Windows on Arm Gains Momentum as Major Apps Join
Microsoft's Windows on Arm initiative is gaining momentum. Major app developers are set to release new Windows apps for ARM in the coming months, joining Microsoft's App Assure team, Google, and partners like Alipay. This expansion is driven by better performance and battery efficiency, supported by tools like Visual Studio.
Microsoft rebooted Windows on Arm in May 2022 with Copilot+ PCs and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X PC chips. Since then, various app categories have been natively compiled for Windows on Arm, including VPN, productivity, creative, and entertainment. The PRISM emulation engine in Windows 11 on Arm runs x86 apps well, with some exceptions for games.
Major OEMs have shipped new Arm-based PCs with Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, promising improved performance and efficiency. Microsoft's latest blog post details progress on Windows 11 on Arm with natively compiled apps. This strong app ecosystem sets the stage for the launch of Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon PC chips. Adobe has made Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Audacity available for Arm-based PCs in preview. Currently, 90% of time on Arm-based PCs is spent within natively compiled apps, indicating the growing popularity of these devices.
The Windows on Arm ecosystem is thriving, with 90% of user minutes spent on natively compiled apps. Major app developers are planning to release new Windows apps for ARM, motivated by improved performance and battery efficiency. This trend sets the stage for the launch of Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon PC chips, further boosting the appeal of Arm-based PCs.
