ARM chip Archives

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Windows on Arm had another good year

The tech landscape is expected to see significant advancements in chips and software by 2026, particularly with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series enhancing Arm-based Windows laptops. The Snapdragon X chips improved performance and battery life, making Windows on Arm laptops more viable, especially in Microsoft’s Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lines. However, challenges with app compatibility persisted, limiting users to simplified versions of software like Adobe Lightroom. In 2025, software enhancements allowed more creative applications to run natively or through improved emulation, including Adobe Premiere Pro and a functioning version of Lightroom Classic on lower-end Snapdragon X Plus chips. Gaming options improved with advancements in emulator technology, and compatibility for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat was established. The Xbox game launcher expanded to support local installations on Arm devices. Despite the growing appeal of Windows on Arm laptops, traditional x86 options remain dominant for gaming. The first generation of Snapdragon X chips set new benchmarks for battery life, but competition from Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix Point chips is emerging. Nvidia is rumored to be developing an Arm-based chip for Alienware laptops, indicating a competitive landscape. The gap between x86 and Arm Windows laptops is narrowing, with Arm laptops becoming more accessible, though x86 systems are likely to remain preferred for gamers. Microsoft’s evolution of Windows into an “agentic OS” raises questions about the future of Windows laptops.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

A new discrete gaming GPU evidently supports Windows on ARM for the first time — and it’s not from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel

China's Lisuan Technology, founded in 2021, has launched the 7G106 GPU, the first discrete graphics card compatible with Windows on ARM, aimed at disrupting the consumer gaming hardware market. Released in July 2025, the 7G106 is China's first 6nm GPU for gaming, featuring 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM and support for DirectX 12. A demonstration video shows the GPU running on a 12-core CP8180 v9 ARM chip, confirming its compatibility with Windows on ARM. Qualcomm announced a refresh of its Snapdragon line with the Snapdragon X2 in September 2025, which enhances performance for ARM-based Windows 11 PCs but lacks compatibility with discrete GPUs from major manufacturers.

BetaBeacon

November 19, 2025

The first ‘official’ Android game spotted on Steam suggests you might not need to buy games twice to run them natively on the Steam Frame’s own chip

Valve's new VR headset, Steam Frame, can play games in various ways, including streaming PC VR games, emulating PC VR games on its own Arm-chip, or playing native Arm games in the form of .apk files. There is a possibility that if you purchase a game for your gaming PC, you may also be offered the .apk version for free to use on the Steam Frame. The addition of OpenXR support may make it easier to get virtual reality games working on different devices.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Steam Machine and Steam Frame: your questions answered

Valve is developing a game console called the Steam Machine, set to be released in early 2026. It is a compact gaming PC designed to fit into entertainment setups, resembling a 6-inch cube and running on SteamOS. The Steam Machine will feature a wireless controller and is claimed to have six times the performance of the Steam Deck while maintaining compatibility with its game library. Its dimensions are 152mm tall, 162.4mm deep, and 156mm wide. Pricing has not been disclosed, but Valve aims to keep it affordable within the entry-level PC market. Valve is also introducing a new Steam Controller that combines traditional gamepad features with advanced inputs and customization options. It includes drift-resistant joysticks and "Grip Sense" technology for enhanced gameplay. Additionally, Valve is developing a VR headset called the Steam Frame, which supports both flat-screen and VR gaming. It can stream games from a nearby PC and is designed to work with the Steam Machine for improved streaming quality. The estimated battery life for the Steam Frame is between one to four hours, depending on usage.

BetaBeacon

November 13, 2025

The Steam Frame is a surprising new twist on VR

Valve is set to release the Steam Frame, a standalone VR headset that can play flat-screen Windows games directly from the device or stream games wirelessly from a gaming PC. The headset offers a seamless gaming experience with innovative foveated streaming technology and comfortable design. The Steam Frame aims to revolutionize the VR industry with its focus on wireless gameplay and competitive price point.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft Releases First Windows 11 26H1 Build for Canary Testers

Microsoft has released the first build of Windows 11 version 26H1 for Insiders on the Canary Channel, focusing on refining the platform's architecture to support specific silicon advancements rather than introducing new features. The release is not a feature update for version 25H2 and requires no action from customers. It is expected to be optimized for new Copilot+ PCs powered by next-generation ARM silicon from Qualcomm and potentially other manufacturers. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite chips are anticipated to debut in the first half of 2026, while Nvidia's ARM-based N1X chip and MediaTek's ARM chip for Chromebook Plus devices have also emerged. The current build 28000 does not introduce new features, as version 25H2 remains the primary source for new updates, including enhancements like rearranging dashboards in the Widgets Board and a streamlined Quick Machine Recovery experience.

Winsage

September 25, 2025

Google and Qualcomm are prepping ‘desktop’ Android to enable ‘mobile and PC’ in one device, but should Windows and x86 be afraid?

Qualcomm and Google announced a collaboration at the Snapdragon Summit 2025 to develop a desktop version of Google's Android operating system, traditionally used on smartphones. The initiative aims to create a device powered by an Arm chip, moving away from the x86 architecture prevalent in PCs. This development aligns with Google's plan to base ChromeOS on Android, allowing Android apps to run natively on laptops and desktops. The anticipated benefits of the new device include affordability, exceptional battery life due to Arm CPUs, and a seamless web browsing experience. However, challenges remain for the gaming sector, as evidenced by Valve's decision to stop plans for Steam on Chromebooks. The collaboration may indicate a significant shift towards Arm architecture in the PC market.

Winsage

March 15, 2025

Rumour: Valve about to launch SteamOS for all PCs

SteamOS is set to be released for all PCs, with expanded hardware support indicated by recent rumors and code changes. Valve announced during CES 2025 that SteamOS will be available to third-party manufacturers, with the Lenovo Legion Go S being the first device to feature it, launching in May 2025. This marks a shift from Valve's previous attempts with Steam Machines. SteamOS is designed as a streamlined Linux alternative for gaming enthusiasts, aiming to compete with Windows by offering a simplified interface. Nvidia's introduction of an ARM chip raises speculation about broader hardware compatibility, potentially including ARM-based devices.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Qualcomm’s next-gen ARM chip for Windows to add 50% more cores

Qualcomm is developing the Snapdragon X2 processor for Windows PCs, featuring up to 18 Oryon V3 cores and designated as SC8480XP. It will utilize a system-in-package (SiP) design, integrating RAM and flash storage to enhance data transfer speeds and energy efficiency. Potential configurations may include up to 48GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The Snapdragon X2 is expected to be a high-TDP variant, with thermal management innovations including an all-in-one liquid cooling solution. It is branded as “Snapdragon X2 Ultra Premium” and aims to compete with Intel, AMD, and Apple's M-series chips. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite Gen 2 will incorporate the Oryon v3 CPU, following the Oryon v2, which offers a 30% performance boost and 57% increase in power efficiency. The Snapdragon X2 could impact the Windows on ARM ecosystem, although challenges with software compatibility and market adoption remain.

AppWizard

September 24, 2024

Valve could come to the rescue of Copilot+ PCs for running games, as test version of Proton for Arm CPUs is spotted

Valve is exploring a version of its Proton translation layer for Arm processors, specifically an Arm64 variant called ‘proton-arm64ec-4’, which is being tested with various PC games. The Steam Deck operates on an Arm chip, contrasting with the existing x86 AMD custom Zen 2 CPU model. The potential benefits of an Arm-based Steam Deck include cost-effectiveness and improved battery life. Valve may be aiming to create a version of Steam compatible with Arm-based Windows 11 laptops, particularly targeting the anticipated growth in Copilot+ PCs by 2025. Currently, Arm-based laptops using Snapdragon X face limitations in the selection of playable titles due to Microsoft’s Prism technology. Valve's initiative to develop Proton for Arm chips is still in preliminary stages, and it is uncertain if it will lead to a final product.