In just over a year, the world of Windows laptops has seen a significant shift with the introduction of devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, moving away from traditional Intel and AMD chips. This transition is akin to what Apple achieved with its Macs but involves multiple brands now championing the Microsoft cause.
This initiative, known as Windows on Arm, has already produced some impressive models. Among my favorites are the ultra-slim Asus ZenBook A14 and the Dell XPS 13, both of which show remarkable potential. These machines are designed to offer quick performance—particularly in AI tasks—along with extended battery life, all housed in a sleek, portable form.
These Windows on Arm devices can be compared to the MacBook Air in the Apple ecosystem. In fact, some Snapdragon-powered laptops have surpassed Apple’s renowned model, boasting impressive multi-day battery lifespans. But the question remains: can they truly outperform legacy x86 laptops, particularly as the latest Intel chips adopt new performance-enhancing features?
What about my apps?
Will your Intel-based PC applications run on an Arm-based Windows laptop? The answer is yes. If a developer has created a dedicated Arm version of their app, great. If not, you can still use the Intel (x86) version on your Snapdragon-powered device.
One key challenge of transitioning Windows to this new architecture is ensuring compatibility with existing applications, particularly those created by third-party developers. Fortunately, Microsoft has crafted an emulation layer that effectively runs x86 apps, albeit with a slight performance reduction. This is facilitated by Prism, which translates x86-64 code into ARM64 instructions.
If an app was initially created for x86 machines powered by Intel or AMD processors, it will still function on Windows on Arm devices, thanks to Microsoft’s Prism technology. This parallels Apple’s move from Intel to M-series chips, which relied on Rosetta 2 for emulator support. What about any potential performance lag due to emulation?
While some performance hit exists, it’s likely you won’t encounter it. Microsoft reports that 87% of user time spent on Copilot+ devices is within software specifically designed for Windows on Arm. This means the effectiveness of the Prism emulator, which gained performance enhancements with the Windows 11 24H2 update, is often unnoticeable in day-to-day use.
Windows on Arm is ideal for…
If you need a laptop that provides rapid wake-ups, a lightweight design, dependable productivity, and excellent battery life that can last all day, Windows on Arm is a solid choice. My own experience with these laptops shows they excel, especially for office work.
If your work routine includes browsing, task management tools like Asana or Trello, and communication software such as Microsoft Office, these laptops will handle those tasks seamlessly. Even creative applications like Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro perform without major issues.
For those interested in leveraging AI tools like Recall or Copilot Deep Research, Snapdragon-based machines can manage these processes effortlessly. In benchmark tests, these laptops frequently outpace Intel and AMD counterparts. The main drawback lies in graphics performance and scalability.
Throughout my use of Windows on Arm, I found it to be a practical system for my work, which revolves around web browsers, task management, communication apps, and light media editing. Most business users and students can expect a similar experience unless they require specialized software.
Why choose Windows with Intel?
However, emulation does have its limitations, particularly for gamers. Microsoft states that “Drivers for hardware, games, and apps only work if they’re designed for a Windows 11 Arm-based PC.” As a result, software requiring custom drivers—like antivirus programs and certain printing utilities—may not function correctly. Games that depend on anti-cheat mechanisms will also be incompatible.
Another critical point: the current offerings of Windows on Arm are limited to three processors: the Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus, and X. The entry-level model often struggles, resulting in a “processor not supported” warning for many games in the Xbox Game Pass library. The graphics capabilities are lacking, and even the Snapdragon X Elite may not significantly improve performance in AAA titles.
Moreover, those planning to use CAD software or engage in high-resolution multi-stream video editing will require a robust processor and a powerful graphics engine. The limitations of Windows on Arm include insufficient graphics performance and limited upgradability.
As gaming laptops and mobile workstations with high-performance processors like the HP Zbook series continue to thrive, Windows on Arm may not be the ideal choice for those wanting scalability and flexibility.
Pricing is another factor. Windows on Arm laptops often struggle to dip below $700 (approximately €650), eliminating many budget-conscious buyers. For a more affordable option, you can typically find competent Intel (and AMD) laptops capable of light workloads for close to $450 (around €420).
In conclusion, while Windows on Arm laptops showcase innovative advancements, understanding their limitations is key to making an informed decision. For a deeper dive into technology trends and insights, explore the latest content at Moyens I/O.