What's Your Opinion of Windows 11 on ARM?
What's Your Opinion of Windows 11 on ARM?
I'm surprised by the limited app support for my ARM Windows installation. After using it for a while, I thought more options would be available. It's much weaker compared to platforms like Raspberry Pi or the new Macs from Apple. Apps such as Chrome and Firefox are missing, and while Microsoft offers ARM versions, very few people use them. Anyone else using Windows on ARM? Share your thoughts!
I've received a few surface X models that were discarded by a client due to unmet expectations. The experience feels similar to Windows 8 RT but with noticeable sluggishness. Native applications also perform poorly. It seems the system is clearly rooted in an x86 architecture, and I question its long-term viability given Microsoft's direction. Essentially, I'm leaning toward abandoning ARM Windows devices in favor of Windows 11. Perhaps Windows 12 will bring some improvements. Driver support is crucial too—Qualcomm and other ARM makers typically release drivers for their chips for about three years before discontinuing them. Once that window closes, new operating systems usually can't support those chips unless they rely on outdated drivers. This is similar to the Android ecosystem, where some devices from 2021 run on high-end chips but never receive updates because manufacturers refuse to provide drivers anymore. This isn't sustainable in the PC market, where typical usage spans up to eight years, far exceeding Qualcomm's three-year support period.
It's been a long time since few devices existed, and they were all weak and uninteresting, making it hard for anyone to care. I think Microsoft had a deal with Samsung that made them the sole ARM CPU provider for Windows, and until now they've performed poorly. The newest models are finally starting to work well, though it could improve. Users who run Windows on ARM in virtual machines on Apple Silicon Macs say it works great, but the hardware is still limited.
With the pro x sq1 in hand, performance is slow and it demands a lot of effort, leading to around six hours of battery life if things go well. It’s been used infrequently and the battery remains at over 90% health, but because of its weak CPU it has to work hard, causing significant drain. It’s disappointing since these items are decent, but the weak CPU really limits them compared to typical x86 devices.
This price point for a used iPad or Samsung tablet seems unrealistic compared to recent tech releases. Last year Microsoft developed something comparable to Apple's 2020 DTK. It looks like they’re addressing key issues and planning improvements. With a strong processor, they could achieve powerful performance in a compact size similar to a Think Centre while avoiding thermal problems.
On Windows for ARM you must rely on a compatible CPU or SoC, meaning avoid generic options like pi4. Stick to the latest Windows release for optimal performance. Ensure your experience uses native ARM64 applications, while x86/64 versions work too. Office, Edge, VLC should run with ARM64 builds, and built-in tools are ideal. For other services, use PWA apps—like turning Spotify into a web app. Don’t expect a Mac M1 setup; Microsoft is tied to Qualcomm, which doesn’t see a role for PCs anymore, even with Apple proving ARM’s potential. The company resembles its past self, missing forward thinking.