native versions Archives

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Google’s Drive app is now available for Windows on Arm

Google has launched a beta version of the Google Drive desktop application for Windows 11 devices powered by Snapdragon chips, which mirrors the functionality of versions for Intel and AMD systems, except for the Outlook Meet plugin. The beta can be downloaded directly from Google and requires Windows 11 and Microsoft WebView2 for installation. This development enhances software parity for Snapdragon-powered PCs with x86 counterparts, following the earlier release of Chrome for Arm PCs and other native applications like Blender and Start11. Many applications still rely on Microsoft’s Prism emulation, which is being optimized for better performance.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Qualcomm’s x86 challenges with Windows on Arm

Qualcomm is working to establish Arm-based Windows laptops as a viable alternative in computing, utilizing Snapdragon processors that offer extended battery life, fanless designs, and integrated 5G connectivity. The company aims to address the software compatibility challenges faced by users of traditional x86 machines by relying on Microsoft's x86-64 emulation, which allows Arm devices to run x86 applications. However, this emulation often leads to performance issues and increased battery drain, particularly with demanding applications like Adobe Creative Cloud and AutoCAD. Qualcomm's strategy suggests a need for investment in native Windows on Arm software and a push for Microsoft to optimize Windows for Arm architecture. The company should also consider positioning Arm laptops as secondary devices for light tasks rather than direct competitors to x86 machines.

Winsage

October 22, 2024

Blender and other Windows apps are now available for Snapdragon X Windows PCs

Qualcomm showcased its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for smartphones and highlighted its Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips for Windows 11 PCs at its annual developer summit. The company announced that various content creation applications will natively support its chips for Windows 11 devices, known as Copilot+ PCs. Notable applications include Blender, which has a new version available for Snapdragon X-based Windows PCs, and Qualcomm has joined The Blender Foundation. Additionally, Qualcomm introduced a free NPU-based plug-in for Blender that simulates rendering on the NPU using a neural network. Other applications set to offer native versions for Snapdragon X-based Windows PCs include CaptureOne, a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo, and Moises. Qualcomm has not announced plans for a next-generation Snapdragon X chip.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

The death of x86 may be “severely exaggerated,” but these native Arm apps are here to threaten Intel and AMD

Several popular applications have been optimized for Windows on Arm, including NordVPN, Arc Browser, Foxit PDF Editor, and Notion, which now run natively on Windows 11 on Arm devices. Native applications typically offer better performance and efficiency compared to emulated ones. The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors support a wider range of applications, contributing to the growth of the Windows on Arm app library. Microsoft and Qualcomm have collaborated to improve program performance on Arm devices, leading to a rise in native app availability. Some applications still rely on emulation, but many popular apps are transitioning to native Arm versions.

Winsage

August 22, 2024

Linux Scores A Surprising Gaming Victory Against Windows 11

The Framework 13 laptop, equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor and Radeon 780M graphics, was tested for gaming performance on Windows 11 and Fedora 40. Both operating systems were set to "Performance" mode, and results were recorded from the second run of each benchmark to avoid thermal throttling. In the game "Shadow of the Tomb Raider," Fedora 40 achieved a 7% higher average framerate compared to Windows. For "Total War: Warhammer III," Windows had a slight performance lead, while in "Cyberpunk 2077," Fedora 40 outperformed Windows by 3% without FSR scaling and by 7% with FSR, also showing a 24% increase in minimum framerate when settings were adjusted from Low to Medium. In "Forza Horizon 5," Windows led by 7%, but the performance gap has narrowed significantly compared to previous years.

Winsage

July 20, 2024

Huawei could next aim for Windows after exiting Android roots in China?

Huawei is developing HarmonyOS NEXT, a new operating system free from U.S.-based components and Android, to challenge foreign operating systems in the local market. The company has eliminated all source code related to Android or Linux and integrated self-developed components into the new OS. HarmonyOS NEXT will not support Google or Android-compatible apps but will enhance the performance of Huawei devices. Huawei is also working on HarmonyOS PC, a computer-specific software that could potentially launch in 2024, with leaked information suggesting an earlier release. The Chinese government is supporting Huawei in building the HarmonyOS ecosystem, with the stable version of HarmonyOS NEXT expected to be released in the fourth quarter of this year.

AppWizard

July 10, 2024

Why is PC gaming still terrible on Snapdragon laptops? Blame Steam

Developing games for Windows on Arm is not difficult, as tools have been deployed to make it easier. However, popular PC games with Arm versions available for other platforms are not distributed on Windows laptops with Arm processors due to a lack of support from digital storefronts like Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store. This lack of support is a major roadblock for developers, as distributing and selling games for Windows on Arm is currently not feasible.

Winsage

July 8, 2024

Analyst: Windows on Arm is not ready for the complexities of the PC gaming landscape

Gaming remains a core weakness of Windows on Arm, with only 55% of tested PC games running smoothly without bugs or glitches. Popular multiplayer games like League of Legends, Destiny 2, and Fortnite are currently unplayable on Windows on Arm due to compatibility issues. Arm-based Windows devices only accounted for 0.05% of Steam users in 2024, and Arm-based laptops are expected to account for just 1% of shipments in the same year. Publishers are not incentivized to produce native versions of their games for Arm devices, and distribution platforms like Steam do not support Arm versions of software. Microsoft's Prism translation layer and improvements to Qualcomm's graphics drivers are key aspects needed for better compatibility, but these are not quick fixes and may take several years to improve. Ultimately, without a large audience on Arm devices, publishers and distribution platforms have little incentive to support the Arm platform for PC gaming.

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.

Winsage

June 30, 2024

Windows on arm emulator gets a boost, just in time for Copilot PCs

Arm-based Windows machines require emulation to run x86/x64 apps because they use different instruction sets. Microsoft has improved the Arm emulation with Windows 11 24H2, called Prism, to enhance performance. Despite growing support for Arm-native applications, many apps still require emulation. Testing showed performance improvements in software applications after the Prism update on existing hardware. Microsoft claims that emulated apps on Snapdragon X Elite PCs are more than two times faster than previous-generation Windows Arm devices.