Microsoft has to do this because most Windows OEMs don’t have the business model to do it. If you’re some budget PC maker with slim margins per unit, you’re not going to match Apple’s R&D spend on ARM chips. Even if you do, you don’t control the OS.
Microsoft can, and they have a vested interest in the whole Windows ecosystem having competitive ARM chips.
I think now that Apple’s shown what’s possible with the M1, everybody is thinking long and hard about how much they really need x86.
I think it's more about Azure data centers. That's their money maker. If ARM chips can reduce datacenter power usage and improve performance that's a HUGE win-win.
I expect AMD to have even more competitive desktop processors in the not so distant future. AMD chips aren't that far behind the M1 on the desktop except on power usage where the M1 is unmatched. There's been talks AMD was already working on an ARM solution even before M1. It just takes years to materialize. (It could all be gossip).
Still, it's impressive a Macbook Air LAPTOP with passive cooling can better a Windows gaming DESTOP.
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[ 2.4 ms ] story [ 609 ms ] threadMicrosoft can, and they have a vested interest in the whole Windows ecosystem having competitive ARM chips.
I think now that Apple’s shown what’s possible with the M1, everybody is thinking long and hard about how much they really need x86.
I expect AMD to have even more competitive desktop processors in the not so distant future. AMD chips aren't that far behind the M1 on the desktop except on power usage where the M1 is unmatched. There's been talks AMD was already working on an ARM solution even before M1. It just takes years to materialize. (It could all be gossip).
Still, it's impressive a Macbook Air LAPTOP with passive cooling can better a Windows gaming DESTOP.