If you are in the market for a new Windows laptop, chances are pretty high that the new devices might be powered by ARM processors. These thin and light devices have been available since 2017 and run on a different type of architecture typically found on smartphones. While some might easily overlook these processors, recently ARM-based computers have been giving serious competition to the likes of AMD and Intel.
With the introduction of the Apple M1 chip based on ARM architecture, many people have started considering purchasing a device powered by an ARM chipset. This has resulted in a flood of ARM-based Windows products being available in the market. So what is Windows on ARM, and why is it important for you?
Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 11, is compatible with a large number of devices, including those based on ARM architecture. Usually, most laptops are powered by an x86 or x64 chipset offered by chipset makers like AMD or Intel. The introduction of ARM-based computers has enabled even thin and light devices like convertibles and tablets to run an operating system like Windows. Moreover, in some cases, Windows 11 on an M1 Mac can perform better than a regular Windows laptop.
The advantage these devices offer in comparison to traditional Windows devices comes in the form of increased battery life, with some machines lasting more than a day, along with the ability to stay connected to the internet at all times. If you are constantly on the move, then these power-efficient chips can be a great choice due to their in-built modem providing 4G and 5G internet connectivity.
These chipsets are very power efficient and support 4G and 5G connectivity thanks to the in-built modem, making them a great choice if you are constantly on the move. You can also put these devices in standby mode to turn them on instantly and then log in to your account securely using Windows Hello.
Currently, MediaTek and Qualcomm offer Windows devices based on the ARM architecture. While these thin and light devices will provide you with the same Windows experience, the only catch is that they can run mostly apps designed for the ARM architecture. This can be a deal-breaker for many since there are not many apps that are designed for ARM, and these devices can only support 32-bit emulation.
Thankfully, Microsoft has solved this problem with Windows 11 by making it easier for developers to create apps that can run natively on ARM devices. Windows 11 adds support for 64-bit apps on ARM-based devices. Previously Windows 10 used a special system called Compiled Hybrid Portable Executable (CHPE) to run 32-bit apps on ARM devices. This system was very complex and hard for developers to use, making porting apps to ARM devices difficult.
Windows 11 switches to a new application binary interface called ARM64EC (Emulation Compatible). This makes porting and designing apps for ARM devices much easier for developers due to the support of 64-bit emulation. Now apps like Adobe Photoshop that depend on third-party plugins can easily run on ARM-based devices. Developers don’t have to remove or disable any plugins to make their apps compatible with Windows on ARM.
Many apps that were developed for ARM devices running Windows 10 have also been updated to support 64 bit on Windows 11 on ARM. Apps that support only 32-bit are also compatible with Windows 11 for ARM devices.
In case you are looking for a new Windows 11 device, then you should take a look at ARM-powered devices. These thin and light devices can be your perfect companion thanks to their long-lasting battery life and fast cellular internet connectivity. The new Windows 11 update has only helped boost their adoption by making it easy for developers to create native apps for ARM.
(ThePrint ValueAd Initiative content is a paid-for, sponsored article. Journalists of ThePrint are not involved in reporting or writing it.)
Source: The Print
