Arm-based Archives

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows on Arm vs Intel: Which laptop platform is right for you?

The Windows laptop market has shifted towards devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, moving away from traditional Intel and AMD architectures. This initiative, known as Windows on Arm, has produced notable products like the Asus ZenBook A14 and Dell XPS 13, which are praised for their performance in AI applications and impressive battery life. These devices can run Intel-based applications through an emulation layer called Prism, which translates x86-64 code into ARM64 instructions, allowing compatibility with non-native software. While they perform well for office tasks and some creative applications, limitations exist in gaming and high-demand software due to the need for specific drivers and graphics performance. Currently, the market features three Windows on Arm processors: Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus, and X. Pricing for these laptops often exceeds ,000, making Intel and AMD options more appealing for budget-conscious consumers.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft Surface PCs with Arm-based AMD chip could arrive in 2026

Microsoft is set to introduce a new line of Surface PCs in 2026 featuring AMD's Arm-based chip, codenamed Sound Wave. The Sound Wave chip is expected to be an APU with six CPU cores (two for performance and four for efficiency) and an integrated GPU with four compute units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, designed for a thermal envelope of 5-10W. This suggests a strategy for low-powered Surface PCs, potentially refreshing the Surface Go or Surface Hub models. This will be the first time since the Surface Laptop 4 that Microsoft incorporates an AMD processor into its Surface lineup. Recently, Microsoft launched new models, including a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop, powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, which may outperform the upcoming AMD Sound Wave chip.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft App Assure helps Nord Security build for Windows on Arm

Developers are focusing on optimizing applications for the newly launched Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced system architecture, all-day battery life, and the ability to run AI models directly on the device. The initial Copilot+ PCs are powered by Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus silicon, with AMD and Intel also introducing compatible processors. Microsoft’s App Assure Program provides guidance and technical support to help developers optimize applications for these devices, particularly for Arm-based Snapdragon X Series devices. NordVPN is a notable example of a company that successfully utilized the App Assure program to develop an Arm-optimized version of their application. The program includes the Arm Advisory Service, which allows developers to consult with Microsoft engineers for a smoother development process. Other companies, such as Proton VPN and F-Secure, have also benefited from the App Assure team in optimizing their applications for the Windows on Arm platform.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Huawei’s Kirin X90 may be the company’s ‘Apple Silicon’ moment — Matebook Pro 2025 features in-house hardware and software

Huawei introduced its Matebook Pro 2025 laptops, powered by the Kirin X90 system-on-chip (SoC) developed by its HiSilicon subsidiary. The Kirin X90 features a 10-core layout (4+4+2) with 20 threads and is expected to utilize a combination of Taishan V121 architecture for prime cores, Taishan V120 for performance cores, and a standard Cortex design for efficiency cores. The Matebook Pro operates on HarmonyOS, a new operating system independent of Linux and Android, allowing Huawei to reduce reliance on Microsoft. The Kirin X90 is anticipated to be manufactured using SMIC's 7nm process node, which may limit its performance. The success of HarmonyOS will depend on developers transitioning existing applications to the platform. The Matebook Pro is set to be released on May 19.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft introduces Surface PCs that run AI models and cost less than earlier versions

Microsoft introduced two next-generation Copilot+ PCs, the Surface Pro convertible tablet and a traditional Surface Laptop, designed to operate AI models without internet connectivity. The Surface Laptop starts at 9, while the Surface Pro starts at 9, both reflecting a 0 reduction from last year's models. They are powered by an Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chip with eight cores and have slightly reduced screen sizes of 12 inches for the Pro and 13 inches for the Laptop. The Surface Laptop now supports up to 16 hours of web browsing, an increase from 13 hours. The new machines run on Windows 11 and feature AI-enhanced capabilities, including a Recall function and improved file search. Preorders began on Tuesday for a release on May 20, with color options of platinum, ocean, and violet. Microsoft reported a nearly 75% year-over-year increase in Windows 11 commercial deployments.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

Microsoft rolls Windows Recall out to the public nearly a year after announcing it

Microsoft is rolling out enhancements for Copilot+ PCs, including the Recall feature and a revamped Search function that understands contextual meanings for a more intuitive experience. The new "Click to Do" feature allows users to copy text from images, search on-screen content, and summarize or rewrite text by pressing the Windows key and clicking. To use Copilot+, PCs must have specific hardware requirements, including a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of over 40 trillion operations per second. Supported processors for Copilot+ include Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, Intel's Core Ultra 200V-series laptop chips, and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series. The Recall feature and enhanced Search are available for both Arm and x86 PCs, while some Click to Do features are exclusive to Arm systems.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Mystery of the vanishing seaplane: why did Windows 11 24H2 cause the vehicle to disappear from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?

A coding error within Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas caused the Skimmer plane to launch into the sky after the Windows 11 24H2 update. The issue was traced to an incorrect calculation for the vehicle's Z axis in the configuration file, which had gone unnoticed until the update changed how the game processed positioning values. Prior to the update, the game read values from a previous vehicle, but the update introduced a new platform that altered this behavior, resulting in the plane receiving an excessively high Z value.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them

Windows 11 has released a new preview build in the Beta channel, identified as build 26120.3872, which includes enhancements for accessibility and search functionality, particularly for Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon processors. The update introduces Microsoft's 'Reading Coach' app, available for free starting in 2024, as part of the Click to Do functionality that uses AI for context-sensitive actions. Additionally, Voice Access has been improved, allowing users to customize the system's dictionary by adding specific words for better recognition. The update also includes various tweaks to enhance overall functionality, with a focus on expanding access to these features across different devices.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

I ran Windows 11 inside a Docker container… on my Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi series has evolved into versatile systems, but running Windows has been challenging for enthusiasts. A recent project explored running Windows 11 on the Raspberry Pi 5 using Runtipi, a platform for deploying containers. This method allows Windows 11 to run in a container using KVM technology. The installation process took about 38-43 minutes, resulting in a Windows 11 desktop with limited performance, including a capped display resolution of 800x600. Geekbench 6 tests showed single-core performance similar to Raspberry Pi OS, but multi-core performance was lower. Running PC games resulted in long load times and resolution issues, making the experience unsatisfactory. The containerized approach simplifies the installation process compared to traditional methods, making it a viable option for running lightweight applications on the Raspberry Pi.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 Update Bug Triggers BSOD Error

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant bug in its Windows 11 24H2 updates, causing Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes with the error code “SECUREKERNELERROR” (0x18B). This issue has escalated since the April 2025 Patch Tuesday update, affecting thousands of users globally. The bug leads to system crashes after installing the updates, resulting in persistent crash-restart loops or unbootable systems. Initially reported in March 2025, the problem gained traction following the April update, prompting Microsoft to confirm the bug and investigate its cause. Other issues include failures with Windows Hello and compatibility problems with games and software, particularly on ARM-based devices. To address the crisis, Microsoft has implemented a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to disable the problematic code, which is being automatically pushed to affected devices, although users may experience a delay of up to 24 hours. Users are advised to keep their devices connected to the internet and restart their PCs multiple times to expedite the fix. For enterprise environments, IT administrators must manually deploy a specific Group Policy update. Microsoft is working on a permanent solution, expected in a future update, while also acknowledging related issues and committing to further fixes in the upcoming May 2025 update.