Windows space could be getting busy in the next few years, with the broader range of ARM based PCs. Rumor from the “XDA Developers” reports that the Qualcomm has the exclusively deal with Microsoft for Windows on ARM and it could expiring soon.
Qualcomm and Microsoft first introduced Windows on ARM in the year 2016. The contemporary Qualcomm contract expiring leaves the door open for other chipmakers. In 5 years, Qualcomm built ARM chips for PCs including: The snapdragon 835, 850, 7c and 8cx Gen 2 5G. They worked with the Microsoft SQ2 processors these are based on Qualcomm ARM Chips.
PCs with these chips never taken off, since they are mainly found in highly expensive sub $1000 laptops. For example, Acer Spin 7 or flagship Microsoft device like the Surface Pro X. Apple came from behind in the year 2020 and they have introduced its own custom ARM chip the M1.
Microsoft other partners could enter the space once they occupied by Qualcomm. List of the products includes: Samsung with its own Exynos Processor or MediaTek that already builds ARM based chips for Chrome books.
Rumors indicated for the Samsung that, the Company was planning a laptop with an Exynos processor. Same like Acer and Lenovo they already built the hardware for ARM PCs, with the Galaxy Book S but due to the Qualcomm exclusively deal it can’t use its own chips inside. The recent news should not be more surprising as, it seems though the Microsoft is Prepared for the ‘new Wave of ARM based PCs’.
Microsoft in Windows 11 made it easier for the app developers to emulate x64 based apps. Company is even selling the Qualcomm Snapdragon Developer Kit the mini ARM based Personal computer from Microsoft store for, $220.
