The Transition to ARM-Based Hardware: Google’s Support for Windows on ARM Devices

2024-02-03 22:12:00

The move to ARM-based hardware indicates a worldwide trend of switching to these processors, with the most notable company doing so being Apple

Google has started working on a version of Chrome for Windows computers based on ARM processors, a step that marks a significant turn in software support for operating systems running on this type of hardware. To date, Google has not offered official support for Windows on ARM through its popular browser, Chrome, leaving users with limited options for other browsers or using suboptimal emulation.

The integration of Chrome on ARM processors could be a critical step in advancing the adoption of Windows on ARM, which has faced significant challenges since its launch. Previous versions of Windows for ARM, such as Windows RT, have been heavily criticized for software restrictions and limited application support. However, hardware and software support for these operating systems has expanded over the years, with improved emulation support and technological developments that have improved performance and compatibility.

The move to ARM-based hardware points to a worldwide trend of switching to these processors, which are considered more efficient in terms of energy and performance for mobility needs, with companies like Apple already switching to custom ARM processors in all of their product lines. Google’s support for Windows on ARM may accelerate this transition in the PC world as well, especially with the launch of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processors, which are designed to compete with Intel and AMD processors in the mobile market.