Microsoft failed to deliver a full-fledged Windows environment using ARM microprocessors. Now, in a recent event, the company promised that first ever Windows 10 cellular PCs will be revealed later this year.
As written in PC World, Microsoft announced at its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) that it's partnered with Qualcomm to enable new, low-cost PCs. The conference was held in Shenzhen, China in 2016.
This time, this will not be smartphone focused Windows 10 or limited Windows RT but it will be the same version of Windows 10 that runs on PCs. It will support desktop apps like Microsoft Office 2016 and Adobe Photoshop. As written in Digital Trends, Windows 10 will first arrive on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor in late 2017.
ARM processors are more power-efficient than Intel's PC processors. Also, ARM support for Microsoft Windows 10 is essential to make various types of devices. SoC (system-on-chip) solutions like Snapdragon processors include LTE data connectivity and voice calls communication.
Additionally, battery life will be improved so that Microsoft can design devices with good usage that can last longer on a single charge. Microsoft and Qualcomm are planning to make extremely thin and light PC notebooks that support LTE connectivity.
Windows RT was failed because of ARM chips do not support traditional Windows apps. Traditional apps can only run on x86 chips so Qualcomm is working with Microsoft to emulate x86 instructions.
Windows mobile fans are hoping to get the phone that could run traditional Windows apps. Currently, HP Elite x3 runs Windows 32 apps but in a cloud-based environment.
New PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processor will not be only consumer based but will be able to join corporate domains as well. Qualcomm said that its new 10nm chips will improve performance by 27 percent and battery life by 40 percent, compared to its 14nm chips.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 will be powerful to handle Windows 10 OS and the emulation engine that will allow it to run Windows desktop applications. Qualcomm's senior vice president Keith Kressin said that they will introduce a number of Windows 10 devices with the Snapdragon 835 Soc later in 2017. He said it will be a start and people will see more in 2018 and 2019.
