Microsoft's ARM Strategy: A Missed Opportunity in the Tech World
Written on
Chapter 1: The Outdoor Laptop Dilemma
If you’ve ever attempted to use a laptop outside, you know it can be both delightful and exasperating. Issues like overheating, screen glare, and battery drain from high brightness levels can be significant challenges. Yet, when conditions align, you experience the magical freedom of working from virtually anywhere in the world.
This realization led me to purchase a Surface Pro X last year. Despite Microsoft’s mixed efforts, it has become one of my most thrilling tech acquisitions of 2021. Initially, I saw it as a device primarily for video calls and casual web browsing in my garden, all while maintaining the flexibility to run Windows applications for photo editing, 3D modeling, and other tasks that an iPad simply couldn’t handle.
However, my journey with the Surface Pro X has not been without its struggles. The app compatibility for Windows on ARM fell short of expectations, yet its retail price aligns with that of more robust devices that offer no compromises—something the Surface does not deliver.
Chapter 2: Compromises and Discoveries
Despite its limitations, I found myself reluctant to switch to a different device.
After a significant price drop due to a bidding win on eBay, I acquired a nearly new model for under £400, and with the introduction of 64-bit app emulation, the drawbacks of using an ARM processor with Windows became more tolerable.
In practice, for everyday tasks, it performs adequately. The stunning display and the Surface Slim Pen are fantastic for drawing. While it doesn’t quite match the performance of the Apple M1, it is comparable to an 8th generation i5 processor and operates smoothly. The fanless design runs quietly, and the device remains cool even under heavy use, effortlessly managing both its built-in display and an external 4K monitor without lag. Most applications function well through emulation.
However, this capability is both the strongest advantage and the greatest disappointment of the Surface Pro X. Although applications can run in emulation, performance is affected, and battery life suffers as a result. In addition, certain critical applications, such as Google Drive, are incompatible, which is frustrating.
What’s particularly aggravating is that while macOS apps have had ARM64 versions available since the M1 MacBook Air was launched, Windows has boasted an ARM version since 2011, yet Google has still not developed a Google Drive app.
Chapter 3: The Chicken-and-Egg Dilemma
Some may argue that the lack of widespread Windows-on-ARM laptops discourages developers from creating ARM-compatible versions of their applications, perpetuating the cycle of limited adoption. However, I believe this issue stems directly from Microsoft’s lack of commitment to making ARM a legitimate alternative.
For instance, some bundled Windows applications remain x86-only. Take the Your Phone app, which is intended to maintain a constant connection with smartphones. Operating under emulation means it consumes more resources and battery power than necessary. While this isn’t a major issue for a small app, it exemplifies Microsoft’s indifference towards the platform even ten years after launching RT and two years after promoting the Surface Pro X as a versatile device, claiming it offered performance three times that of the previous Intel MacBook Air generation.
Chapter 4: A Personal Device Revolution
I had originally planned to use the Surface Pro X solely as a tablet, but it has now become my primary device, relegating my laptop to a drawer. It is lightweight, stylish, and meets my needs better than any other device currently available. Despite its limitations, it performs adequately—yet this wouldn’t be an issue if Apple hadn’t demonstrated with the M1 MacBooks that a commitment to innovation can lead to exceptional results, not just satisfactory ones.
A critical look at Microsoft and Qualcomm's promises regarding ARM technology.
An analysis of the Surface Pro X and the misconceptions surrounding its performance.