Windows ARM Laptops: Efficiency, Battery Life, and App Compatibility
Key insights
- ⚡ Windows laptops now use ARM chips for improved efficiency and battery life
- 💻 Microsoft's new Surface laptop features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip
- 🔋 Up to 23 hours of battery life for mixed use, significant gains in efficiency and battery life compared to previous Intel-based laptops
- 🛠️ Challenges with app compatibility when switching to ARM architecture, similar to the transition experienced by Mac computers
- ⚙️ Windows on ARM has good support for native apps like Photoshop, Spotify, and Zoom
- ⚠️ Some apps work through emulation but may experience performance issues
- ⛔ Windows on ARM laptops may face compatibility issues with certain apps, VPNs, and games
- 🏗️ The reviewed laptop has premium build quality, all-metal design, solid keyboard, and excellent port selection
Q&A
What are the main considerations for the Surface laptop on ARM? What unique offering is mentioned?
The Surface laptop is a premium matte black Windows laptop on ARM, making software compatibility with ARM a key consideration for potential buyers. Additionally, Dbrand's x-ray line offers a unique way to see inside devices, with a link provided for more details on the x-ray skins.
What are the key features of a new laptop with USBA and USBC ports, and a built-in GPU? What are its performance considerations?
The laptop features USBA, USBC, and headphone jack ports, an LCD touchscreen, and a built-in GPU. It offers strong overall performance with a lot of cores but weaker individual performance, making it unsuitable for high-end gaming. Additionally, it stays cool and quiet, has a dedicated co-pilot button, and an NPU for AI-related processing.
What are the compatibility issues associated with Windows on ARM laptops?
Windows on ARM laptops may face compatibility issues with certain apps, VPNs, and games, and it is crucial to ensure app compatibility before purchasing one. Additionally, the reviewed laptop features premium build quality, an all-metal design, and solid fundamentals.
What is the app compatibility situation for Windows on ARM laptops?
Windows on ARM has good support for native apps like Photoshop, Spotify, and Zoom, while some apps work through emulation but may experience performance issues. However, there are also apps that don't work at all on Windows on ARM due to compatibility issues.
How does the performance of a 14-inch laptop using ARM architecture compare to Intel-based laptops?
The 14-inch laptop offers great battery life and well-optimized performance for everyday tasks, outperforming the 13-inch MacBook Air on certain benchmarks. However, it faces challenges with app compatibility when switching to ARM architecture, similar to the transition experienced by Mac computers.
What are the highlights of Microsoft's new Surface laptop with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip?
The new Surface laptop features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, delivering up to 23 hours of battery life for mixed use, as well as significant gains in efficiency and battery life compared to previous Intel-based laptops.
What are the benefits of Windows laptops using ARM chips?
Windows laptops using ARM chips offer improved efficiency and battery life compared to previous Intel-based laptops, providing significant gains in performance and battery life.
- 00:03 Windows laptops now use ARM chips like Apple silicon, offering improved efficiency and battery life. Microsoft's new Surface laptop with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip provides up to 23 hours of battery life, demonstrating significant gains in efficiency.
- 01:50 A review of a 14-inch laptop highlights its great battery life and well-optimized performance, but discusses the downside of switching to arm architecture, particularly app compatibility.
- 03:40 Windows on ARM has good support for native apps, some apps work through emulation, while others don't work at all. Popular apps like Photoshop and Spotify run smoothly natively, but some apps experience performance issues when emulated.
- 05:25 Windows on arm laptops can have compatibility issues with apps, such as some not working at all, VPNs, and games with anti-cheat software. When considering a Windows on arm laptop, ensure the necessary apps are compatible before purchasing. The chosen laptop features premium build quality, all-metal design, and solid fundamentals.
- 07:05 A review of a new laptop with USBA and USBC ports, LCD touchscreen, and built-in GPU, although lacking an OLED option. It has strong overall performance but not suitable for high-end gaming. The laptop stays cool and quiet, featuring a dedicated co-pilot button and an npu for AI-related processing.
- 08:44 The Surface laptop is a good start, especially for those waiting for a premium matte black Windows laptop on arm. The main consideration is whether the software you use works on arm. Dbrand's x-ray line offers a unique way to see inside devices. Check out the link below for more details on the x-ray skins.