On Monday, Microsoft will unveil its vision for a new era of Windows PCs, consisting of Qualcomm’s new Arm-based silicon and combined with next-generation artificial intelligence experiences, leading to new Windows devices that always know what you’re doing, can translate languages in real time, enhance your webcam with artificial lighting and filters, artificially increase performance in games and create text and images on the device.
This combination of hardware and software is something that Microsoft has been working on since early 2021, after it held an intensive meeting with the leaders of Windows and Surface to discuss how it will respond to Apple Silicon. The company discussed a project called CADMUS, which aimed to bring to market a new era of Windows devices that are productive, efficient and capable of artificial intelligence.
Microsoft is working very closely with Qualcomm on the new Snapdragon X chips, which has led to this unprecedented moment for Windows on Arm. This next wave of Windows on Arm devices will be the first with true all-day battery life and consistent instant wake-up without sacrificing performance. These new chips really pack a punch with Apple Silicon.
A new generation of Windows PCs
I’m told internally that Microsoft has described these CADMUS devices as “the next generation of Windows PCs” that feature an exclusive AI experience. Microsoft will introduce the first CADMUS PCs in the form of the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, powered by the Snapdragon X and featuring quality-of-life improvements such as an OLED display on the Pro and an updated laptop design that includes a tactile trackpad.
It is noteworthy that these devices will only available with a Qualcomm Arm chip. You won’t find Intel variants of Microsoft’s latest consumer offerings, and that’s a big deal. This shows how confident Microsoft is in its CADMUS effort, which is further reinforced by the fact that all major OEMs are expected to ship their own Arm-powered devices this summer alongside Microsoft.
This is the first time in the history of Windows on Arm. All of Microsoft’s hardware partners are coming together for this big relaunch of Windows on Arm, and they’re all now confident that Windows on Arm is ready for mainstream audiences. The new chips are so powerful that most emulated programs will no longer feel emulated, which was a big hurdle for Windows on Arm to overcome.
Windows on Arm can no longer be ignored
Not only that, but app developers seem to have finally started taking Windows on Arm seriously. Popular apps like Chrome, Spotify, and Photoshop are now compiled for Windows on Arm, and more apps and developers are connecting. WhatsApp, DaVinci Resolve and other Adobe apps are expected to join the fray soon. This platform can no longer be ignored.
Existing Windows on Arm devices will also benefit from this. The more programs compiled for Arm, the less emulation is required, resulting in better performance and battery life. My Surface Pro X is a better device today than it was two years ago, thanks to app developers finally embracing Arm for many of the apps I use.
It’s not just a flash either. Microsoft fully intends to offer all of its high-end Surface PCs with an Arm chip in the future, including the next Surface Laptop Studio, which I’m told is in the works but likely won’t arrive until 2025.
Microsoft’s big AI push in Windows will be exclusive to Windows on Arm devices for now, at least until Intel and AMD can cook up NPUs (neural processing units) that match what Qualcomm is putting out. With that in mind, I expect the ultimate goal is to make the architecture of the platform irrelevant to the end user. If a Windows PC with a Qualcomm chip is just as capable as a Windows PC with an Intel chip, why does it matter if it’s x86 or Arm?
Everything will be known on Monday
Windows on Arm is finally about to find its way into the spotlight, and for good reason. The combination of silicon and artificial intelligence will be unmatched for a long time. If you’re in the market for a new PC right now and your next one isn’t a Windows on Arm device, you’re making a big mistake.
Windows Central will be present at Microsoft’s Windows and Surface special event on Monday, May 20. Tune in to our live blog at 10am PT (1pm ET, 6pm CST) for all the news. Alternatively, check out the spoilers with our detailed post on what to expect!