2024 was a pivotal year for Windows on Arm, with Microsoft and Qualcomm finally delivering on their promise of excellent battery life and great performance. The introduction of Copilot Plus PCs, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors, marked a significant milestone in the development of Windows on Arm. These new laptops have largely overcome the app compatibility issues that plagued earlier Windows on Arm devices, making them a viable alternative to traditional x86-based laptops.
The year began with a bang, as Microsoft set the stage for its Windows on Arm announcements at CES in January. The company's promise of AI PCs and the introduction of the Copilot key on keyboards signaled a new era for Windows laptops. While the Copilot experience on Windows has undergone several revisions, it remains a key feature of Microsoft's AI-powered laptop strategy.
The real game-changer, however, was the launch of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors in April. These chips provided the performance and power efficiency needed to challenge Apple's MacBook Air and Intel's x86 dominance. The subsequent reviews of Windows on Arm laptops, including the Surface Laptop 7, demonstrated that Microsoft's Arm-based devices could match and even beat Apple's MacBook Air in terms of performance.
Microsoft and Qualcomm worked closely with developers to ensure that key apps were compatible with Windows on Arm, making it easier for users to switch to these laptops. Even Google, which had previously shunned Windows Phone, created Arm64 versions of Chrome and Google Drive to support Microsoft's efforts. The only notable exception is gaming, where x86 still reigns supreme due to compatibility and performance issues.
Intel and AMD, however, did not sit idly by as Windows on Arm gained momentum. Intel struck back with its Lunar Lake processors at IFA in September, delivering impressive performance and battery life improvements. AMD's latest Ryzen AI chips also compete directly with Qualcomm, and both Intel and AMD have the advantage of game compatibility that Windows on Arm lacks.
Apple, too, made significant moves in 2024, refreshing its cheapest MacBooks with a surprise upgrade to 16GB of RAM. While Apple may argue that this is related to Apple Intelligence, the unusual change came months after Copilot Plus PCs launched, with a minimum of 16GB of RAM at price points that challenge the MacBook Air.
Despite the progress made in 2024, Microsoft's Windows AI efforts were somewhat underwhelming. The flagship feature, Recall, was met with privacy and security concerns, forcing Microsoft to delay its release several times. However, Windows chief Pavan Davuluri has emphasized that the future of Windows is about cloud and AI, suggesting that Microsoft will continue to focus on these areas in 2025.
Looking ahead to 2025, the battle between x86 and Windows on Arm is expected to intensify. AMD and Intel are teaming up to fend off Arm-based chips from Qualcomm, while Intel faces a period of turbulence after ejecting its CEO and facing desktop chip issues. A Dell leak has revealed that Qualcomm is preparing new chips for 2025, which could bring laptop prices down. Additionally, Nvidia might be planning to launch Arm PC chips as soon as 2025, which could shake up the Windows laptop world and make Windows on Arm even more enticing.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain – 2025 will be a fascinating year for Windows laptops, with fierce competition between Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm driving innovation and progress. As the laptop market continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how Windows on Arm fits into the larger picture.