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Arm-based chips

Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more
Winsage
February 18, 2026

Microsoft details Windows 11 26H1 support cycle, CPU requirements (just Snapdragon X2 for now), and more

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 26H1 will be supported for consumers until March 2028, with rollout starting for PCs with eligible CPUs, specifically the Snapdragon X2 family, which includes Snapdragon X2 Plus, Snapdragon X2 Elite, and Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. The official launch occurred on February 10, 2026, alongside its first cumulative update. Users with first-generation Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs cannot upgrade to this version. Windows 11 26H1 is described as a "hardware-optimized release" aimed at enhancing performance and efficiency for Arm-based chips, though it does not promise significant enhancements over version 25H2 or the upcoming 26H2. Enterprise and Education editions will be supported until March 13, 2029, while Home and Pro editions will be supported until March 14, 2028. Windows 11 SE is not supported in 26H1. A new release, Windows 11 26H2, is expected to be available for all users, including those with first-generation Arm-based PCs, and will be the recommended update for broader deployment. Upgrades from version 25H1 to 26H1 are not possible, and all upgrade paths are currently closed, with plans to transition to version 27H2 in the latter half of 2027.
VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven't forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig
Winsage
January 12, 2026

VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig

The latest update to VLC, versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, introduces native support for Arm processors, specifically for Windows ARM64, requiring a minimum of Windows 10 RS5 17763 / 1809. This update improves playback across various formats, enhances subtitle rendering, includes codec updates, introduces a Dark Mode user interface, allows users to manage playing files, and addresses multiple security issues. The Snapdragon X2 Plus chip outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors, delivering up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the former and a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the latter. Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications.
Arm says Windows game compatibility is up to developers
Winsage
June 10, 2025

Arm says Windows game compatibility is up to developers

Arm-powered Windows devices using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are noted for their sleek designs and long battery life. While core compatibility issues have been largely resolved, gaming remains a challenge due to anti-cheat program compatibility, which can prevent games from launching. Chris Bergey from Arm Holdings mentioned that most users spend about 90% of their time on applications with native Arm versions. Major developers like Epic Games are exploring ways to improve compatibility with Arm-based systems. Additionally, anti-cheat issues affect the Steam Deck, which operates on an AMD processor but lacks native versions of several popular anti-cheat systems. As Arm-based Windows devices gain market share, game developers are expected to prioritize support for these platforms. The integration of Windows and Steam into Arm-based handheld devices could transform the gaming landscape, especially with improved battery life and efficiency.
Update for Windows PCs with ARM chips could improve compatibility with x86 games and applications
Winsage
November 9, 2024

Update for Windows PCs with ARM chips could improve compatibility with x86 games and applications

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors are the fastest ARM-based chips for Windows laptops, making ARM-powered PCs viable alternatives to Intel and AMD. Microsoft has introduced an emulator named Prism to facilitate the execution of x86 applications on Windows PCs. The latest version of Prism enhances performance by supporting additional CPU features during emulation and simulates a virtual x86 CPU, allowing non-natively compatible software to run. It adds support for several x86 instruction set extensions, including AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, and F16C, improving compatibility for PC games. The updated Prism is accessible in Windows 11 24H2 and supports any 64-bit x86 application, enabling previously blocked games and creative applications to operate on ARM processors. The new version is currently available to Windows Insider program members, with no details on a broader release timeline.
Valve could be planning to bring Windows gaming to Linux systems with ARM chips - Liliputing
Winsage
September 23, 2024

Valve could be planning to bring Windows gaming to Linux systems with ARM chips – Liliputing

Valve is testing a version of its Proton software for ARM processors, indicated by the designation "proton-arm64ec." This development suggests potential support for ARM-based devices, possibly hinting at an ARM-powered handheld device, a VR headset, or the expansion of SteamOS to third-party hardware. Valve has not officially confirmed these intentions, and the information comes from updates tracked by SteamDB.
With Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Asus Vivobook S 15 ushers a new Windows era
Winsage
July 18, 2024

With Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Asus Vivobook S 15 ushers a new Windows era

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon X Elite chip for Windows PCs, with Asus' Vivobook S 15 being one of the first laptops to feature it. The Vivobook S 15 is priced at ₹1,24,990 and comes with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The laptop offers excellent performance, battery life, and gaming capabilities, showcasing the potential of ARM-based chips in the Windows ecosystem. The Asus Vivobook S 15 also features an OLED display rated at up to 600 nits of brightness and an all-metal design.
We tested over a dozen laptops to see how Snapdragon compares to Intel, AMD, and Apple’s chips
Winsage
July 6, 2024

We tested over a dozen laptops to see how Snapdragon compares to Intel, AMD, and Apple’s chips

Microsoft has been working on making Windows on Arm a viable platform for 12 years. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips are turning Windows on Arm into a competitive platform, with good performance in single-core and multicore benchmarks. The Snapdragon chips fall behind in GPU performance compared to Apple's M3 chip. The Snapdragon laptops offer longer battery life compared to Intel and AMD-based laptops. The Snapdragon Copilot Plus PCs are priced competitively and offer better performance and battery life for less money. Qualcomm's lead in Windows on Arm may be challenged by upcoming processors from Intel and AMD.
Surface Pro 11 and Laptop 7 review: An Apple Silicon moment for Windows
Winsage
July 3, 2024

Surface Pro 11 and Laptop 7 review: An Apple Silicon moment for Windows

Microsoft's new flagship Surface hardware, powered exclusively by Arm-based chips for the first time, takes a similar approach to Apple's Apple Silicon Macs by keeping the exterior design similar to their Intel-powered predecessors. The Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 look almost identical to their previous versions, with features like touch screens, face-scanning webcams, and Surface Connect ports. The Surface Laptop 7 is similar in design and feel to the MacBook Air, with a great keyboard and trackpad, while the Surface Pro 11 remains a well-built tablet with a detachable keyboard cover. Windows on Arm has improved in terms of app compatibility, but emulated apps still show some lag compared to native apps. Games and drivers are still a challenge on Arm-based Windows PCs.
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