Microsoft Expands Windows-on-ARM Efforts
Microsoft is ramping up its efforts to make Windows-on-ARM more mainstream, with a new chipset in the works. The recent release of Snapdragon X laptops from Microsoft, Samsung, Dell, HP, and Lenovo is just the beginning.
Reuters reports that Microsoft has enlisted MediaTek to design an alternative chipset for Windows devices. This move aims to provide manufacturers with more diverse options beyond the Qualcomm-designed Snapdragon X.
The upcoming MediaTek chip will be based on standard ARM cores, which could streamline development processes. However, it remains uncertain if this new design will meet the requirements for Microsoft’s Copilot+ program, which demands a minimum of 40 TOPS of on-device AI compute power.
While the MediaTek chip is not expected to debut until late next year, the delay is not solely due to development time. Sources suggest that an exclusivity agreement between Qualcomm and Microsoft, set to last until 2025, is also a factor.
MediaTek, known for producing chips for Chromebooks under the Kompanio brand, may leverage this experience for the Windows chipset. The new chip is anticipated to feature Cortex CPU cores and Mali/Immortalis GPUs, aligning with ARM’s standard components.
Furthermore, MediaTek is collaborating with Nvidia on a separate ARM-based chip for Windows, emphasizing that these projects are distinct. Last year, reports surfaced that AMD is also exploring an ARM-based chip for Windows, potentially incorporating Radeon GPU technology.
As the landscape of Windows-on-ARM evolves, the involvement of multiple chipset manufacturers signals a shift towards greater diversity and innovation in the market.
