Microsoft seems all set to have a second shot at ARM PCs powered by the company’s latest Windows 10 operating system. However, unlike the first attempt in the form of the Surface RT that was based on a scaled down version of Windows 8, the upcoming devices would capable of running a full-fledged version of Windows 10.
These ARM-powred devices ate said to be built around the latest Snapdragon 835 chip. The latest Snapdragon 835 SoC is pretty much the go-to chipset in almost all flagship mobile devices such as the Galaxy S8. Hence, it would be really interesting to see the same powering a Windows 10 PC as well.
ARM-powered Microsoft Surface Laptop: Specs and Features
Twitter user TheWalkingCat recently shared a few images of what is purportedly called the “Surface Laptop.” He further revealed in his Twitter post that the Surface Laptop would sport a 13.5-inch PixelSense 1080p display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The device is also expected to come with a USB 2.0 port, mini DisplayPort, along with the conventional Surface Dock connector and a headphone jack. However, the laptop won’t offer the new USB Type-C port. That said, nothing is official at the moment, but we’d likely get to know more about the device at Microsoft’s event tomorrow.
Also, as things stand right now, it would be Microsoft and Lenovo that would be among the first to launch an ARM-powered PC. Microsoft would be introducing a version of its popular Surface range with the Snapdragon 835 chip at the core.
Similarly, Lenovo too is expected to come up with a new hardware range powered by an ARM-based processor. The Chinese manufacturer already has extensive experience building ARM Chromebooks powered be Google’s Chrome OS.
Microsoft had earlier stated its plans to rival the popular Chromebook range with its new ARM-powered laptops that would be running the Cloud version of the Windows 10 OS. Chromebooks have turned out to be extremely popular within the student community where it is most sought forgiven its super affordability.
The Redmond giant is expected to announce a mid-range laptop primarily aimed at students. It won’t run a full-fledged version of Windows 10, as the device is likely to ship with Windows 10 Cloud. The laptop is rumored to be the first device running Windows 10 Cloud to hit the market.
The above development can also be considered to be a natural extension of an earlier Microsoft plan to introduce Windows desktop app to ARM chips. For this, the Windows 10 will be provided an emulator that will enable traditional Windows desktop apps such as Photoshop to run on devices powered by ARM chips such as the Snapdragon 835.
Microsoft already has its Build conference next month and the chances are that it might have something more to share on this front. Also maybe, we will get to see some early build of the said devices from the upcoming Computex event as well.
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