Fugaku was named the fastest in the world.
Challenges in software, legacy support and general familiarity with more traditional processors have delayed widespread adoption. Let’s dive into where Arm has been, and where it might be going.
Arm vs. x86
When it comes to purchasing a computer, you’ll find two main Central Processing Unit (CPU) architectures leading the market: Arm and x86.
Used by Intel and AMD — and named after the series of Intel processors that first used the architecture — x86 is the processor architecture found in the majority of desktop and laptop computers today. Most Windows PCs are built on the x86, and the CPU is known for its versatility, large instruction set, advanced performance features and software compatibility. But while the x86 is still a giant in the world of Windows, Apple moved toward Arm-based processors several years ago.
In November of 2020, Apple announced its transition away from Intel chips toward their own custom, Arm-based processor architecture: Apple Silicon. Because Apple’s A-series Arm chips power iPhone, iPads and Apple TVs, this shift allowed for cross-functional support across all Apple operating systems. The 2020 announcement kicked off a two-year transition to a fully Arm-based Apple lineup.
In September of 2023, Apple and Arm signed a deal for chip technology through 2040 and beyond. According to a CNBC report at the time of announcement, “The news indicates that Apple has secured access to a core piece of intellectual property, the Arm architecture, used in its iPhone and Mac chips, for the foreseeable future.”
Windows on Arm, however, has had a more challenging start. The modification first debuted in 2012 as Windows RT, when Microsoft partnered with Qualcomm to release a version of Windows 8 that could run on Arm-based processors. The goal? To create a more mobile, energy-efficient version of Windows that could compete with the likes of Apple’s iPad.
However, Windows RT could only run software rebuilt for Arm, and because of poor app support, it failed to gain traction in the market.
In 2017, Microsoft partnered with Qualcomm again to create a version of Windows 10 that could run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors. This version offered better software compatibility and performance, and it could run many traditional desktop applications through emulation (the process of creating a software or hardware system that can imitate the behavior of another system). While it was more successful than Windows RT, Windows on Arm still faced — and continues to face — adoption hurdles, including familiarity for users, the raw processing power of CISCs, and the fact that many businesses have existing systems designed to run on x86 processors.
Despite these past challenges, the future of Windows on Arm is looking brighter than ever before.
Big conversations are happening in the Arm space, including new developments of Arm-native applications and tools, which will address some of the major roadblocks the OS has faced in the past. In March, Google and Qualcomm announced an optimized version of its Chrome browser for Windows on Arm, powered by Snapdragon. The launch of the Chrome browser followed Qualcomm’s announcement last fall of the Snapdragon X Elite processors, calling it an “AI super-charged platform.”
Speaking of AI, recent advancements and its ongoing evolution are another major boon for Arm architecture.
Why will Arm technology play such a significant role in AI’s future?
The main advantage on Arm’s side in the evolution of AI is one word: efficiency. As we mentioned earlier, Arm-based processors are known for their energy efficiency — which is critical for AI applications that require significant computing power. As AI becomes more prevalent, energy efficiency can provide the necessary computing power while still maintaining a long battery life.
AI could reimagine devices as we know them today, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are rethinking how devices are designed to support these intense workloads. Is it time to rethink your device strategy, too?
If you procured devices in 2020 while your team transitioned to remote work, or if you have legacy devices that won’t support an upgrade to Windows 11, it might be time for a device refresh. Upgrading now can help ensure that you’re ahead of the curve as new generative AI applications emerge and workloads evolve.
Not sure where to start? That’s where Insight comes in. Our device experts will help you navigate the changing landscape, understand the benefits and drawbacks of CISC and RISC processors, and make decisions best for your current and future needs.
Curious about next-gen, on-device AI? Check out our recent article to learn more about the future of AI devices — including NPUs, TOPS scores, the advantages of a device refresh and more — and talk with an Insight expert to stay ahead of the game.
