Apple and Microsoft on Divergent Paths to ARM

Apple’s adoption of its own ARM-based processors (dubbed “Apple silicon”) for Macs, and gradual discontinuation of Intel processors, began in 2020 and has generated renewed interest in Windows on ARM among consumers and some developers. Apple plans to switch its entire Mac product line to Apple silicon, resulting in the eventual end of support for Intel-based Macs, mirroring the company’s transition from PowerPC to Intel processors in 2006.

Unlike Apple, Microsoft’s plans for ARM are aspirational; almost all Windows devices shipping today use Intel or AMD processors (collectively referred to as “x64”) and will continue to for some time. Instead, Microsoft plans to continue supporting Windows on both x64 and ARM64 hardware that can meet the strict hardware requirements of Windows 11, offering Windows 11 on ARM for customers who are willing to accept application compatibility trade-offs in exchange for potentially improved battery life.

This divergence leaves the future for Windows on ARM uncertain; for example, Microsoft may support Windows on ARM, but application developers do not have the same motivation to adopt ARM as they do on Apple’s platform, where failure to update your software for Apple silicon means a dead-end road. Customers should have some IT staff familiar with the Windows on ARM platform, but it is probably still too early to deploy in any significant numbers.