I only use Arm based computers: M1 mini computer and a Qualcomm SnapdragonWindows 2-in-1s have been around for years. Although my complaints are almost zero Apple SiliconMicrosoft’s platform falls short by comparison, but the incremental growth continues. When I write a Long term review of Windows on Arm In March 2024, I highlighted a disadvantage for every advantage. But I also can’t imagine going back to an Intel-equipped PC, and I end this review on an optimistic note as Microsoft prepares to roll out major improvements to Windows on Arm.
Sure enough, in April 2024, Microsoft placed a big bet on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chipsets, claiming to compete head-on with Apple’s M series. The leap in performance allows Microsoft to significantly upgrade the compatibility layer so that any application can run on Windows on Arm. called prismwhich is as efficient as Apple’s Rosetta 2 emulator and emulates applications on Arm machines twice as fast as previous generations of Windows.
Cracking Arm code
I spent a few weeks testing the new Honor MagicBook 14 Art, which comes with Snapdragon X Elite and other flagship hardware. The impact is almost immediate: Apps that struggled on Windows on Arm a year ago now have native support, from Google Drive to ExpressVPN, and the list is steadily growing. After ten years of hard work, has Microsoft finally cracked the Arm code?
The MagicBook 14 Art runs on a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite (X1E80100)—the same processor found in top-tier Surface laptops, and I’ll get right to the point: This is the real deal. The performance of previous generations of Windows on Arm laptops, like the one I’ve been using for the past two years, often felt like a smartphone stuck inside a computer body. In comparison, the Snapdragon X Elite performs strongly and can handle any task I throw at it with ease. Apps open instantly and resume workflow, multitasking between resource-intensive software is a breeze, and it doesn’t randomly freeze, an issue that frequently forced me to restart the X Elite’s predecessor.
The biggest game changer for Windows on Arm
Unlike the rest of the industry and its earlier chips, Qualcomm has ditched hybrid architecture, where you’ll find a mix of performance and efficiency cores, in favor of homogeneous cores where each core can handle both types. workload. This approach seems to be working well for Qualcomm. Honor MagicBook 14 Art outperforms M2 processor in Geekbench 6 benchmark MacBook Air Perform single-core and multi-core testing. Thermal performance is equally excellent. The laptop’s built-in fan occasionally kicks on to keep it cool, but rarely does it make a lot of noise or get too hot.
Of course, those numbers wouldn’t matter if the Snapdragon X Elite chips didn’t embody the reason why laptop makers are switching to Arm in the first place: efficiency. While it can’t match the MacBook Air’s durability, I’m impressed with the MagicBook’s numbers considering the hardware. When running a 2K 120Hz 14.7-inch screen at medium brightness, its 60W battery lasted about 10 hours in “Balanced” power mode—enough to get through a busy workday—while dropping to 7-hours in “Performance” mode. 8 hours. These are nowhere near the stats claimed by Qualcomm and Honor, but I like the consistency of this laptop compared to its peers Intel other side.
My contact with Snapdragon X Elite also gave me a preliminary understanding of the future of device-side artificial intelligence.
Contact with Snapdragon X Elite also gave me a preliminary understanding of the future of devices AI. The built-in neural processing unit has 45 teraflops of computing power for a lag-free generative AI experience, whether generating objects to add to images in Paint or rewinding days’ worth of snapshots with the new Recall tool.
Of course, during this experience, I was more curious about how far Windows on the Arm platform has come. Previously, even necessary features like VPN apps couldn’t run on Arm-based Windows PCs. Fortunately, this has changed with the arrival of the new Prism emulator. Most mainstream programs, including Google ChromeAdobe Photoshop, Google Drive and ExpressVPN have added native support. Even chips that are already compatible with Arm chips will work better thanks to Snapdragon X Elite. Especially with web browsers, I would often experience lags, but that is no longer the case unless something happens.
Slick new hardware is just part of the fun
As a long-time Windows on Arm user, the biggest sign that Microsoft is on the right track came when I loaded the unsupported high-resolution FPS game Counter-Strike 2 on my MagicBook 14 Art. Not only did it run successfully, but it achieved a smooth 50-60 fps on low graphics settings. Future Windows updates, e.g. one Already rolling out to early testers, it should allow a wider range of unsupported programs (such as next-generation video games) to run without crashing.
Paired with premium specs and the reliability of the Snapdragon X Elite, the Honor MagicBook 14 Art delivers one of the best Windows experiences I’ve ever had. It comes with 32GB of memory, a 1TB solid-state drive, weighs only 2.2 pounds, is 0.39 inches at its thinnest point, and sells for about $1,750. However, Honor has found room for a host of legacy ports, including HDMI, USB-A, a pair of USB-C, and a headphone jack. Its highlight, though, is still the modular webcam, which you can detach and hide to the side for more privacy and an edge-to-edge screen. Unfortunately, the Honor MagicBook 14 Art is not readily available in the United States, but several of its products The best artificial intelligence computer Offers comparable hardware and performance, minus the unique detachable webcam.
What to do next?
Snapdragon X chips mark a new era for Windows on Arm
Snapdragon X chips signal a new era of Windows on Arm, and could convince even long-time Intel users change Camp. However, whether Microsoft can successfully tide over the difficulties is still a question mark. Qualcomm’s dispute with ArmFor example, it might be prevented from selling Snapdragon X chips outright. In a broader sense, Snapdragon X computers are still a niche product, Represents only a small portion of total Windows laptop sales. However, if Microsoft can close the compatibility gap and add versatility to the lineup with more computing partners like Nvidia and AMD, the future of Windows on Arm looks bright.