Windows 10 on ARM makes PCs more mobile

Late last year, Microsoft demonstrated how full-fledged Windows 10 apps can run on an ARM processor, emphasizing how the OS can adapt to the rise of mobile computing. One year later, Microsoft has partnered with Qualcomm to unveil new laptops that run on a Snapdragon 835 processor, which is mainly used on smartphones.

Dubbed as ‘Always Connected PCs,’ these new devices look and feel like regular laptops. However, such units are designed to be consistently connected to an LTE network, making them function more like iPads and smartphones. This means that when a laptop is opened, it should instantly resume as well. This helps extend battery life, according to Microsoft.

The first computers equipped with mobile processors will come from HP and Asus. While these will run Windows 10 S, designed to only run apps from the Windows Store, buyers can upgrade to Pro for free. Moreover, Microsoft has natively made Windows 10 to work on ARM devices, therefore the system will not run into any incompatibilities. As for other apps, 32-bit programs can be downloaded and installed as usual, but these will be only emulated by the system. Not supported as of the moment are 64-bit programs.

The partnership with Qualcomm is also a newfound mobile strategy for Microsoft. Back in 2012, the Redmond company unveiled Windows RT, its operating system designed to work on ARM processors. However, due to its inability to run traditional apps, the devices that ran it became difficult to use. Furthermore, Microsoft has failed to capture the smartphone market with the Windows Phone platform.

With full Windows 10 working successfully on ARM processors, more laptops and tablets that run the software can be expected in the future. The effort also opens up possibilities for other PC makers to use a mobile processor on their devices, challenging dominant chip maker Intel along the way.