What you need to know

• Microsoft discussed the status of x64 emulation for Windows on ARM today.
• The company confirmed that a PC running Windows 11 on ARM is required to utilize x64 emulation.
• Microsoft notes that x64 emulation for Windows is only generally available in Windows 11.

People with the Surface Pro X, Galaxy Book Go, and other Windows on ARM devices will have to upgrade to Windows 11 to utilize x64 emulation. Microsoft discussed the emulation of x64 apps today alongside the announcement of the Windows 10 November 2021 Update and Windows 10 shifting to only one major update per year.

Microsoft explained that x64 emulation for Windows is only generally available in Windows 11. It added that people that want to experience x64 emulation will need to upgrade to Windows 11 on ARM. Microsoft's phrasing suggests that x64 emulation will not roll out to Windows 10 on ARM PCs at any point in the future.

Microsoft tested x64 emulation on Windows 10 on ARM for around one year, but the feature will not ship to the older OS.

Windows 10 on ARM will receive support and security updates until October 14, 2025. After that date, it will fall out of support.

While many big-name apps, including Microsoft Teams, can natively run on Windows on ARM hardware, there are some programs that require emulation. Many video and photo editors are x64 apps. Several games are also x64, though even with emulation, devices like the Surface Pro X won't compete with the best gaming laptops.

Our executive editor goes into depth regarding app compatibility in his Surface Pro X review.

The ability to run x64 apps may be more important for devices that run Qualcomm's upcoming ARM processors built by the Nuvia team. These processors could rival Apple's M-Series chips, which would be a big win for Windows 11 on ARM PCs.

What you need to know

• The Snapdragon Developer Kit from Qualcomm is now available.
• The device allows developers to test out the performance of apps on Windows 10 on ARM.
• The ECS LIVA Mini Box QC710 Desktop is available through the Microsoft Store for $219.

A new tool is available to help developers test out apps on Windows 10 on ARM. The ECS LIVA Mini Box QC710 is a developer kit that runs on a Snapdragon 7c processor. With a price tag of just $219, it's an affordable way for developers to ensure that their apps are compatible with Windows 10 on ARM.

Since the developer kit only runs on a Snapdragon 7c processor, it's only intended for app compatibility testing. Any actual development of apps will likely have to be done on more powerful hardware.

The ECS LIVA Mini Box QC710 features a Snapdragon 7c, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. For connectivity, it has a microSD card slot, and USB 2.0, HDMI, USB 3.2 Gen 1, and USB Type-C ports. It also supports Bluetooth.

While the device ships with Windows 10 Home, its product listing mentions Windows 11. It appears to meet the minimum requirements of the new operating system, so developers should be able to upgrade it to Windows 11.

At just $219, the ECS LIVA Mini Box QC710 is much more affordable than Windows 10 on ARM devices like the Surface Pro X. Of course, it's not intended to compete with more powerful consumer PCs. If a developer just wants to test compatibility, a kit like the ECS LIVA Mini Box QC710 is the cheapest way to do so.

Samsung's Galaxy Book Go only launched in June 2021, but you can already pick it up for a discount. The laptop is a Windows 10 on ARM PC which runs on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor. It gets up to 18 hours of battery life, making it a great option for students.

The Galaxy Book Go is designed to balance affordability and productivity. Like many of the best Chromebooks, the Galaxy Book Go skips some flagship features to focus on performance at a lower cost. It's one of the best cheap laptops and is discounted in time for the new school year. Note that the version that's on sale only supports Wi-Fi, not LTE.

While Samsung trimmed the specs of the Galaxy Book Go to keep the laptop's price down, it should handle everyday tasks just fine. It also supports Dolby Atmos and has a wide range of ports, including two USB-C ports and a microSD slot.

The Galaxy Book Go benefits from the growing partnership between Samsung and Microsoft. It works with Link to Windows, Second Screen (which lets you use a Samsung tablet as a second display), Galaxy Book Smart Switch, Quick Share, SmartThings Find, and SmartThings Dashboard. It also supports Easy Bluetooth Connection with the Galaxy Buds.

Before picking up the Galaxy Book Go, it's important to know that it's a Windows 10 on ARM PC. Because of this, some programs run in emulation, and some apps that you're familiar with may not be able to run on the device at all. The Galaxy Book Go will work well with Office, browsing the web, and many apps, but you should check if the specific apps you need are available on the device.

What you need to know

• The alpha version of paint.net now natively supports ARM64.
• Its recent update also improves the speed of the Magic Wand and Paint Bucket tools.
• The app is also moving to a web installer, which helps ensure PCs install the correct version.

The popular creative app paint.net now natively supports ARM64. Previously, the app would run in emulation on devices like the Surface Pro X and HP Elite Folio. The move to ARM64 is only available for alpha testers at the moment but should bring improved performance on Windows 10 on ARM PCs.

Its recent update brings paint.net alpha to build 7894. It includes a long list of features and improvements, including faster Magic Wand and Paint Bucket tools. The app's author, Rick Brewster, says that he's "spent some time optimizing the snot out of the Magic Wand and Paint Bucket tools."

This update also moves to self-contained deployment, which means people don't have to install .NET anymore. All needed components are now bundled with the app. This shouldn't result in any changes in functionality, but it simplifies some things for app installation.

Brewster is also testing a web installer. This has a few benefits, the most notable of which is that it ensures people with Windows 10 on ARM PCs get the ARM64 version of the app.

Here are all of the changes compared to the previous alpha build of paint.net:

• Improved performance of the Magic Wand tool by a substantial amount overall
• Improved performance of the Paint Bucket tool by a substantial amount overall
• Improved performance of the Paint Bucket when changing the color or certain other toolbar settings by not recalculating the stencil buffer for the filled area. Changes should now be reflected immediately.
• Improved: Plugins are now loaded into isolated AssemblyLoadContexts, which improves stability and resiliency to various problems with versioning, loading dependencies, or incorrect installation.
• Fixed a rendering bug in the Gradient Tool, first reported here: https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/118486-paintnet-43-alpha-build-7881/?do=findComment&comment=585139 (regression from 4.2.16)
• Fixed a crash when trying to draw a fixed-size rectangle selection that was larger than the image
• Fixed a crash with the Shapes dropdown, which was due to a bug in WinForms
• Fixed a bug with the Tolerance slider where both 58% and 59% would be displayed as 58%, due to a rounding issue. The correct value was actually being used, it just wasn't being displayed correctly.
• Added a /disablePlugins command-line argument to aid in troubleshooting various issues with app startup and incorrect plugin installation
• Changed: The requirement to have SSSE3 on x86/x64 has been reverted to just SSE2. However, CPUs without SSSE3 are no longer being optimized for and will run slower as a result.
• Updated the bundled AvidFileType plugin to v1.1.15.0, courtesy of @null54, which includes support for multi-layer AVIF files. See the project's GitHub Releases page for more information.

If you're updating from version 4.2.16, you'll see the following changes:

• New: The app has been migrated to .NET 5, and performance has been greatly improved as a result.
• New: ARM64 is now natively supported
• Installation is much faster now due to no longer needing the "Optimizing performance for your system" stage (NGEN has been replaced with ReadyToRun via crossgen).
• Portable ZIPs are now officially available, utilizing self-contained deployment, and do not require the installation of .NET 5. You must manually update to newer versions of the app, however.
• Improved performance of most effects and other compute-intensive tasks by about 20% on average, due to .NET 5's improved code generation
• Improved: Many areas of the app have been optimized to use SIMD (SSE2/3/4.1, AVX2) on x86/x64
• Drawing on an image with a large number of layers is faster
• Drawing with the Gradient Tool's alpha mode is faster
• Drawing with the Recolor tool is faster
• Drawing with the Erase or Clone Stamp tool is faster when using a color whose alpha value is less than 255
• Drawing with the Overwrite blend mode is faster
• Drawing with the Shapes tool is faster, due to improved compositing performance
• Drawing with a brush tool without antialiasing is faster
• Tile compression has lower overhead due to being optimized for SSE2 and AVX2
• Working with complex selections is faster
• Many other optimizations all throughout the application and rendering engine
• Improved: Selection antialiasing quality is now better by way of using a 4×4 super sampling filter instead of 3×3. The code has also been optimized to use SSSE3 on x86/x64.
• Improved: Performance should be significantly better on systems without HyperThreading (by reserving 1 core for the UI), and also a bit better on systems with it (by utilizing more of the logical cores)
• Improved: Effect and File Type plugins can now be organized into folders — the plugin loader will recursively search for DLLs up to 1 folder deep
• Fixed a bug in Polar Inversion that was causing hangs
• Improved performance of Polar Inversion by 3x, due to the aforementioned bug fix (and a little bit is due to .NET 5)
• Fixed: There were some issues with zooming in/out using the keyboard, where the anchoring (centering) point was not calculated correctly, causing the canvas to drift in the wrong direction.
• Fixed a bug when saving with "Auto Detect" bit-depth that was causing fidelity loss on some images that already had 256 colors or less. This was reported here: https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/118401-images-already-with-256-or-fewer-colors-being-dithered-when-saved-with-palette/
• Changed: A processor that supports SSSE3 (yes 3 S's) is now required for x86/x64 systems (previously only SSE2 was required). All CPUs released since about 2006 (e.g. Core 2 Duo) support this.
• Known Issue: Due to crashing, GPU accelerated effects (Gaussian Blur, Motion Blur, Radial Blur) on ARM64 will actually use the CPU for rendering.

A blog post from Brewster explains how to get the latest alpha build. At this time, you cannot get alpha or beta releases of the app through the Microsoft Store.

A few years ago, HP released what I thought was one of the most innovative and creative convertible laptops yet — the HP Spectre Folio. But there were two big gripes, including the abhorrent trackpad and the somewhat cramped 16:9 display.

HP is back with the Elite Folio — a shift in the product line from prosumer to business — and it proves HP is listening to feedback. While I consider the Surface Pro X one of the best laptops with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the Elite Folio, in many ways, outdoes it thanks to its pull-it-forward display.

Here's why I think HP has really nailed this concept and why this always-connected 4G/5G laptop is one of the most exciting this year.

HP Elite Folio: Price, availability, and specs

Pricing for the Elite Folio begins at $1,699 and goes up to $2,327 depending on configuration options.

The lowest base model features a 13.5-inch 1920 x 1280 BrightView display, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, that peaks around 400 nits and ships with Windows 10 Home. Storage is 128GB with 8GB of RAM and no 4G LTE. However, HP steers buyers towards the 4G model by default. This laptop is one of the first Snapdragon Qualcomm PCs that makes 4G optional for those who want Wi-Fi only.

The most expensive version delivers Windows 10 Pro, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, HP's Sure View Reflect screen privacy feature, and 5G for $2,327.

The model tested for this review shipped with 512GB storage, 16GB of RAM, 4G LTE, and the standard full HD display coming in at $2,063.

Buyers can order direct through HP with either ready-to-ship configurations or customize, so users add on things like 5G or more storage.

As of now, the Elite Folio is not sold in stores or on Amazon.

For specs, you are not getting much due to this being an ultralight computer with just two Type-C 3.2 ports (neither Thunderbolt due to it being a Qualcomm PC). HP rightly puts one of each port on opposing sides of the Elite Folio, which is much more adaptive for modern offices. One can be used for charging with the included 65-watt charger and the other for a hub or peripherals, including external displays.

HP almost hides the SIM drawer for 4G and 5G in the pen slot. It's tricky to find and open, but most people will only drop a SIM in one time anyway, making the criticism arguable. The Elite Folio also supports eSIM forgoing the whole physical SIM card for an electronic one for those who want it.

The Elite Folio supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, which is adequate, although Bluetooth 5.1 or 5.2 would be more desirable.

2-in-1 evolved

HP Elite Folio: Design and features

The 2021 Elite Folio fixes everything wrong with the 2018 Spectre Folio. HP now uses faux leather, which is much more sustainable for the environment. The processor switched from Intel to Qualcomm. The trackpad is much larger and now uses Microsoft Precision drivers. And the display is now a much taller 3:2 aspect matching what is found on Microsoft's Surface products.

Like Surface Pro X, HP puts the pen into the keyboard deck now for storage and charging (the pen is held in place by magnets). It's a clever design that can happen thanks to that taller 3:2 display which lengthened the keyboard deck to allow space for the feature. The pen cannot be lost now and is always charged — it's brilliant.

But the real magic with the Elite Folio is the hinge design. Opening the lid and you are greeted with what looks like a Surface Laptop — standard keyboard, tall display, multiple viewing angles thanks to the display hinge. But you can pull the screen forward into a "media mode" that brings the screen closer to you for more enjoyable viewing of a movie, browsing a website, drawing, or giving a presentation. And because of the way it works, this mode also keeps the trackpad accessible, making navigation and clicking easier and serving as an alternative to relying on the touch screen.

But it doesn't end there. Pull the screen even more forward, then lay it down, and you now have a Windows PC tablet. But unlike 360-degree convertible PCs, this one doesn't lay flat and, instead, it is slightly angled upwards like a real drafting table. This configuration makes it ideal for inking as you can still get good viewing angles instead of looking straight down. It's also much more comfortable.

The whole process uses some clever hinge designs and magnets, letting the display snap into place for each mode. It's very satisfying to use and feels fluid.

Again, differing from a 360-degree convertible PC, you can transform the Elite Folio without lifting it off your lap and don't require exposing the keyboard to a hard surface. In having used both styles of convertibles, this pull-it-forward design is much enjoyable and valuable than something like what the HP Spectre x360 14 offers.

My only gripe with all of this is HP uses powerful magnets to keep the Elite Folio closed. It requires you to pry the device open with two hands, thereby removing some of the elegance of the overall design. It's all a bit ridiculous.

Externally, the Elite Folio relies on a faux black leather shell instead of the genuine football-like leather of the Spectre Folio. The reason for this material use is it helps to hide some of the hinges while also being flexible enough to protect the device. It's held up incredibly well over the last few months and gives the aura of this device being an actual folio. It's classy and different.

Carrying the 2.85-pound (1.29kg) Elite Folio feels very professional thanks to its slim design and exterior materials. It looks great in a coffee shop, airplane, or maybe that boardroom meeting for your Fortune 500 company.

The keyboard is typical HP, that is, excellent. HP makes some of my favorite keyboards, and this is not the exception. Plenty of travel, backlit, and large square keys let me type as fast and accurately as I can. The keys are a bit soft compared to typical EliteBooks, but still very good.

The trackpad is also excellent — large, smooth, nice click, and it uses Microsoft Precision drivers. It's a massive jump over the Spectre Folio.

Audio is driven by two top-firing Bang & Olufsen speakers that flank the keyboard and two more on the sides, which is kind of incredible. Many laptops settle for just two speakers, but HP is jamming four in a very thin and light device. Of course, they need the speakers like this, so when the display is lying flat, you get good audio no matter the posture — and it works. Even when lying flat, there is a gap for the top-firing speakers, so the audio is never muffled.

Unfortunately, unlike other HP laptops, this one lacks any advanced controls for those speakers, including a full EQ or audio presets.

The 720P front-facing camera is decent enough and on the better side for modern laptops but falls short of Surface Pro X or HP's own Elite Dragonfly Max with its 5MP full HD one. The camera has an infrared (IR) sensor for logging into Windows with just your face. HP also uses its older "slider" privacy shutter for the webcam, a departure from its more modern electronic solutions found in its Spectre series with a dedicated key. While the manual privacy shutter is OK, there are times when you'll accidentally engage it from opening the Elite Folio, which will prevent Windows Hello from working too.

Never lose the pen

HP Elite Folio: Display and inking

The 13.5-inch full HD (1920x1280) display delivers a pixel-per-inch (PPI) count of 171, which is acceptable for this class of device, but it does fall well short of Surface Pro X's higher resolution 2800x1920 with a 267 PPI.

The bezels are relatively thin and much better looking than the Spectre Folio. Still, while the side bezels are thin, the top and bottom are both of differing proportions, which the balance off (the top is much thicker than the bottom, which is slightly wider than the side bezels).

HP includes an auto-dimming sensor to adjust brightness on ambient lighting conditions. The display's colors are vibrant and have a nice pop to them. The color gamut accuracy is also solid with 100% sRGB, 74% AdobeRGB, and 78% DCI-P3 — right in the range of most premium Ultrabooks.

Brightness bottoms out at 21 nits — dim but still on the brighter side for night work — and peaks at exactly 400.6 nits, just as HP promises. Those results make the Elite Folio ideal for most environments, but it will struggle in outdoor light, which is made worse by the highly glossy display. HP should add an anti-reflective layer to this Elite Folio like it does on its other premium laptops, thereby preserving color accuracy and reducing reflectivity.

The inking is excellent, thanks to the siloed slim pen. It's very reminiscent of Microsoft's Surface Slim Pen minus the clickable eraser. A small white LED lets you know it is charging, and there are two buttons for extra functions. Magnets hold the pen in place, and it even flips the pen for you when you put it back in the divot.

Pen latency and accuracy were excellent, making this perfect for note-taking, annotations, signing PDFs, or sketching.

Gets the job done

HP Elite Folio: Performance and battery

The Elite Folio is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 processor — the same found in Surface Pro X. Indeed, performance is precisely in line with Surface Pro X with nearly the same benchmarks across the board for CPU and GPU performance.

Whereas the Elite Folio differs is in two areas. For one, with that lower-resolution display, there are fewer pixels to push, which makes Elite Folio feel quite zippy. That's also helped by the solid SSD, which hits just over 3,100MB/s for sequential read and a lower, less critical, 1,250MB/s for writing. That's significantly faster than Surface Pro X with 2,000MB/s read and just 810MB/s for write.

Performance varies on Snapdragon ARM PCs from typical x86 Intel or AMD-based ones, with apps compiled for ARM64 running better than x86 apps. As noted in previous Qualcomm PC reviews, most apps run without a hitch, including the ones ideal for this class of device, such as:

• Microsoft Office (Word, OneNote, Excel)
• Microsoft Edge
• Hulu
• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Spotify
• VUDU
• Disney+
• Twitter
• Microsoft Teams
• Slack (PWA)
• Mail (Outlook.com)
• Flow Mail (Gmail)
• Polarr Photo Editor Pro
• Microsoft News
• GroupMe
• OneDrive
• Skype
• Microsoft To Do
• myTube! (YouTube)
• MobileDiscord PTB (Discord)
• Unigram (Telegram)
• ExpressVPN using manual configuration
• Zoom (coming soon)

Moreover, with Windows 11 around the corner, the Elite Folio will only get better. Windows 11 brings native x64 app emulation support to Windows on ARM letting users run just about any app. So far, in our usage of Windows 11 with Surface Pro X, performance is even better thanks to the new ARM64EC (Emulation Compatible) tech being used and Microsoft Office is now compiled for ARM64 too.

4G LTE performance is also outstanding, with no reception drops or odd behavior. Like most always-connected Windows PCs these days, you can leave 4G on all the time, even on Wi-Fi, as it has no impact on battery life. It uses similar power to that of Wi-Fi and is not something that you need to micromanage.

Battery life was a bit tougher to measure as there were some issues with PCMark 10's battery rundown test. However, our test results of just over 11 hours fit our real-world usage of around nine hours (Windows battery usage report). That's on par with current 11th Gen Intel laptops, but those laptops also aren't as thin as Elite Folio, nor do they have this specific form factor. That, so far, has been the point of Windows on ARM PCs — to create devices that you cannot do with Intel or AMD chipsets. The exception being the Lenovo Flex 5G, which is more of a traditional 360-laptop, could easily hit 18 hours or more.

Since the Elite Folio has no vents or fans, there is nothing to report on for noise or heat. The device never gets warm, and it makes no fan noise.

Few competitors

HP Elite Folio: Competition

The Elite Folio is a unique PC with few direct competitors due to its unusual form factor and its advantages.

The most obvious alternative to the Elite Folio would be the current Microsoft Surface Pro X with 4G LTE. It is a similar 2-in-1 device with pen support and the same processor. The Pro X excels in a higher-resolution display, better front-facing camera, and a removable keyboard. The battery life between the two is similar. However, the Elite Folio has the option for Wi-Fi-only, or 5G, neither of which Pro X offers. Pricing is also identical once you factor the keyboard/pen combo into the Pro X's bottom line.

Lenovo's Flex 5G is a 360-hinge ARM PC that gets double the battery life. It is also the only laptop that supports Verizon's high-speed 5G mmWave (and Sub-6), although how much you benefit from that depends highly on your location. It's running the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 1 instead of Gen 2, but our benchmarks show little difference between the two making the point moot.

Lenovo also has the outstanding ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga with optional 5G. It is just as thin as the Elite Folio and runs an Intel x86 processor without limits (but also generates much more heat and has a fan). It flips into a tablet, although you'll have to find a place to stow the pen during travel. It has an overall very similar look and feel to the Elite Folio but is a more traditional 360-degree hinge design, which some may prefer. It's also much cheaper, starting at $1,200 (though configured to match the Elite Folio in this review, the Titanium Yoga is $2,156 vs. $2,063 for the Elite Folio).

If you like the form factor but want a beefy Intel 11th Gen H-series processor with NVIDIA RTX graphics, the Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel series is your answer. It's a much larger laptop weighing around 5.5 pounds (2.5kg) with a 15.6-inch display and starts around $2,500, but it presents the same flexible 2-in-1 design as the Elite Folio. However, it lacks 4G or 5G options.

HP also offers its Elite Dragonfly Gen 2 or MAX variants. Both are slightly more expensive but offer Intel processors, 4G/5G options, are also very light.

For more ideas, see our best Windows 10 LTE laptops for our top recommendations.

Nothing like it

Should you buy the HP Elite Folio?

Who it's for

• You need 4G or 5G on a Windows PC
• Professionals who value high-quality, light, adaptive, mobile computing
• You want a device with excellent pen support
• People who need very good battery life

Who it isn't for

• The best performance in an Ultrabook
• Gamers
• People who don't like using dongles for ports
• Those who are just fine with Wi-Fi

The HP Elite Folio is a great evolution. It seems like HP merged what it learned from its very well-designed Envy x2 and Specter Folio into this new Elite Folio. It was worth the wait.

What sets the Elite Folio apart from everything else is the very distinctive form factor. It's a design we may see more of as even Microsoft has a patent for something similar. It works, too, and is a much better iteration of the ubiquitous 360-degree hinge PCs we have now. The angle for inking is better, the ability to transform without lifting the laptop, the pen built into the keyboard deck — it solves all the issues that 360 devices have without any tradeoffs.

But, like all Qualcomm-based ARM PCs, the issue comes down to app compatibility. Thankfully, that issue is fading, especially as we race towards Windows 11 this October (the Elite Folio qualifies for the free upgrade). With 64-bit app-emulation and more apps offering ARM64 compatibility, things will only get better.

Who should buy the Elite Folio? It's aimed at the executive who needs email, Microsoft Office, web browsing, pen support, communication abilities (Teams, Slack, Zoom, Skype), and always needs to be connected to the internet. Like many other ARM PCs, the Elite Folio is for light computing with long battery life and 4G or 5G abilities.

There are only a few drawbacks to the Elite Folio. One of those is the price — it's absurdly high. Of course, being aimed at fat-cat executives and high-end business types is likely less of an issue. Still, it's not a bargain. The other is the glossy display and opening the Elite Folio with two hands, small nitpicks.

Another issue is Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM processors need to get better and faster. The gap between it and Intel is narrowing, disfavoring Qualcomm. While I enjoy using Windows on ARM PCs, the value prop is dwindling, especially when the price is this high.

The crucial takeaway, however, is the Elite Folio's design — it's exceptional. HP would be well served to continue to evolve this form factor, especially with its excellent keyboards and quality hardware. Such a device stands to benefit whatever Qualcomm releases next to add even more performance.

What you need to know

• The 64-bit version of Office for Windows on ARM is now rolling out to Insiders.
• The app uses new technology from Microsoft called ARM64EC, which lets it use x64 plugins and code compiled for Windows on ARM together.
• To test Office for Windows on ARM, you need to be an Office Insider and running a preview build of Windows 11.

Windows Insiders can already test out the first preview build of Windows 11. Now, they can get their hands on another preview piece of software from Microsoft, the 64-bit Office for Windows on ARM. The app has been recompiled for ARM architecture, which brings better performance and improved efficiency while using less memory. Microsoft announced the ARM-optimized version of Office last week, but it is now rolling out for testing.

Microsoft explains that the new version of Office should have overall better peformance, handle large documents better on devices like the Surface Pro X, and now work with 64-bit add-ins when compared to the fully-emulated version of Office.

The previous version of Office ran mostly native at 32-bit, with parts of the app presenting itself as x86 for add-ins to work correctly. Today's shift brings Office up to a more modern 64-bit architecture while also being more native for ARM.

Microsoft enabled Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Excel as ARM64 apps. Other Office apps will still run in x64 emulation mode.

The Office apps utilize a new technology from Microsoft called ARM64EC, which stands for ARM64 Emulation Compatible. This technology allows developers to mix and match code that's built natively for ARM64 alongside code that runs in emulation. As a result, apps with dependencies that don't natively support ARM64 can run partly as native apps and partly in emulation.

Office has x64 code and legacy add-ins that aren't built for Windows 11 on ARM. With ARM64EC, Microsoft can rebuild large portions of the app to run natively on ARM devices, while the older components run in emulation.

To test out the new Office apps, you need to run a device with an ARM processor, such as the Surface Pro X or Galaxy Book S. You also need your PC to be on a Windows 11 Insider preview build.

If you have the right hardware running Windows 11, you can then follow these steps:

1. Uninstall any 32-bit versions of Office you have on your PC.
2. Install the latest version of Office from office.com (your PC will automatically install the ARM-optimized version of the Office apps).
3. Join the Office Insider program.
4. Update your Office apps to the current Beta channel build.

Microsoft has a guide on how to join the Office Insider program if you need more help.

What you need to know

• Samsung just announced the Galaxy Book Go and Galaxy Book Go 5G.
• Both are Windows on ARM devices featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G.
• The Galaxy Book Go features a 14-inch full HD display, plenty of ports, and is only 3lbs.
• The Galaxy Book Go will be available in June starting at $349 (Wi-Fi-only).
• Details, pricing, and final specs of the Galaxy Book Go 5G will be made available later this summer.

The promise of more affordable Windows on ARM PCs took a giant leap today as Samsung has just announced its Galaxy Book Go featuring the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. The 14-inch budget-friendly laptop will be available this month with optional LTE, but it is the $349 starting price has us excited.

In addition to the Galaxy Book Go announcement, a more powerful version of the laptop with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 with 5G is coming later this summer.

The regular Galaxy Book Go with the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 weighs around 3lbs (1.38kg) and comes in an all-silver finish. To hit that starting price of $349, some premium features were reduced. For instance, the display is only thin-film-transistor (TFT) instead of a higher-end in-plane switching (IPS) one with better viewing angles. (Although, it is a similar display Samsung used in its well-received Galaxy Book S, also running ARM).

Likewise, storage is limited (64GB or 128GB) and is eUFS instead of faster PCIe and RAM is either 4 or 8GB (at least it's zippy LPDDR4x). That entry price is also for the Wi-Fi-only model, making sense as not everyone will need 4G LTE. Wi-Fi is also the older type of 802.11 ac (Wi-Fi 5), though it is totally fine for most at this price.

But there are some surprising features like Dolby Atmos speakers, plenty of excellent ports including two Type-C and microSD, Type-A, a decent size battery, and all of Samsung's hardware expertise and software enhancements.

Performance of the 7c Gen 2 is currently unknown, though as we noted during its announcement last month:

We do not know yet the price of the Galaxy Book Go 5G with the higher-end Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, nor its complete spec list (yet), but it is going to be priced higher with a faster processor, Wi-Fi 6, and probably some other perks. It will have the same all-silver finish, likely the same port layout, and overall a similar design, but presumably some beefier components.

Both versions of the laptop feature access to Samsung's full ecosystem of software and hardware, something that was made evident recently in our recent Galaxy Book Pro x360 review. That includes Link to Windows, Second Screen (use a Samsung tablet as a wireless display), Galaxy Book Smart Switch, Quick Share, SmartThings Dashboard, SmartThings Find, and Easy Bluetooth Connection that effortlessly pairs your Galaxy Buds for deeper integration.

The Qualcomm and Samsung news follows a string of recent announcements including a new Snapdragon Developer Kit for Windows, and an ARM-optimized Zoom app for video calls, both set to arrive this summer. There is also now ARM-support for Adobe Photoshop and World of Warcraft, with Windows 10 x64 emulation due later this year.

Look for the Samsung Galaxy Book Go with and without LTE to hit store shelves sometime in June with that starting price of $349. Details, pricing, and full specs for the Galaxy Book Go 5G will be announced later this summer.

Updated May 25, 2021: This piece has been updated to clarify that all Cortex-A CPU mobile cores will be 64-bit from 2023.

What you need to know

• Arm announced new CPUs based on its Armv9 architecture.
• The company also announced several Mali GPUs.
• Arm also specified that all Cortex-A CPU mobile cores will be 64-bit by 2023.

Arm announced the first Armv9 Cortex CPUs, which could bring a big boost to Windows 10 on ARM PCs and other devices. The chips are based on the new Armv9 architecture that was announced back in March and deliver up to 30% better performance than their predecessors. Arm also reiterated that all Cortex-A CPU mobile cores will be 64-bit by 2023.

Arm's Total Computer Strategy has three pillars; accelerating compute performance, expanding security, and improved developer access. Arm calls the new Armv9 Cortex CPUs the "foundation of [its] wider Total Computer Strategy."

The flagship processor from the new lineup is the Cortex-X2. It promises 30% better performance over the first-generation Cortex X-1 and can be used in either smartphones or laptops. Arm claims that the Cortex X-2 delivers 40% better performance than "mainstream laptop silicon," specifically referring to the Intel Core i5-1135G7.

Laptop manufacturers can combine up to eight Cortex X-2 cores to improve performance. For comparison, most phones that use the Cortex X-1 have a cluster of three high-performance cores. You may not recognize the name of the Cortex-X1, but you'll have heard of devices that utilize it. The flagship Snapdragon 888 is built with the Cortex X-1. Arm explains that the Cortex X-2 takes things a step further than its predecessor.

The Cortex X-2 will be used in both smartphones and laptops. Arm discusses the growing demand for Windows and Chrome laptops powered by its chips:

Arm also announced the Cortex-A710 CPU, which focuses on efficiency. It is the first "big" CPU (referring to "big.LITTLE chips) that's based on the Armv9. It delivers 30% better energy efficiency. Arm also states that it delivers double the machine learning performance when compared to the previous generation.

Lastly, the new Cortex-A510 is a "little" CPU. Its predecessor, the Cortex-A55, was made four years ago, so it's been some time since a refresh to Arm's little processors. The Cortex-A55 delivers 35% better performance and 20% more energy efficiency than its predecessor. It also has three times better performance when it comes to machine learning. Arm claims that the Cortex-A55 has similar performance to Arm's big cores from a few years ago.

Moving over to GPUs, Arm announced the Mali-G710, a premium GPU that brings a 20% performance improvement for general compute tasks as well as 20% better power efficiency. It's also 35% better for machine learning. The GPU can be configured with between seven and 16 shader cores, each of which doubles the performance of what the Mali-G78 offered.

Arm also announced the Mali-G610, which is a "sub-premium" GPU. Its feature set is the same as the Mali-G710, but it only has between one and six shader cores.

The Mali-G510 follows the Mali-G57 and delivers a 100% improvement for performance and machine learning. It also improves energy efficiency by 22%. Below the Mali-G510 is the Mali-G310.

Not coming this year

As to when chips based on Armv9 Cortex CPUs will be available, don't expect them anytime soon. Companies like Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung still need to implement software, drivers and further design and manufacture the chips, pushing these chips out to 2023.

But, not all is lost. Laptop processors based on the 5nm Cortex-A78C designs are expected later this year, possibly being used in Qualcomm's anticipated Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and Microsoft's SQ3 processors. The current generation of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 is based on the 2018 7nm Cortex-A76. While not as potent as Apple's 5nm M1 silicon, laptop processors based on Cortex-A78C should provide a much more robust boost in performance than current Gen 2 designs and up to 3x the performance of Snapdragon 8cx Gen 1 rivaling Intel's 10th Gen Core i7-10875H.

What you need to know

• WatchGuard Technologies released endpoint security for Windows 10 on ARM devices through Panda Adaptive Defense 360.
• The protection utilizes the always-on, always-connected nature of Windows 10 on ARM PCs to offer continual protection.
• Panda Adaptive Defense 360 utilizes artificial intelligence to certify programs as safe.

Windows 10 on ARM PCs have a new form of security available through WatchGuard Technologies. The company announced earlier this week that its Panda Adaptive Defense 360 offering can now be used to protect Windows 10 on ARM PCs with 4G LTE and 5G connectivity. The service brings automated threat prevention, detection, containment, and response to Windows 10 on ARM PCs, such as the Surface Pro X.

Because Windows 10 on ARM PCs are always-on and always-connected, they can provide real-time endpoint security. WatchGuard highlights three key benefits of using Panda Adaptive Defense 360 on Windows 10 on ARM PCs; Zero-Trust Application Service, Threat Hunting Service, and Always-Connected Device Security.

Zero-Trust Application Service uses machine learning to classify running processes and monitor endpoint activity. It then proactively blocks malicious payloads. It sends out real-time classifications to make sure that running apps are safe. Because Windows 10 on ARM PCs can be continually connected to the web, people can get telemetry in real-time.

Threat Hunting Service uses tools from WatchGuard to look for new hacking and evasion techniques. Like other forms of protection from WatchGuard, this benefits from the always-on, always-connected nature of Windows 10 on ARM PCs.

Always-Connected Device Security refers to devices being able to switch between 5G, 4G LTE, and Wi-Fi to stay connected. In addition to making it easy to stay off of public Wi-Fi, Qualcomm's AI Engine helps deliver real-time visibility and accelerated threat detection when connected to the web.

"Our Panda Adaptive Defense 360 service brings automated threat prevention, detection, containment and response to devices utilizing Snapdragon compute platforms, ensuring today's workforces can enjoy the premium performance, connectivity and security on industry-leading Windows-based Snapdragon compute-enabled 5G PCs," explains WatchGuard.

WatchGuard recommends that people interested in Panda Adaptive Defense 360 for Windows 10 on ARM PCs should reach out through WatchGuard distributors.

What you need to know

• Windows 10 on ARM devices can natively run Adobe Photoshop as of this month.
• Photoshop on Windows 10 on ARM supports almost all of the same features as other versions of the app
• Native Windows 10 on ARM support brings Photoshop to devices such as the Surface Pro X.

Adobe Photoshop can natively run on Windows 10 on ARM PCs, such as the Surface Pro X starting this month. Native support brings one of the best Windows 10 photo editing apps to a growing collection of devices built for working on the go. A help page from Adobe specifies that native support rolls out for Photoshop this month and outlines all of the details.

Photoshop supports the vast majority of the same features as the version available on non-ARM PCs. There is, however, a small list of features that aren't available on Photoshop running natively on Windows 10 on ARM:

• Import, Export and playback of embedded video layers
• Shake Reduction filter
• Invite to Edit workflows are not supported. To learn alternative ways to send invitations via Web, see Access and edit shared cloud documents.
• Preset Syncing is not on by default
• Windows Dial Support
• Generator and related features
• Opening or placing U3D files
• Starting Photoshop from Lightroom 'Edit In' command
• Oil Paint Filter
• Spell Checking and hyphenation for Hebrew and Arabic languages
• Plugin Marketplace panel

Microsoft started beta testing Windows 10 on ARM support for Photoshop back in November 2020. Now, it's rolling out to everyone this month.

What you need to know

• Samsung will reportedly make an Exynos processor designed for laptops.
• A laptop with the chip inside is said to be on the way for the second half of 2021.
• The laptop will use a GPU based on AMD's RDNA architecture, according to sources.

Samsung already has some solid Windows 10 on ARM laptops, such as the Galaxy Book S. It appears that the company is doubling down on its efforts and will make its own Exynos processor built for laptops. A laptop with the processor inside is on the way for the second half of this year, according to sources that spoke with the Korea Economic Daily (KED).

Reports of a Samsung-made Exynos chip inside a laptop first emerged in February this year. The details leaked back then line up with the information told to the KED.

"The new Exynos will offer improved functions, including extraordinary computing power and battery efficiency, by utilizing a 5-nanometer processing technology. It's good for both laptops and smartphones," a source told the KED. The new Exynos chip will reportedly work with a GPU jointly developed by AMD.

Samsung unveiled the Exynos 2100 processor ahead of Samsung Unpacked 2021. That chip is also built on a 5nm EUV processor. The KED did not mention a name for Samsung's upcoming Exynos chip for laptops, but it could be the successor to the Exynos 2100.

Generally, Exynos problems run hot. Having an Exynos processor inside a laptop could be a perfect pairing, as laptops usually dissipate heat better than compact smartphones. Pairing an Exynos processor with an AMD GPU would also help overcome the gap seen on the GPU side of things for Samsung's processors.

Samsung's previous Windows 10 on ARM devices, the Galaxy Book S and Galaxy Book2 both run on Qualcomm processors.

What you need to know

• Leaked benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 show a massive leap compared to the Microsoft SQ2.
• The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 appears to sit between the Intel Core i7-1065G7 and the Intel Core i7-1165G7 in terms of multi-core performance.
• As with all leaked benchmarks, these figures need to be taken with a grain of salt.

Microsoft's Surface Pro X and other Windows 10 on ARM devices could gain a big performance boost in their next generation. Leaked benchmarks (via Notebookcheck) of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 show dramatically improved single-core and multi-core scores over the SQ2 processor (which is based on the same Kryo 495 CPU as the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2).

These benchmarks need to be placed in context before we dive into the numbers. Benchmarks like this always need to be taken with a grain of salt, as they can be incorrect, faked, or be for early models of devices that don't reflect the final product that will ship. These scores are also for a Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD), which means that the figures came from an engineering sample. The retail version of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 could have better performance, but the main takeaway is that the figures need to be viewed in context.

According to the benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 earned a single-core score of 982 and a multi-core score of 4,918. In his Surface Pro X review, our executive editor saw a single-core score of 798 and a multi-core score of 3,100 on his device running the SQ2 processor.

The scores showed in the benchmarks place the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 between the Intel Core i7-1065G7 and the Intel core i7-1165G7 in multi-core performance. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 gets 5% better multi-core performance than the former and 9% lower than the latter.

As expected, even a leap this large still has Snapdragon's offering fall short of Apple's M1 in the same tests. The MacBook Air with an M1 chip got a single-core score of 1,687 and a multi-core score of 7,433. Apple's M1 chips are so good that when someone used virtualization software to run Windows 10 on an M1 device it still got a higher score than the leaked Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 scores.

Even if it does fall short of Apple's M1 chips, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 could be a large leap for Windows 10 on ARM PCs.

What you need to know

• Leaked benchmarks for the next generation Snapdragon 8cx processor recently appeared on Geekbench.
• The benchmarks show that the next 8cx might compete with Intel's 11th Gen Core i7 chips.
• As with all leaked benchmark figures, these should be taken with a grain of salt.

Geekbench 5 benchmarks for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor have appeared online. If the scores are accurate and genuine, people should be hopeful for the next generation of 8cx chips. Windows 10 on ARM devices like the Surface Pro X could see a big boost in performance if these scores turn out to be accurate.

As is the case with all leaked and unconfirmed benchmarks, these should be taken with a grain of salt. Scores can be from preproduction units or fabricated entirely.

Rumors about the 8cx Gen 3 state that it will feature eight high-performance cores working at different clock speeds. This is in contrast to using four high-performance cores and four low-power cores.

That rumored architecture shift could pay off, as the recently leaked benchmark scores show the 8cx Gen 3 competing with Intel's 11th Gen Core i7 processors. The benchmarks state that the 8cx Gen 3 gets a single-core score of 982 and a multi-core score of 4,918. That would be a marked improvement over the 8cx Gen 2 that gets a single-core score of 795 and a multi-core score of 3,050.

Perhaps more importantly than the jump compared to its predecessor, the 8cx Gen 3 looks respectable when compared to Intel's Core i7 chips. The Intel Core i7-1160G7 (15W TDP) gets a single-core score of 1,400 and a multi-core score of 5,000. Even the Core i7-1185G7 with a higher 28W TDP gets a single-core score of 1,550 and a multi-core score of 5,600.

While Intel's Core i7 chips beat out the leaked benchmarks of the 8cx Gen 3, the gap is smaller than previous generations of competing chips from Intel and Qualcomm. Below is a chart of relevant benchmarks from Tom's Hardware.

Notably, if the benchmarks are accurate, Qualcomm's new chip will still lag far behind Apple's M1 chip. Those chips from Apple are in a class of their own right now in the CPU space. They do, however, run at a higher TDP than any of Qualcomm's offerings to date.

What you need to know

• A second generation of the Snapdragon 7c processor is reportedly on the way.
• The Snapdragon 7c will likely appear in Windows 10 PCs built for education as well as Chromebooks.
• The Snapdragon 7c provides a path for manufacturers to create affordable PCs with 4G LTE connectivity.

A second generation of the Snapdragon 7c processor could be on the way for Windows 10 PCs. Qualcomm first announced its Snapdragon 7c and 8c processors in December 2019. The first generation Snapdragon 7c was for entry-level PCs and Chromebooks, so it's reasonable to assume that a second generation 7c would stay within that family of devices.

According to WinFuture, the new chip has an internal model number of SC7295, giving credence to the idea that it's in the 7 series.

The Snapdragon SC7295 is an octa-core processor that reportedly has a maximum clock speed of 2.7GHz. That max clock speed only appears to be reachable by one of the four big cores within the processor. The other three big cores within the chip reportedly run at a maximum of 2.4GHz. WinFuture also reports that the processor will have four little cores that run at 1.8GHz.

If the reported specs of the second generation of the 7c are accurate, they'll only be a minor improvement from the first generation. Power isn't the main proposition of these processors though. They provide a pathway for manufacturers to create affordable PCs with 4G LTE connectivity and long battery life, both of which are important in the education market.

For example, he JP.IK Turn T101 is a 2-in-1 that starts at only $299. You'd be hard-pressed to find another Windows 10 PC with LTE connectivity at that price range.

We don't know at this time when the new processor will be announced.

What you need to know

• Sophos technology will be used to help protect 5G PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.
• The protection will come through the Sophos Intercept X.
• Sophos expects Intercept X for Snapdragon PCs to arrive in the second half of 2021.

Sophos announced plans to bring its endpoint protection technology to 5G PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon compute platforms. The technology, called Sophos Intercept X endpoint protection, will provide security for always on, always connected PCs.

The Sophos Intercept X uses deep learning AI and anti-ransomware capabilities to stop cybersecurity threats. Sophos expects its Intercept X to arrive on Snapdragon compute platforms in the second half of 2021.

"Snapdragon compute platforms mark a major step forward because they provide all the utility and performance of a PC, but with many of the benefits associated with modern mobile computing devices," says Joey Levy, chief technology officer, Sophos. "Security loves predictability, and Sophos is excited to be a part of securing this next-generation computing platform."

Levy explains why PC's built on Snapdragon compute platforms can help them be more secure:

The Sophos Intercept X will leverage Connected Standby to stay connected to a fleet of Snapdragon-powered PCs. This will help provide context and data for security investigations. It will also use AI acceleration through the Qualcomm AI Engine to optimize AI-dependant workloads to improve device efficiency.

Sophos did not specify which PCs will include the technology, so we'll have to wait to see which Windows 10 on ARM PCs utilize it.

What you need to know

• Windows 10 on ARM is getting an updated emulator with 64-bit app support.
• It's entering public preview today with build 21277.
• ARM PCs can download it now via the Insider Dev Channel.

Microsoft has today announced the first preview build of Windows 10 on ARM to support 64-bit app emulation in addition to the x86 emulation layer already available. The updated app emulation later will allow Windows 10 devices powered by an ARM processor to run 64-bit apps that were compiled for Intel and AMD processors, meaning more apps can now run on Windows 10 on ARM as a result.

Previously, Windows 10 on ARM PCs were limited to ARM32, ARM64, and x86 compiled applications. This meant that any Windows app that was compiled for 64-bit Windows only wasn't able to run on Windows 10 on ARM. With the new emulation layer going into preview today, 64-bit Windows apps will now run on Windows 10 on ARM devices, albeit with lesser performance as the OS is emulating those apps, and not translating them on the fly like macOS does.

Microsoft is still recommending app developers compile their apps natively for Windows 10 on ARM as that will provide users with the best experience when it comes to app performance. But for those app developers who won't or can't, Windows 10 on ARM devices will no longer be left without.

Hari Palupaka, Partner Group Program Manager for Windows said the following:

Microsoft says that apps that have been running under x86 emulation, but have 64-bit compiles available, will benefit from the additional memory that 64-bit apps can take advantage of. This should mean some 64-bit apps that run in emulation perform better than x86 apps, but we'll have to test this ourselves to see if that's reflected in real world tests.

The new emulator is in preview right now, so there will likely be bugs and issues along the way. The first build to include 64-bit emulation is 21277 and is available now for Insiders in the Dev Channel on devices powered by an ARM processor.

What you need to know

• Apple is said to have new Apple silicon in the works for Macs that could launch next year.
• At least one new iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro are said to be in the offering.
• The rumored new chips might outperform Intel's high-end processors.

Apple is working on new, high-performance M1 successors that will be used in at least one new iMac, a MacBook Pro, and a new Mac Pro. That's according to a new report by Bloomberg. The new processors from Apple will reportedly outperform high-end chips from Intel.

Citing people familiar with Apple's plans but unwilling to be named, Bloomberg's report says that entry-level and high-end iMacs are coming as well as upgraded versions of the MacBook Pro. A revised version of Apple's workstation-class Mac Pro is also expected. Bloomberg states:

A 2021 launch is expected for all of these new machines, although some will have to wait until some time towards the end of the calendar year. It should be worth the wait though, with some machines set to ship with as many as 32 cores. Bloomerg outlines some reported plans:

It isn't just the CPU that will be getting a core boost, either. Bloomberg says that Apple engineers are working to improve the GPU performance of Apple silicon by going as far as 32 GPU cores, too. Per Bloomberg:

Seemingly just doubling and quadrupling numbers, the same report goes on to say that 2022 could even see 128-core chips coming out of Apple's chip teams.

Apple's M1 chips, found in the fanless MacBook Air among other entry-level devices, already give some very costly Macs a run for their money. In addition to pressuring Intel-based devices running macOS, Apple's new silicon places pressure on Windows 10 on ARM devices. Apple's offering appears to outperform Qualcomm's ARM-based PCs by a significant margin. Someone even managed to get Windows 10 on ARM onto an Apple M1 chip, which allegedly outperformed the operating system on the Surface Pro X.

If Apple's rumored chips outperform Intel's offerings in the high-end computing space, there's a chance that Apple-made processors would lead the chip race for phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.

What you need to know

• Someone managed to run Photoshop on a Lumia phone.
• The phone has been hacked to run Windows 10 on ARM.
• Adobe recently released a beta version of Photoshop compiled for Windows 10 on ARM.

Yesterday, Adobe released a beta version of Photoshop compiled for Windows 10 on ARM. Adobe is no doubt targetting devices like the Surface Pro X and Galaxy Book S with the rollout of an ARM-friendly version of Photoshop, but someone else decided to go in another direction. Twitter user "imbushuo" managed to get the photo editing app to run on an old Lumia device.

The phone has been modified to run Windows 10 on ARM, so don't go digging through your drawers hoping to replicate the feat with your old phone. There's a passionate community that modifies Lumia devices to run Windows 10 on ARM, and this is the latest fun trick they've pulled off.

Modders and hackers have managed to do all sorts of things with older Lumia hardware, including adding Continuum support, adding a custom phone dialer app, and adding the ability for devices to detect a SIM while running Windows 10.

Projects like this are more for fun, and Photoshop probably doesn't run that well on a modded phone from 2015, but it's nice to see people accomplish feats like this and wonder what might have been.

What you need to know

• Photoshop for Windows 10 on ARM is now available.
• This first release is beta and available for Creative Cloud subscribers.
• More Adobe apps should be coming to ARM in the future.

Adobe has released the first beta build of Photoshop for Windows 10 on ARM, bringing with it native support for ARM64 versions of Windows 10 that runs on devices like the Surface Pro X. Adobe announced support for Windows 10 on ARM over a year ago, and the first of Adobe's Creative Cloud suite to get official ARM support is Photoshop.

The ARM version is available now for Creative Cloud subscribers in the "Beta app" area in the Cloud Desktop app. Once installed, Photoshop will run natively on a device powered by Windows 10 on ARM. In our early testing on a Surface Pro X with Microsoft SQ2, the application is quick to launch, and pen usage is no longer laggy. Exactly how it should be!

Adobe should be bringing more of its applications to Windows 10 on ARM in the future, including Adobe Fresco which it demoed at Microsoft's Surface Pro X unveiling a year ago. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on Photoshop coming to Windows 10 on ARM? Let us know in the comments.

Apple today gave its typical launch event for refreshes to its existing MacBook line of laptops. However, this year was more significant, as Apple finally unveiled its octa-core M1 processor based on the current A14, but with a little extra oomph behind it.

Along with the announcement came the usual hyperbole without any semblance of data or details on what it is being compared to the M1. But there is also little doubt that Apple can deliver some impressive hardware, and the M1 is undoubtedly going to be a fast chip.

Here are a few takeaways from Apple's event and what it means for the broader mobile PC market.

1. New chip, but same old laptop

One of the immediate observations from Apple's new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13 is … they're the same laptops as last year.

That's not a critique, however. Apple feels its chips are powerful enough to beat last year's offerings from Intel without disappointing customers. It remains to be seen if that is true, but the strategy is a straightforward swap out. It plays to Apple's strengths.

But Windows on ARM has taken a radically different approach. With a smaller chipset and no need for fans, Microsoft and its partners have used the technology to push the boundary of modern PCs. Surface Pro X is like an iPad Pro that runs Windows; Lenovo's Flex 5G gets 15 hours of battery life and is the first PC in the world with full 5G; Samsung's Galaxy Book S is ridiculously thin and light, etc. Even HoloLens 2 runs on ARM.

A PC like Surface Pro X cannot be made with Intel chips at this time. That is why Microsoft made a whole new device, which is overall better than Surface Pro 7. Microsoft could have gone the lazier route and just made a Surface Pro 7 with ARM, but instead, they chose to deliver a different (and improved) experience.

Neither strategy is better or worse than the other, but it is a difference that is worth noting.

2. Apple M1: But how much faster?

Apple played fast and loose with numbers and comparisons between its M1 chip and what we presume is the latest from Intel (and you can't forget AMD).

Apple is hilariously vague in its claims, showing charts comparing its CPU and GPU to the "latest PC laptop chip" (whatever that means). The charts have simple labels of "performance" and "power consumption" with no X or Y-axis values.

Of course, the Apple chip is higher on the chart and has a more pleasing trajectory, but anyone who works with numbers knows that graph is entirely meaningless. The difference could be massive, or it could be tiny – we don't know because not only do we not see the comparison chip, but we don't know how they performed on the test (and which test) or what the actual figures are. That's not science, that's marketing.

I do not doubt Apple's M1 is fast and can compete with Intel 10th Gen, but that is just a benefit of the doubt and not based on any data.

3. 4G LTE and 5G are nowhere to be seen

Even though Apple ships its iPads with an option for LTE and its new iPhones are 5G-based, these new ARM-based MacBooks do not offer either. It's an odd move, as you would think, with so much extra battery life, improved performance, and the ability to run iOS apps (built for cellular, ahem), Apple would have added non-Wi-Fi connectivity.

Interestingly, Apple's strategy is the exact opposite of Microsoft and its partners. The whole premise of "Always Connected PCs" that run on ARM is, well, the always-connected bit.

Sure, you can buy Surface Pro X and never use cellular data on it, but the value of that device is diminished. The ability to seamlessly be on the internet all the time is the main reason I use ARM-based Windows PCs.

4. Windows on ARM PCs are vastly different from Apple

Apple knows its audience: self-proclaimed "creatives" who focus on video, multimedia, photos, and some engineering and software development (usually for Apple apps). What's not its strong suit? Business and productivity.

Windows 10 on ARM PCs, generally speaking, support inking, improved battery life, touch displays, and offer 4G or 5G always-on connectivity.

By comparison, Apple's MacBooks with M1 only do one of those things: improved battery life (and likely performance).

That is fine, as many people may not want a touch screen, pen support, or LTE. But for anyone buying a Surface Pro X, those are the reasons.

Of course, with Apple merging everything, perhaps we'll get an iPad Pro that can run macOS apps, completing the strategy. That seems probable.

5. Apple embracing ARM validates Microsoft and Windows on ARM

Apple implementing ARM-based silicon in its premier laptops won't directly impact Windows on ARM apps. There may be some obscure dev tools that overlap, but for the most part, Apple's announcement does not affect Microsoft.

But there is a more general, almost meta benefit: ARM is justified for use in computers.

Ever since Microsoft announced Windows on ARM support, many naysayers thought it was a fad or an experiment for PC makers. It is not like there isn't some truth to it as NVIDIA Tegra was a thing for a few years with Windows 8 tablet PCs until it wasn't.

Apple embracing ARM for PC does create interest in the ARM architecture beyond smartphone usage. It helps generate consumer interest and knowledge about technology. And it is probably not a stretch to think some Windows PC makers may be eyeing some new laptops to compete with the MacBook Air – after all, they have already been doing that for years.

Today's announcement from Apple is a welcome one for anyone who enjoys "silicon diversity." Google recently updated Chrome OS to support ARM, too, and it is no coincidence that Microsoft was the first four years ago.

Apple and Intel are now in a profoundly serious battle with Qualcomm, who will have to go nuclear on making a competitive chip to stay relevant. It also puts pressure on PC makers to price ARM laptops more competitively.

Let's hope that happens soon because it is clear ARM will play a significant role in mobile computing.

What you need to know

• x64 emulation is coming to Windows on ARM PCs in November (Insider program).
• Microsoft Teams natively compiled for ARM64 is also coming soon.
• The news builds on recently announced Snapdragon PCs and support for the App Assure Program.

Microsoft has announced what we have been expecting for some time: x64 app emulation is coming to Windows 10 on ARM PCs. The news came through a blog post from Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay. The plan is to start rolling out the feature in November through the Windows Insider program, with a likely commercial rollout for Spring 2021.

Currently, Windows 10 on ARM laptops can only emulate 32-bit Windows apps in addition to running native apps compiled for ARM64. But many high-end applications and apps for enterprise rely on 64-bit-only editions, which are incompatible with ARM. That now changes and will open the gates for many more apps to run on devices like Surface Pro X, Samsung Galaxy Book S, and Lenovo Flex 5G.

There is no further detail on the limits and performance expectations of x64 emulation, but like 32-bit, it is likely to take a slight performance hit. Newer Windows 10 on ARM PCs with Qualcomm's just-announced Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 should help with that as that chip is faster and more efficient.

Besides the x64 emulation, Microsoft will "soon release a native Microsoft Teams client optimized for Windows 10 on ARM" – an issue we complained about last year. Back in July, Microsoft noted that Microsoft Teams for ARM64 was planned, but no further details were given. Now, at least, it seems we are much closer to that release happening. Microsoft Teams is a crucial app during this work-from-home shift, and devices with Windows 10 on ARM are becoming increasingly important to enterprise and business users. While Microsoft Teams currently runs on ARM PCs, the performance is not nearly as good a natively compiled app.

Microsoft also announced Visual Studio code has also been updated and optimized for Windows 10 on ARM.

The news around Windows on ARM has been building. A week ago, Microsoft announced its App Assure Program was expanding to support Qualcomm Snapdragon PCs. The program helps devs and businesses streamline, optimize, and fix apps brought to the Windows on ARM architecture.

Likewise, new Windows on ARM PCs are expected from Microsoft with a refreshed Surface Pro X, the new Acer Spin 7, and a new convertible from HP

The tale of Windows 10 on ARM is an ever-evolving one with small, but significant advancements. The Samsung Galaxy Book S is the second PC to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx ARM processor (the other being Microsoft's Surface Pro X).

Following a more traditional clamshell design, this always-connected 4G LTE computer brings back one of Qualcomm's main advantages over rival Intel: battery longevity in a super-slender design.

I've spent the last few weeks with the Galaxy Book S, and Samsung has done an excellent job on hardware execution. But who should buy the Galaxy Book S, and what are the downsides to this $1,000 ultra-slim Ultrabook? Let's find out.

The Galaxy Book S has remained firmly at its $1,000 RRP since launch, and with Amazon Prime Day fast approaching, any discount on this device may tempt those considering a purchase. While Amazon doesn't currently stock this 8cx-powered Ultrabook, keep an eye out for price cuts to come.

Know before you buy

Samsung Galaxy Book S who this is for

Like the Surface Pro X, the Galaxy Book S has a specific demographic in mind: modern, mobile workers who need a premium, always-connected Windows 10 PC with better-than-average battery life.

Samsung built the Galaxy Book S, much like its previous Galaxy Book2, for executives and enterprise users who jump between meetings, ride trains, and who want to be in their work in an instant. That's not to say, students, journalists, writers, and anyone who focuses on office productivity tasks can't benefit either.

While Windows 10 on ARM has limitations (such as not being able to run any specialty 64-bit "classic" Windows applications, heavy lifting CAD programs, or be adept at gaming or video editing), but it still can do many of the core tasks for modern PC users. Running Microsoft Office, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, web browser, email, maps, and collaborative software is all some people need (see the rise of Chromebooks).

But it comes down to instant-on, ubiquitous 4G LTE connectivity, and all-day battery life that makes this laptop stand out from the rest.

So thin, so premium

Samsung Galaxy Book S design and features

The Galaxy Book S is a combination of exquisite, slim, handsome, and a touch of boring. In an age of 2-in-1 convertible laptops, or tablets that have pens that hide in the keyboard, the Galaxy Book S falls into the ho-hum "it's just a laptop" category.

The Galaxy Book S's trick is an old one: it's one of the thinnest and lightest laptops around (rivaled, perhaps, by the Acer Swift 7). That's not to be dismissed. There is an audience for those who want skinny, but also long battery life in a laptop. Up until now, that's been hard to ascertain, especially with an LTE modem.

With an all-metal, anodized aluminum design, tapered edges, and a rounded back, Samsung can undoubtedly design a pleasing laptop. Weighing just 2.1lbs (or 0.96 kg), the Galaxy Book S is exceptionally light. Still, due to that metal chassis, it doesn't feel cheap or hollow compared to similar designs that rely on polycarbonate for materials.

Two colors are available, including Mercury Gray (used for this review) and a pinkish "Earthy Gold."

Two Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) ports flank the sides of the Galaxy Book S, which is all you get for input/output. Samsung does toss in a Type-C to Type-A converter for those who require the usage of a traditional thumb drive or wired mouse. Unlike the Surface Pro X, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack too.

Underneath the chassis is a simple pullout drawer for the physical SIM (no eSIM, unfortunately) and microSD expansion.

The power button also houses an excellent fingerprint reader. While it doesn't read at the BIOS level (requiring to presses: one to power on, one to log in), it is very accurate and fast with no failures.

Either of those Type-C ports can be used for charging with the minuscule wall charger. A small LED light up on the right-hand side to let you know the device's charging status, which is a nice touch.

Excellent viewing

Samsung Galaxy Book S display and camera

Samsung uses a full HD (1920 x 1080) 13.3-inch TFT 10-point touch display with an aspect of 16x9. Pen and inking are not supported, unfortunately, though it makes little sense on a clamshell anyway.

It's a sharp display with excellent contrast, but there is a visible banding that can be seen in photos (not in real life). Even though it is "only" full HD, this is one of those screens that could pass for a higher resolution as it looks better than it should.

The display can get quite bright, falling just below 380 nits of brightness. It is glossy, but not the worst I've seen.

There are three thin bezels (top and sides) with a larger ~0.75-inch bezel on the bottom, which also has the Samsung logo. Such a design is a consequence of using the 16x9 aspect where a taller 16x10 would have looked better and more modern.

Samsung managed to squeeze in a very tiny 720P web camera on the top bezel too. It's surprisingly good, considering how small it is compared to others, though it leans on reds for colors a bit much. A little blue LED lets you know the camera is active.

There is no physical privacy shutter, nor is Windows Hello facial recognition supported.

Typing is a challenge

Samsung Galaxy Book S keyboard and trackpad

If there is one area that gives me pause on the Galaxy Book S, it is the keyboard. Key travel is exceptionally shallow, hovering near the 1mm mark.

I hesitate to call the keyboard bad because if you spend enough time with it, you do get used to it, but that adjustment curve is longer than any other laptop I have used recently (even the XPS 13 2-in-1). There is an uptick to shallow keyboards so long as you can get used to them: you can type very fast due to less movement.

The keyboard backlight is also tricky. It technically has three stages, and Samsung uses this cool light green color scheme, which contrasts nicely with the grey keys. But to call it dim is an understatement. You'll only see the key illumination in the darkest of scenarios. While it's not clear why Samsung opts for such dim keys, my hunch is it plays into their focus on extended battery life, which is a big part of this laptop's story.

The trackpad is large, smooth, and has a satisfying (albeit shallow) click. Samsung uses Microsoft Precision drivers, and it is overall excellent.

top-tier sounds

Samsung Galaxy Book S surprisingly excellent audio

Usually, when one talks about super-thin Ultrabooks, the speakers get the ax in terms of quality. That's not the case here.

Samsung uses two speakers on the bottom edges (side) that, due to the slight curve, will clear your lap or desk. The audio profile is tweaked by Samsung's go-to subsidiary AKG.

I'll be blunt and just say that Samsung did a remarkable job with the audio. It's loud, clear, and has perfect stereo separation and space. There's even some bass and resonance from the chassis, which is something larger laptops often omit but is found here. It's some of the best aural performance I have heard in the 13-inch class, and Samsung deserves commendation.

For conference calls, two microphones on the top deck also work very well.

OK CPU, excellent battery

Samsung Galaxy Book S benchmarks and battery

Windows 10 on ARM PCs are a bit tricky to describe, and therein lies the problem. A laptop like the Galaxy Book S is perfect for using apps from the Microsoft Store, or using the new Edge browser's ability to install web-apps like Disney+, Kindle Cloud Reader, Twitter, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and more.

Other apps like Microsoft Office, Skype, and other productivity-based programs that are Win32 (x86) based also work quite well. The caveat is 64-bit x86 applications like from Adobe don't run at all on the Galaxy Book S, though I'd argue this is not the kind of laptop for that task.

Read more: How to get the most out of your Windows 10 on ARM device

The Galaxy Book S won't win awards for being the fastest laptop due to the eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx processor (2.84GHz), but it's a solid step up from previous Snapdragon PC chips. Microsoft uses the "SQ1", which is just a fancy name for a ramped-up Snapdragon 8cx (3.0GHz), but it does reveal itself as the more powerful of the two PCs.

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

Geekbench 4

Geekbench 4.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

PCMark 10

Applications (Higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

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Samsung looked to reduce system costs by using its own UFS 256GB storage solution (KLUEG8UHDB-C2D1). Read speeds are respectable near 1,900 MB/s, but writes are just below 500 MB/s. While this isn't terrible, the Microsoft Surface Pro X uses a PCIe NMe SSD with slightly better read and write results.

RAM is fixed at 8GB LPDDR4x on either the 256GB or 512GB models.

For overall performance, the Galaxy Book S felt solid when sticking to productivity-based tasks. Gaming is a no-go if venturing beyond simple platformers or 2D titles. The 8cx can beat the Intel 8th Gen i7-8500Y, which is a dual-core low-power chip and speaks in favor of Qualcomm (which also costs less).

Example of the apps that I ran on the Galaxy Book S for my normal workload during this review period:

• Microsoft Office (Word, OneNote, Excel)
• Microsoft Edge (ARM64)
• Hulu
• Netflix
• Spotify
• VUDU
• Disney+
• Twitter
• Microsoft Teams
• Slack
• Mail (Outlook.com)
• Flow Mail (Gmail)
• Polarr Photo Editor Pro
• Microsoft News
• GroupMe
• OneDrive
• Skype
• Microsoft To Do
• myTube! (YouTube)
• MobileDiscord PTB (Discord)
• Unigram (Telegram)
• ExpressVPN using manual configuration

Because ARM PCs run so efficiently, there are no fans or even vents for cooling, ergo no noise (and no coil whine, either). Like other ARM-based PCs, this one never also gets warm.

Where the Galaxy Book S shines is battery life. Though it has a slightly larger 42WHr battery compared to the Surface Pro X's 38Whr, the real power savings come from that marginally slower processor and lower resolution display, both of which add hours of longevity to the Galaxy Book S.

Using Microsoft's battery report feature, the Galaxy Book S ranged between 8 and 16 hours, averaging just over 11 hours for usage during testing.

Turning to synthetic tests, specifically PCMark 10, which loops between Microsoft Office Win32 apps, the Galaxy Book S pulls in just over 11 hours. That test was run with the display brightness set to 35 percent, which was more than adequate for working under overhead lights. The Surface Pro X yielded just 8.5 hours on the same test in the same scenario. Both results are with 20 percent battery remaining, which means both laptops could get another hour or two on top of that.

Note: The biggest battery draw on these devices is display brightness. Running them higher and brighter will result in reduced battery life, so your results may vary.

PCMark 10 Battery (Applications)

Finally, turning to the 4G LTE, Samsung is using the Qualcomm X24 modem, which supports CAT20 LTE and up to 2 gigabits download speeds. Samsung sells the Galaxy Book S in partnership with Sprint and Verizon in the United States. Data performance and reception were excellent, with 60 Mbps achieved easily even without full-bar status, though individual results will vary. The modem never failed to connect and was extremely reliable.

Although the Galaxy Book S is sold through US carriers, the laptop is not SIM-locked. Dropping in a SIM from T-Mobile, for instance, worked just fine. Unfortunately, there is no eSIM support.

Filling a specific role

Conclusion: Samsung Galaxy Book S does some firsts, has one major oddity

The Galaxy Book S is one of the nicest looking Ultrabooks around that pushes various extremes. It is very light, super thin, all-metal, and solidly built with premium parts.

Its strengths are easily very long battery life that has particularly good standby time lasting days (or even weeks) and is always connected to the internet through Wi-Fi or LTE. Although the display is just full HD, it's a very evenly lit panel and matches Samsung's exceptional reputation for screen technology. Audio is also way better than expected, making this a fun laptop for watching Netflix in between work sessions.

Compared to the Surface Pro X, it has slightly worse performance, but it's not substantial. You could argue that the extra 2.5+ hours of battery life favoring the Galaxy Book S makes up for that slight performance hit. There's also the shorter 16x9 display (versus the 3x2) of the Galaxy Book S, and no pen support. Price-wise the Galaxy Book S costs less ($1,000) versus Surface Pro X at $1,250 with the keyboard.

My only main gripe is the keyboard. Typing can be frustrating due to the low-key travel, and it takes a while to adjust to the design. The keyboard backlight is also much too dim.

There aren't many laptops in this class that directly compete with the Galaxy Book S. There is a similar 2019 Acer Swift 7, which is nearly the same size and even slightly lighter. Build quality and audio is nowhere near as good, and the performance is worse due to dual-core Y-series Core processor. That Acer laptop is also $700 more expensive, lacks a touchscreen, a 4G LTE modem, and it has around half the battery life of the Galaxy Book S.

Another option is the best-value HP Spectre x360 13t. That laptop also gets very good battery life, has a more powerful 10th Gen i7 processor, double the storage, and it supports inking all for the same $1,000 price. HP, in theory, offers optional 4G LTE, but its availability is hit-and-miss, and that laptop is more than a half-pound heavier.

The question then comes down to how much you value one of the lightest, thinnest laptops on the market with quite remarkable battery life and 4G LTE? For most consumers, they will be better served with something like the HP Spectre x360. But for individual mobile workers who need an always-connected PC that effectively never hibernates and has instant-on that weighs just 2.1lbs, well, there are no other options I can recommend. That makes the Galaxy Book S a tool for a specific user, but a pretty great one for a friendly $1,000 price. That is if Samsung can just fix that keyboard.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is expanding its App Assure program to include ARM64.
• App Assure helps ISVs, consumers, and developers test and validate apps for Windows.
• The free program should encourage vendors to adopts ARM64 more quickly.

Microsoft is pushing forward with Windows on ARM with a new collaboration with Qualcomm to ensure app compatibility with the Snapdragon compute platform. Both companies today announced the expansion of Microsoft's App Assure program to include ARM64 support.

Announced in late 2018 (and made available in early 2019), Microsoft's App Assure program is designed to address any application compatibility issues when running Windows 10. The free program is for customers, developers, and independent software vendors (ISVs) who qualify under existing Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Initially, the Microsoft program helped companies transfer apps to Windows 10 and modernized them, but now the plan is expanding to ARM64 PCs powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. From today's press announcement:

The goal of the updated program is to "deliver superior user experiences for enterprise customers and consumers across Windows 10 on ARM64 devices, including the global Snapdragon-powered PC ecosystem." Hopefully, that translates into more apps that run natively on ARM64, as many in the industry consider ARM to be a significant player in mobile computing as we advance.

The program is going now live, and more information can be found on Microsoft's App Assure program website.

Qualcomm recently announced its new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G processor, which is set launch in Acer's new Spin 7 laptop and a teased HP convertible. Microsoft is also expected to join with its Surface Pro X with SQ2 processor sometime early next month.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's chief product officer Panos Panay took part in the launch event for Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G chip this week.
• In a short interview, Panay touched on everything from Surface Duo to Microsoft's partnership with Qualcomm.
• Panay also revealed Microsoft's App Assure team is now working with companies to get their apps ready to run on ARM at no cost.

If you didn't watch the whole launch event for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G chip this week, you likely missed a special guest: Microsoft chieft product officer Panos Panay. Speaking with Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon, Panay briefly chatted about everything from Surface Duo to Microsoft's partnership with Qualcomm and PC makers on Windows 10 on ARM PCs. The most notable part of the interview, however, was what Panay said about the app ecosystem for Windows 10 on ARM.

Microsoft's App Assure team is working with companies to get their apps running on ARM PCs, Panay said. While there were no announcements about which companies Microsoft is currently working with, Panay noted that it's engaged on both the consumer and ISV sides. Further, there's no added cost for companies to work with Microsoft through App Assure.

That's a potentially big deal for the app ecosystem on ARM PCs, if Microsoft can succeed in ushering developers over. Currently, unless an app is specifically built for ARM, you'll have to deal with either installing a web app or running it in 32-bit emulation. This comes with performance costs that you wouldn't see with a native ARM application.

You can view the full clip above to see Panay's full discussion with Amon.

What you need to know

• HP teased a new convertible PC powered by Qualcomm.
• The new device runs the just-announced Snapdragon 8cx Gen 5G chip.
• The mystery HP device has a flat siloed pen, some leather, and a detachable display.
• More news on this device is expected later this year.

Qualcomm just announced its revised Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G processor for Windows on ARM PCs. The new chip brings 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and improved performance and efficiency. While Acer's Swift 7 was unveiled as the first laptop with this chip, HP is also on board following its 2018 Envy X2.

The tease from came during Qualcomm's IFA presentation at the 36:15 mark from Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon.

Bits of a sizzler reel showed macro shots of the new device, which appears to be convertible with a removable display. The design also pays tribute to Microsoft's Surface Pro X with a hidden, flat active pen that fits near the top of the keyboard. There also looks to be a hint of leather, perhaps borrowing from HP's other experimental device, the 2018 HP Spectre Folio.

No word on when this mystery HP device will see the light of day, but it could be revealed closer to the holiday season in late November. We do know it will ship with the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 and likely have 5G, which could make it an exciting option for mobile business workers and creatives.

Do you spot anything else in the HP teaser? Let us know below.

What you need to know

• Acer announced the new Spin 7 today, the first notebook built on the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G platform.
• The convertible is also Acer's first Snapdragon PC, focusing on portability with "multi-day battery life."
• Acer hasn't provided pricing or a release date yet.

Qualcomm just unveiled the next iteration of its PC chip, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, and Acer is the first company to adopt it. Acer unveiled the new Spin 7 today, a convertible notebook focused on portability, connectivity, and a long-lasting battery. Moreover, it will be one of the few PCs hitting stores with 5G connectivity, something we expect to make its way to many more PCs in the coming months.

The Acer Spin 7 takes advantage of the flexibility of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 platform by squeezing a 14-inch display into a relatively slim convertible body. The company says the Spin 7 measures 0.63 inches thick (15.9mm) and it weighs 3.09 pounds (1.4kg). That's all in a magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis that can transform from laptop to tablet mode, and everything in between.

The highlight here is the Spin 7's 5G connectivity. Powered by the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 platform, the Spin 7 works with both mmWave and sub-6 5G frequencies, giving it quite a bit of flexibility depending on what's deployed in your area. Either way, you'll be able to stay connected on the go, potentially with the ridiculously fast speeds 5G is ostensibly capable of achieving.

When 5G isn't available, you can fall back on LTE for staying connected when outside of Wi-Fi range. When you're away from a power outlet, Acer claims the Spin 7 can hit "multi-day battery life," though we'll have to wait to see just how many hours that adds up to.

Finally, the Spin 7 works with a Wacom pen with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The pen can also be stashed in a dedicated garage built into the Spin 7's body when you're done with it. Acer has also included an antimicrobial coating on the Corning Gorilla Glass display, so you hopefully won't have to worry about things getting too grimy.

There's no pricing or availability information on the Spin 7 just yet. However, it should be an interesting notebook to watch as the first out there with Qualcomm's latest PC chip.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Teams is planned to get ARM64 support.
• Currently, Teams must run in emulation on devices like Surface Pro X.
• There is no ETA on when to expect the recompiled version.
• Microsoft still has a problem making its own apps optimized for Windows on ARM.

Late in 2019, the team behind Electron, which drives many cross-platform apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams, announced that it has been recompiled for Windows on ARM. But since its announcement, we have seen virtually no companies recompiling for ARM64, including (and embarrassingly) Microsoft.

That seems to be about to change. Just a few days after I lamented the status of Microsoft Teams for devices like Surface Pro X, Lenovo Flex 5G and Samsung Galaxy Book S, Rish Tandon, corporate vice president of Engineering for Microsoft Teams gave some guidance. In response to a question on Twitter, Tandon noted that Microsoft Teams for ARM64 is in the works.

Of course, no timeline was provided, so its exact stage of development is unknown. However, considering up until this point Microsoft has never even committed publicly to making Microsoft Teams for ARM64, this is, sadly, progress.

An ongoing problem

Microsoft Teams does run on devices like Surface Pro X, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, but it needs to run in Win32 emulation with reduced performance. Users can also opt to use Microsoft Teams as an "installed app" through the new Chromium Edge browser and its Progressive Web App feature. Still, issues with notifications and windowing are not uncommon.

Companies like Electron and UNITY have released the tools to developers to bring native apps and games to Windows on ARM, but so far, it has been a slow burn. Even the new Skype is running on Electron with reduced performance.

Microsoft has been quite egregious with such inconsistencies. Its new Xbox (Beta) app for Windows 10, for instance, won't even install on a Windows 10 on ARM PC. Rumors suggest Microsoft may integrate its Project xCloud into said app for handiness. If accurate, that means Windows 10 on ARM PCs won't be able even to leverage Xbox game streaming, which seems like a massive oversight.

At the very least, such lagging support for Microsoft Teams, Skype, Xbox, etc. signifies a lack of coherent vision at Microsoft. New platforms are only supported when convenient for the teams behind them.

Microsoft even had to be prodded to release its Chromium-Edge browser for ARM64 even as Surface Pro X was hitting stores. It was only eight months ago Microsoft began filtering non-compatible Microsoft Store apps for Windows on ARM users.

As I remarked on last week's podcast, Apple would not do this. When Apple launches its custom ARM devices and OS launch later this year, it is highly unlikely it will be in the same position as Microsoft.

Microsoft announced it would begin supporting ARM in December 2016, with the first PCs announced a year later. Since then, there has been steady progress, but it is also clear that Microsoft could be doing a lot more to support its own platform and hardware.

But hey, at least we now know that someday, Microsoft Teams will run natively on Surface Pro X. Sarcastic golf claps all around.

The evolution of Windows 10 on ARM has been an interesting one for the last few years. Like any new category, it has taken time for the always-connected PCs to find their niche. While Surface Pro X finally put Microsoft's stamp on the technology, it is Lenovo who is taking it even further by being the first (and currently only) Windows 10 PC with built-in 5G connectivity.

Putting aside what the hype around next-gen mobile connectivity, Lenovo's take on the Flex 5G is surprisingly better than I had expected. Of course, its high asking price, no doubt due to Qualcomm's "5G tax" makes it a hard sell for anyone who doesn't have deep pockets. But none of that means it's not a great mobile solution either.

Here is where the Lenovo Flex 5G shines, and what can still be improved.

Fit for light computing

Lenovo Flex 5G design, specs, and features

The Flex 5G borrows heavily from Lenovo's previous ARM-based PC the Yoga C630, which was released in late 2018. At the time, we gave the Yoga C630 high praise due to the long battery life, overall flexibility, and is one of the first ARM PCs with 8GB of RAM.

Lenovo went on to release the decent Yoga C640, dumping Qualcomm for Intel. But that was only short-lived as back in mid-2019, Lenovo and Qualcomm had teamed up for "Project Limitless", a collab to deliver the first 5G PC to market sometime in 2020. Project Limitless became the Flex 5G, which is sold directly by Lenovo and through its US partner with Verizon Wireless.

I expected the Flex 5G to be the same as the Yoga C630, but with the bonus of 5G connectivity. It turns out, Flex 5G is much more of refinement – and overall improvement – over Lenovo's last attempt at ARM.

Lenovo calls this "Flex" instead of "Yoga" for various marketing reasons, but the concept is the same. The Flex 5G can act as a regular thin laptop or flip around to become a usable tablet. Toss in some presentation and tent modes, and you have … a flexible PC. Lenovo uses its familiar dual-hinge design, and the laptop can be opened with one hand.

For the exterior, the Flex 5G features an aluminum-magnesium chassis that is wrapped in an inviting "iron grey" soft-touch layer. The body is firm with little flex and feels high quality without also being fragile. Lenovo earns praise for its beautifully minimalist design chic, especially with the tasteful Lenovo metal badge. In a sea of laptops that put the logo center on the back of the display, Lenovo's choice stands out and is frankly more beautiful looking.

However, some may not appreciate the corresponding Lenovo badge on the keyboard deck with Verizon's 5G logo. Still, I think it is a not-so-subtle reminder of why you are buying this laptop in the first place.

For ports, there are no surprises with just two Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 on the left that can be used for charging, data, and display out. There is no Type-A port, but since this PC is just a half-inch thick (14.7mm), it is just too thin to accommodate one.

A new smart addition is the dedicated airplane mode toggle on the right side (near the headphone jack). This physical switch has a nice hologram-like color, which adds a smidge of pizzazz. The toggle lets users kill Wi-Fi and the dual 4G +5G radio to save battery. It is a small extra, but it seems so right for this laptop, and I am glad it's here.

Lenovo puts the power button with a small power LED on the right side near the rear edge. That placement makes it convenient for powering on and off in different configurations. Still, it also means some people may accidentally toggle the power when gripping the Flex 5G to reposition it. I never had that happen, but it is why some manufacturers have returned to placement on the keyboard deck. There's another small LED on the left side near the Type-C port used for charging and battery status. That LED can blink orange when low on battery and also let users know the device is charging (solid white LED, instead of blinking) while the Flex 5G's lid is closed.

Besides the infra-red lens for Windows Hello facial recognition (another significant improvement over the Yoga C630), there is a secondary fingerprint reader on the top deck. Both options for biometric logging in worked without a hitch. The Flex 5G is one of the quickest instant-on Windows PCs to date.

At 2.97 pounds (1.35kg), it is difficult to call the Flex 5G light especially compared to the super-skinny Galaxy Book S (2.1lbs, or 0.96 kg). But Lenovo's extra weight has a justification: battery. Microsoft and Samsung prioritized slimness while sacrificing battery capacity (38 and 42 watt-hours, respectively), whereas Lenovo tossed in a massive 60 watt-hours into Flex 5G.

An improved display

Lenovo Flex 5G display and inking

Lenovo is now using a larger 14-inch full HD display instead of the previous 13.3-inch found in the Yoga C630. While it's still oddly 16:9 (instead of preferred 16:10), this screen is a massive improvement over the Yoga C630's, which suffered from a cheap yellowing of whites. The 14-inch size is much more practical, delivering a noticeable difference in usable space. Colors and contrast are excellent, making this one great looking screen.

The panel also hits around 400-nits for brightness, which is decent (and improved). But Samsung's similar Galaxy Book S has an "outdoor mode" that can boost the brightness to 600 nits, which is something Lenovo should adopt. What makes things worse is Lenovo's insistence on using a very glossy display instead of either matte or the superior glossy with anti-reflective coating. This complaint may seem like nitpicking, but for a computer that you can use anywhere at any time, it's sure a challenge to use in the bright outdoors.

There is some aggressive adapative contrast. While that feature is useful for the battery and your eyes, it does reduce the visibility of dark backgrounds even more so when outdoors. Unlike Intel-based laptops, it is not obvious how you can disable the "feature."

There is no adaptive brightness on this laptop, so users will need to set how bright the screen gets manually.

The Flex 5G supports Windows Ink via Lenovo's Digital Pen, which is an extra $32. Inking also works with the dual-protocol Bamboo Ink. Like the Yoga C630, inking is just OK on this PC. It gets the job done for notetaking, highlighting, and quick sketches, but the lack of precision and accuracy do not make the Flex 5G suitable for dedicated artistry.

Shallow, but OK

Lenovo Flex 5G keyboard, audio, and trackpad

The keyboard on the Flex 5G is a bit of a mixed bag. Lenovo has well-designed keycaps here that are tactical and look great, but the travel is quite low compared to other laptops. It's not dissimilar to the Galaxy Book S and is a smidge deeper, but there is still some adjustment needed. Lenovo is going for a thin profile and a lot of battery, which means less key travel.

I had no problems typing in my use, but Michael Fisher (aka MrMobile) did report dropping some keystrokes, which I find plausible due to the low key travel.

There is two-stage backlighting controlled by the FN key plus spacebar, which is familiar to Lenovo. Thanks to the dark background, the LED lighting works well and is visible at night.

The trackpad is quite large, smooth, and it has a very even click. Lenovo is, unsurprisingly, using Microsoft Precision drivers, and I rate this trackpad as exceptionally good.

Audio is also just OK. Lenovo is rightly using top-firing speakers, which flank the keyboard. New this year is support for Dolby Atmos, which via software provides better spatial abilities giving a bit more presence. Unfortunately, the audio still lacks bass and richness compared to other premium laptops. It is not bad, but it is still far from exceptional.

Now that's fast

Lenovo Flex 5G Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G performance

The Flex 5G has a physical Nano-SIM slot on the rear lower-half to add 4G or 5G wireless connectivity. There is also support for a secondary eSIM (electronic SIM) ability where users can buy data through Microsoft's app, or users can add an eSIM provided through a carrier.

While there is some branding of Verizon Wireless for the Flex 5G, including a partnership to sell them online, the Flex 5G is carrier-unlocked and supports all 4G and 5G networks. That means you can drop in a T-mobile, Sprint, or AT&T SIM and get whatever performance those services offer, including up to 5G. The Flex 5G also supports all global bands, and users should have no problems connecting to any world carrier.

4G LTE performance is very good, thanks to the aggressive antenna array needed for 5G. Compared to Intel-based laptops with an LTE modem, the Flex 5G is always connected. I never at a single issue with it connecting to a network (unlike the HP Elite Dragonfly, which often had modem issues).

5G support here includes both mmWave and Sub-6GHz, which is excellent. While mmWave is much faster than Sub-6GHz, it is also more prone to stability issues and interference from physical objects, including windows. Sub-6GHz is less impressive, and only offers around 20% improvement over current 4G LTE, but it is more widely deployed.

With the Flex 5G, the good news is you don't need to worry about these terms as the laptop connects to whatever is available and provided through your chosen carrier.

For this review, I had to drive an hour to get to a market (Boston) with Verizon 5G availability, which tells you a lot about the current state of the technology.

The reach of Verizon 5G ultrawideband (UWB) is sparse at the moment, but where it is available it delivers impressive, albeit inconsistent speeds. It's not uncommon to see 1,700 Mbps for download with 10ms pings. Such rates let me download Starship Troopers (1997) in full HD from Netflix in precisely four and a half minutes. Those numbers can dramatically shift when moving, but even at its worst rates, it's still in the hundreds of megabits per second speed, making it vastly faster than 4G.

Upload speeds, however, are less impressive at around 60 Mbps. That's still a massive jump from 4G LTE, and it easily beats the upload rates of many people's home (and wired) cable internet.

Bluetooth 5.0 is here as well, which is expected on any premium PC in 2020. It works well, and I had no issues with it. However, Qualcomm-based laptops are still using Wi-Fi 5 (11ac) instead of the preferred Wi-Fi 6 (11ax) standard. Intel is the biggest pusher of Wi-Fi 6 mobile chips, so there is likely some politics in play as to why the Flex 5G omits the tech, which is unfortunate.

Endless battery

Lenovo Flex 5G power, battery, and performance

Although the Flex 5G is one of the more massive Windows 10 on ARM laptops nearing 3 pounds, it at least pays off with battery life. Lenovo makes some bold claims of 20 or more hours of usage, but realistically it is a minimum of at least nine hours with everything set to max. It's not uncommon, however, to routinely hit 12 or more hours, which is incredible. That's real usage with 4G LTE on and display brightness up high.

Using PCMark 10 synthetic battery test, which attempts to run down the processor to 20% while running office apps, web browser, and video calls demonstrate just how much more battery the Flex 5G packs:

PCMark 10 Battery (Applications)

There are no Intel-based laptops with 4G LTE that can claim the same (not without an extra half-pound of weight), let alone ones having 5G. When combined with the instant-on abilities, this laptop gets excellent battery life, but it also means you never have to wait for it to turn on as it behaves exactly like your smartphone.

Oddly, however, the Flex 5G has absolutely no way to hibernate. The Surface Pro X goes to a deep hibernate after a few hours, helping preserve battery life (at the cost of having to resume). Of course, users can override that feature on Surface Pro X or make the timeout feature longer. But on the Flex 5G, even under custom advanced power settings, there is no option for hibernating at all, and it cannot be added. That means the Flex 5G never turns off unless you power it down or the battery dies. In some ways, it is fine since the battery longevity here is so extended, but it also means if left unattended for a few days, the Flex 5G's battery will die just like your smartphone.

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

Geekbench 4

Geekbench 4.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

PCMark 10

Applications (Higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

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Performance is quite good and the Flex 5G is the fastest instantiation of Windows on ARM yet (see PCMark 10). While Surface Pro X is technically more potent on paper (thanks to its 3.0GHz Qualcomm processor, instead of the 2.85GHz of the Flex 5G), it does not show up in benchmarks, nor can you noticed the difference side by side. Surface Pro X also has a stronger GPU, but it is not clear that users will see the difference in day to day productivity. I did not.

Comparatively, the Snapdragon 8cx is similar to the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, which is still used in many mid-range laptops. The 8cx also comfortably beats the older, but low-powered, Intel dual-core Core i7-8500Y.

SSD performance is also in the expected range with the 256GB UFS 3.0 drive (bumped from UFC 2.1). Just shy of 2,000 MB/s for sequential read and 500 MB/s for writing is like the Galaxy Book S but lags behind Surface Pro X.

While there is still some confusion over what Windows 10 on ARM can do, for this class of device, and my workload, I had no issues with day to day activities. Here is a sample of the apps and programs that I use on a laptop like the Flex 5G:

• Microsoft Office (Word, OneNote, Excel)
• Microsoft Edge (ARM64)
• Hulu
• Netflix
• Spotify
• VUDU
• Disney+
• Twitter
• Microsoft Teams
• Slack
• Mail (Outlook.com)
• Flow Mail (Gmail)
• Polarr Photo Editor Pro
• Microsoft News
• GroupMe
• OneDrive
• Skype
• Microsoft To Do
• myTube! (YouTube)
• MobileDiscord PTB (Discord)
• Unigram (Telegram)
• ExpressVPN using manual configuration

However, another odd bug is when the Flex 5G hits less than 20% of battery life. The Snapdragon 8cx comes to a crawl, which is very noticeable. This drop in performance is demonstratable in Geekbench 5, which saw a steep decline in single-core speed (147 versus 716). It's easy to ascribe such behavior to "battery saver mode," but this is not the case as the performance drop occurs even when plugged in and using the included 45-watt Type-C charger. That should not happen.

Because of the fanless and ventless design of the Flex 5G (and the Snapdragon processor), there is effectively no heat or thermals to report. The Flex 5G is entirely silent and never gets hot.

Anything similar?

Let's talk about the competition

The one prominent defining feature of the Flex 5G is, well, the 5G ability. As of this review, there is no competition in this space. HP is expected to have a 5G-enabled Elite Dragonfly (see our review of the non-5G version) later this summer. So is Dell with the new Latitude 9510. Both laptops, however, will run at least hundreds of dollars more than the $1,400 price for the Flex 5G, and they won't have the same battery life or instant-on abilities. Conversely, they won't have the limits of ARM64 since they rely on Intel x86, making the higher cost worthwhile for some buyers.

In other words, while not cheap, the Flex 5G may end up being the most affordable 5G-enabled laptop for the foreseeable future.

Samsung's new Galaxy Book S is a natural competitor to the Flex 5G except for the fact it is only 4G LTE capable. But at $999, it is $400 cheaper than the Flex 5G and delivers a similar experience. Unfortunately, Book S is a non-convertible laptop, which means while it does have a touch screen, it is less capable than the Flex 5G and it does not support inking at all. It also gets significantly less battery life compared to the Flex 5G and has a slightly worse keyboard, but it is thinner and nearly a pound lighter.

Microsoft's Surface Pro X is also another excellent always-connected candidate. It differs from Galaxy Book S and Flex 5G in that it is a tablet-style PC instead of a clamshell convertible laptop. The Pro X is around two hundred dollars cheaper (after including the required Surface Type Cover, and optional pen). It gets worse battery life but has a higher resolution display, excellent inking, particularly good audio, and a unique form factor.

Factoring out 4G and 5G capability, and the competition goes through the roof. There are plenty of modern Ultrabooks that cost less and deliver more performance, but lack the advantages (and disadvantages) of ARM.

Really good, but could be better

Lenovo Flex 5G Should you buy?

Who it's for

• If you absolutely "need" 5G in a laptop
• If you want always-connected with excellent battery life
• If you work mostly on web, office, email, video calls, and information
• If money is NBD
• If you like convertible PCs with OK inking

Who it isn't for

• If you want to game (without streaming)
• If you're looking to stretch your dollar
• If you need 64-bit x86 applications like Adobe Photoshop

The biggest drawback to the Flex 5G is obvious: its $1,400 price. It all comes down to the "tax" levied on by Qualcomm for its 5G compute platform. Companies have invested millions into developing and promoting 5G, so it is not uncommon to see them recoup costs by charging early adopters more money for the privilege. Such an experience is mirrored in current 5G phones, which almost always run a higher price tag unless heavily subsidized by a carrier.

The question is whether getting 5G in a laptop is worth it, which is a personal choice. While there is a lot of hype around 5G, one could convincingly argue that it makes much more sense in a laptop than a phone. You are likely to be more stable for that mmWave 5G versus a phone, and you're likely to need the bandwidth (or least, appreciate it) on a real PC.

While 5G coverage is lacking for many of us right now, it is also clear that such limitations will go away over the coming years. But then one can assume that even faster 5G-enabled laptops will be around making the Flex 5G a purchase for those with lots of extra income (or business execs). That's fine, as that is a legitimate market, but let's not confuse that with average consumers who won't see much benefit.

For fans of Windows on ARM, or the idea of an always-connected PC, the Flex 5G is one of the best implementations of the technology yet. Performance is excellent, the display here is much better than the Yoga C630, battery life is incredible, and it's just a fun laptop to use.

Some issues like the CPU performance drop when below 20% battery, or the inability to hibernate give me pause in recommending this without caveats. However, both problems are technically solvable through software (or firmware) updates, and depending on how you use the Flex 5G may not even be noticeable.

The Flex 5G does some fantastic stuff, and what it does it does very well. It delivers high-speed internet, a battery that lasts for days, excellent performance, and is an overall reliable productivity laptop. But its high price, some early bugs, and glossy display all hurt what is otherwise a significant advancement of the Windows on ARM initiative.

Availability for the Flex 5G is currently in the US-only, but Lenovo will sell it in other markets, including the UK, with EE partnerships this year. The laptop can be purchased directly from Lenovo, or Verizon Wireless with the latter knocking of $100 (1,400 vs. $1,500 from Lenovo).

Overall, it's nice to see a "win" for ARM processing on Windows PCs by being the first to new technology. While we can debate the novelty of 5G, it is impressive to have it this early on a Windows 10 PC. Even without the 5G ability, Flex 5G is an outstanding productivity-focused light computing laptop that will benefit travelers and executives once the world resumes to normal.

Apple is reportedly going to start using its own ARM processors in some of its laptops starting next year, according to a recent report in Bloomberg. The news of a switch goes back to 2018, and is therefore not surprising. Still, it appears that Apple is getting closer to making the change a reality.

Microsoft has been using ARM for many years now, going back to the failed 2011 Windows RT attempt. Microsoft has since righted many of the wrongs with Windows 10, which does not have nearly as many limitations as Windows RT. New releases of the Samsung Galaxy Book S and Surface Pro X have created always-connected thin clients that cannot be matched by Intel or AMD, filling a niche, but significant market.

With Apple getting into the mix, though, it is both good and bad for Microsoft. Apple's 8-core A12 Bionic Chip series brings some serious performance that outmatches even the Surface Pro X's Qualcomm-based Microsoft SQ1 chip by a margin. There's little doubt that Apple has an advantage when it comes to iPadOS and its own hardware contrasted to Microsoft.

And therein lies the rub. Apple is likely to see greater earlier success than Microsoft if it sticks to putting ARM into something like the entry-level MacBook Air. That laptop is easy to optimize for as it currently features a dual-core Intel chip (Core i3-1000NG4). Tossing the Snapdragon 8cx into a MacBook Air could nearly match that performance even in x86-32-bit emulation.

Apple still has a lot of work cut out for it. The same app compatibility problems and platform limitations are likely with macOS. Popular apps from companies like Adobe are likely to be in "development hell" before they are successfully ported. Mac users are already contending with the end of 32-bit app support with Catalina, making this a potential double whammy of app incompatibility for users.

But Apple does have arguably better developer relations compared to Microsoft, making any such transition possibly less painful. When Apple cracks a whip, its dev audience listens. Moreover, Apple is expected to bring over its iPadOS apps to macOS, filling any app gaps.

Apple's real threat though, is its in-house ARM development. It is incredible how, in just a few years, the company has created such powerful chips. This "leak" about switching to ARM came right before Intel's quarterly earnings on the same day. If Apple is getting ready to dump Intel for some of its product lines, then this news is timed to throw shade on Intel in a very public way.

The good news, if any, is this news puts more focus on general ARM development. With new companies getting on board, it gives ARM – even under Qualcomm – much greater reach and mindshare. Microsoft already had done a lot of work on ARM, and by the time 2021 rolls around, the rumored Win32-64bit support could be here.

With Apple finally making an ARM-based laptop, it could actually drive demand for something similar in the PC space. Luckily, Microsoft and its partners are already there, meaning there would be less catching up.

Qualcomm is on its third-generation of Windows-only processors in just over two years. Who knows what it has lined up for 2021, but it should be a substantial evolution over the current Snapdragon 8cx.

Even Intel is finally reacting to threats from ARM on multiple fronts. Its next-gen Tremont microarchitecture with Lakefield should bring most of the benefits of ARM to Windows with fewer drawbacks.

Microsoft, of course, is leading the way for ARM in laptops. But Apple is likely to swoop in and garner all the credit in 2021. Nothing is new there, but it does bode well for this idea that the future of mobile computing is diverging towards two major categories: thin clients with 4G and 5G, and beefier laptops with powerful discrete processing. How it plays out will likely be no different than today: Apple wins in the consumer market, while Microsoft dominates work and productivity.

What you need to know

• Developers managed to get Windows 10 running on a Samsung Galaxy S8.
• The hack is quite limited, as it doesn't support touch, cameras, or other sensors.
• Other developers showed the Xiaomi Mi6 running Windows 10 recently.

A group of developers recently managed to get Windows 10 running on a Samsung Galaxy S8. Windows 10 is currently quite limited on the hacked Galaxy S8, as it's unable to support touch, cameras, or other sensors at this time. One of the lead developers, Evsio0n, shared insight into the project with Windows Latest. Specifically, the project aims to bring Windows 10 on ARM to Android devices.

The project had a leap forward as a memory leak bug was fixed in the Windows 10 ARM project for Snapdragon 835.

Developers often place a challenge on themselves to put operating systems onto devices they were never meant to touch. For example, people got Windows 95 running on a Nintendo 3DS XL back in 2016. Another group of developers says they got Windows 10 running on a Xiaomi Mi6.

Projects like this one won't result in people being able to download Windows 10 onto their Android flagships. Instead, they're fun projects developers can work on to challenge themselves and have fun seeing what they can make a device do.

What you need to know

• GigSky is providing a free day of data on its network during the coronavirus pandemic.
• GigSky works on a variety of devices, including Always Connected Windows 10 PCs.
• The free day of data can be applied to larger plans as well.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it's important to be able to stay in touch. GigSky is making that easier by providing a free day of data to anyone. GigSky works in over 190 countries and works on a variety of devices, including Always Connected Windows 10 PCs like the Surface Pro X. The offer is valid through May 16, 2020.

GigSky states that it is "completely aligned with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and support the idea of working from home where possible, while reducing travel with the aim of minimizing risk to the global community." To help people do this, the company is providing a free day of data to anyone who uses a promo code. GigSky breaks down why it's doing this and how to receive the offer:

GigSky is available on many cellular devices, including the latest iPhones, iPads with cellular connectivity, several Pixel devices, and Always Connected Windows 10 PCs. You can check if your device is supported and see GigSky's coverage area on the company's website.

If you have a Surface Pro X (five of us do here at Windows Central) or any Windows 10 on ARM PC, you may have noticed that the calling support in Your Phone doesn't quite work. The feature for Windows 10 on ARM often results in phone calls coming through distorted rendering it effectively useless (all the other Your Phone perks work as expected).

The good news is if you have experienced this effect, even with the latest and greatest phones from Samsung, you're not alone. Your misery may also be ending soon.

We asked Vishnu Nath, Partner Director of PM at Microsoft Mobile and Cross-Device Experiences, about plans to fix this and the team is on it:

Microsoft is currently testing Your Phone with Surface Pro X, and they expect an April time-frame in fixing phone calls with Your Phone.

Windows 10 on ARM presumably has some different audio and Bluetooth drivers, which is Qualcomm based versus the typical Intel ones found in most PCs. It makes some sense that devices with less market penetration are a bit behind the curve for support.

Additionally, we have reported that Microsoft's Surface Duo dual-screen Android phone could be released as early as this summer instead of the late 2020. The Surface Duo and Surface Pro X would make a killer combo when you include Your Phone, so Microsoft would be wise to have it all lined up later this spring.

Of course, dates slip, and April is a wide window. But if you want the ability to make calls through your Surface Pro X that will be happening sooner than later.

Microsoft's Your Phone app has been getting a lot of attention lately. Copy and paste recently arrived along with RCS messaging, and there is a new feature that blacks-out your phone's display when mirroring on PC to save battery life.

Windows 10 on ARM is precisely what the name states; Windows 10 on ARM. It looks like Windows 10, acts like Windows 10, and can run Windows 10 apps and programs. It has a few notable restrictions, such as its inability to run x64 apps, but in general, it's simply a version of Windows 10 built to run on ARM processors. Devices running Windows 10 on ARM feature long battery life, excellent standby battery, and have the ability to stay connected to the web through cellular data. Depending on your workflow, you might be able to just turn on a Windows 10 on ARM device and run it exactly like your other PCs, but there are a few things you can do to get the best performance and battery life out of the device.

Arm yourself with an ARM-friendly browser

A web browser is the central hub for many people on their PC. Whether it's getting work done, browsing the web, or watching some videos, a person's browser of choice is probably one of their most-used apps. While you can download Google Chrome on to a device running Windows 10 on ARM, you'll get better performance and better battery life by using a browser that's compiled for ARM. The new Microsoft Edge has a version compiled for ARM, and there's an ARM64 version of Mozilla Firefox as well.

These browsers run natively on Windows 10 on ARM devices and don't require any emulation. As a result, they run smoother than Google Chrome and get better battery life.

Get progressive with your apps

Microsoft continues to take advantage of and work with progressive web apps (PWAs). The new Microsoft Edge can "install" progressive web apps to the taskbar or Start Menu. These PWAs are often dramatically lighter on your system and smaller than their full-fat app counterparts.

Some PWAs will run better than other versions of the same service. For example, you can install the web version of Spotify onto your PC instead of the desktop bridge version in the Microsoft Store or the classic program from Spotify's website. The web version is touch-friendly, arguably looks nicer, and provides a great Spotify experience. The only real drawback is the lower bitrate that the web version has.

How to install Disney Plus as a Windows 10 app

There are some excellent sites that are PWAs, including Disney Plus, Hulu, Instagram, Twitter, Google Mapps, and Spotify. As a bonus, the PWA you install on your Windows 10 on ARM device will likely get more updates than many Windows 10 apps. PWAs work across platforms, so Windows users benefit when a developer updates a PWA, even if the company's real target was another platform.

Related: Disney+ Xbox One app now available to download

Utilize UWP

Progressive web apps and a good web browser are great, but you can take your Windows 10 experience even further with UWP apps. These apps are built from the ground up with Windows 10 in mind. They automatically suspend when they're not in use, and will help you get better battery life on your device than older pieces of software.

There's some debate on what makes a UWP app. For the purposes of getting the best Windows 10 on ARM experience, you should look at what some people call native UWP applications. As an example, myTube is a native UWP application that's an excellent YouTube client. Apps using the desktop bridge, like Spotify, don't have all the advantages that native UWP apps do.

Simply set up a SIM

One of the best things about Windows 10 on ARM devices is that they're Always Connected PCs. You can connect your PC to the web through a cellular connection. Windows 10 handles this well, and you can seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and cellular connections. It's a great way to get work done on the road without having to use public Wi-Fi. You can also stay connected in places like a nice park or anywhere that has a cellular signal but no Wi-Fi.

While constant cellular connectivity is an excellent feature, you might want to stick with a physical SIM card over eSIM. Our news editor Dan Thorp-Lancaster went through an eSIM hell trying to get his Surface Pro X to work with Sprint through an eSIM.

Warming up to ARM

Windows 10 on ARM is still a relatively new platform, but it's already better than it was at launch. The new Microsoft Edge has a version compiled for ARM and allows you to easily install PWAs. Windows 10 works well with cellular connectivity, at least once you initially set up your SIM, so Windows 10 on ARM devices can stay connected all day.

Sometimes PC tweaks and pieces of advance only make a small difference. That's not the case with the suggestions in this guide. If you stick with apps built for ARM, PWAs, and a browser compiled for ARM, you will have a noticeably better experience on your Windows 10 on ARM device. Your battery will last longer, your apps will run quicker, and your device should feel better to use.

What you need to know

• Verizon, Sprint, and several carriers around the world will support 5G PCs.
• PCs are on the way that support both millimeter wave and sub-6GHz 5G networks.
• Several carriers in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia will support 5G PCs.

2020 is shaping up to be the year of 5G, and 5G PCs will be part of that push. Qualcomm announced today that Verizon, Sprint, and several major carriers around the world will support 5G PCs. Several 5G PCs have been announced, like the Lenovo Yoga 5G and HP Dragonfly 5G that support both millimeter wave and sub-6GHz 5G networks.

Qualcomm shared the list of carriers that will support 5G PCs:

North America

• Verizon
• Sprint

Europe, Middle East & Africa

• EE
• Swisscom
• Telefonica
• TIM
• Transatel

Asia, Australia & New Zealand

• China Mobile
• China Telecom
• China Unicom
• KDDI Corporation
• Rakuten Mobile
• KT
• LGU+
• SK Telecom
• SoftBank Corp.
• Telstra

Notably, AT&T is not mentioned in the announcement, but it's still early days for 5G, and the technology shouldn't prevent new 5G devices from working on their network. South America is also not listed by Qualcomm, though that doesn't mean no carriers on the continent will support 5G PCs.

It's a bit unclear what support from a carrier means in regard to 5G PCs. Always Connected PCs can connect to 4G networks just by placing a SIM inside. Generally, placing a SIM inside an Always Connected PC just works. There are some exceptions to this, and sometimes 4G Always Connected PCs work better on networks they've been optimized for. We'll have to wait and see if this works in a similar way for 5G PCs.

Qualcomm announced the 5G X55 chipset for Always Connected PCs one year ago. That chip can work in ARM-based laptops or Intel ones.

Recently, a company called Emperion teased a new "phone" coming dubbed the "Nebulus." What makes it interesting is the device running Windows 10 on ARM instead of the now-defunct Windows 10 Mobile. The company also promises the ability to run Android apps, making it sound like a killer option for early adopters. Here's why, though, I'm skeptical, and you should be too.

1. Windows 10 on ARM can't make phone calls

At least as is, Windows 10 does not have the proper telephony abilities that Windows 10 Mobile. In simple terms, that means it's not clear how the Nebulus can be a phone since it can't make phone calls (or send SMS messages).

Emperion says, "they're working with Microsoft," though that could mean anything. The company also liked a tweet that mentioned they would be adding their own telephony abilities. Maybe Emperion has solved this problem, but until we know more, it's one more thing to cause concern.

2. Snapdragon 845 is a weird choice

The Nebulus allegedly runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor (original plans suggest the device was Intel-based).

Up until now, Windows 10 on ARM has supported the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Snapdragon 850 and, and Snapdragon 8cx. The Snapdragon 845 was never supported, nor has there been any devices with Windows 10 released with it to our knowledge. Granted, the Snapdragon 850 is technically just the Snapdragon 845 with higher clock speed, but we're not sure why Emperion would not just say that.

Furthermore, many people have complained about the speed inadequacy of the Snapdragon 8cx. Those people are wrong, of course, but going down a step on a device with likely slower storage and RAM is not going to help with performance. Running full Windows on the Snapdragon 845 (even "overlocked") may not be that satisfying.

3. Android apps – but how?

Emperion claims the "phone" will run Android apps within Windows itself without an emulator. The last part is weird, as that means something like BlueStacks is out of the picture.

Do they mean it runs Android apps via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)? If so, it's a bit of a kludge, and it's still technically a form of emulation. It also means that something like the Google Play store is improbable, but instead, users must sideload Android APK files directly.

Assuming all of that happens somehow that it is still likely to be a messy experience.

4. The UI (and company) is a mystery

Emperion claims that the Nebulus runs a custom UI, which, assuming it is true, will likely do little to improve performance.

Again, we don't know what this even means. Some screenshots the company used in mockups looks like a combination of Windows Phone and Windows 10X, which doesn't seem possible.

Then there is Emperion themselves. If you have never heard of them, you're not alone as we haven't either. With under 500 followers on Twitter and a not very handy webpage, we can't say this is a company that yet inspires confidence.

Whatever the Nebulus is, it's undoubtedly a "white label" brand out of China with perhaps some modest changes and Windows 10 on ARM shoehorned on to it. That means don't expect much for the camera or hardware quality.

Emperion has shared some purported specs of the Nebulus, which include:

• 2x 13MP AI Camera + 10.5MP Selfie
• 6.19-inch Cosmos Display
• PureVi Visual Enhancement technology
• 2K upscaling
• 6,000mAh Battery
• 128GB Storage (expandable up to 2TB)
• Front-firing 1CM speakers with Dolby
• Windows 10 Pro + Android in one
• Headphone jack
• Pricing: £549 (~ USD 713)

The Nebulus will also first be released to Europe, Middle East, and Asia.

5. This isn't Windows 10X

Microsoft's Windows 10X was originally conceived of running on a phone. Indeed, the Surface Duo was going to be a Windows 10X device before Microsoft decided sometime in late 2018 to go with Android instead.

Most people know enough about Windows 10X to recognize it'd be advantageous on this type of device. Unfortunately, Windows 10X does not yet support ARM processors, so Emperion has no choice here.

That's regrettable and makes the concept of this device a year or two too early. Running full Windows 10 with Win32 support on a teeny device with a Snapdragon processor is going to be a very different experience than running the more efficient Windows 10X.

Conclusion: Hope springs eternal

If Emperion ships this device, we will review it and give it a fair shake. If there's one site that loves pushing category-defining hardware, it's us. The idea behind Nebulus is very intriguing and the concept of an ARM PC that fits in our pocket has us stoked. But there is a lot of uncertainty too, including the hardware specs, legitimacy of the company, and even this phone's quality.

Fans of Windows Phone have been burned before when mysterious, no-name companies have swooped in to claim they have a killer device. But when operations like Razer and Essential can't even compete with straight-up Android phones, I'm not confident that Emperion can buck that trend.

There's also a lot of handwaving around crucial details, including how the OS works, or if Nebulus can make phone calls and send text messages. What about the keyboard? Battery life? Performance? Support or even a website?

For now, we'll keep an eye on Emperion, but we're not excited yet, and you probably shouldn't be either.

Earlier today, a company called Emperion unveiled details about a smartphone it's building that supposedly runs full Windows 10 on an overclocked Snapdragon 845 processor, that's also able to run Android apps without emulation or dual-booting with Android. It sounds too good to be true, and it probably is, but let's assume this is a product that can be executed on. Would you buy it?

Of course, a smartphone with Windows 10 on ARM has its own issues. Primarily, full Windows 10 is not a mobile platform, and as such, doesn't have a shell that's designed for smartphone-sized screens. Emperion says it's going to build its own shell experience that will run on top of Windows 10, which could help, but that means the experience won't be tailored by Microsoft.

The other issue is that Windows 10 on ARM doesn't have telephony capabilities. That means it doesn't natively support the ability to make and receive phone calls or SMS messages. Those are two essential capabilities for a smartphone. Windows 10 on ARM does support LTE of course, so you could get around this by requiring the user to use Skype instead. But that's still not great.

There are also questions around how exactly Emperion is planning to allow Android apps to run on top of Windows 10 without emulation. They haven't said, but "without emulation" means it won't be taking advantage of software like Bluestacks or the canceled Project Astoria.

I just don't think there's any point in a smartphone that runs full Windows 10 on ARM. Full Windows 10 is not a mobile platform. It just isn't. The only benefit that a smartphone running full Windows 10 has is the ability to dock to an external screen, with a full desktop, and run Win32 programs. But that's it. That's not enough to warrant a smartphone with full Windows 10.

Win32 programs themselves are not very good on small screens, so you won't want to run them directly on the phone. The UWP app situation when it comes to mainstream apps such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, and more, is bleak. While the ability to run Android apps on Windows 10 would help, there's no word on how this works. If it doesn't include Play Services, most of those apps won't work anyway.

But I digress. We want to know if you'd be interested in buying a smartphone with Windows 10 on ARM. Do you have any use cases for this that we can't see? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Emperion teased a "phone" that runs Windows 10 on ARM.
• Windows 10 on ARM can't make phone calls, however.
• The "phone" can also run Android apps without an emulator or switching between operating systems.
• Microsoft allegedly worked with Emperion to "put the Nebulus together."

Updated February 19, 2020: We've added more details from Emperion regarding phone support and Android app support.

Windows Phone fans might have a reason to rejoice. Emperion teased a phone on Twitter that runs Windows 10 on ARM. This would be the first device of its kind and opens the doors for the mobile experience of Windows. Jeremy Sinclair reached out to Emperion and got more details about the device. He was kind enough to share those details with us for this article. Emperion refers to the phone as the Nebulus in its discussions with Sinclair.

Before diving into the device further, it's worth highlighting that this news is a single tweet and some follow up answers. Emperion did not release a press release or an official statement with the information. With that being said, let's take a look at what Emperion says about the phone.

There's plenty of information to digest with this device, but here are a few key takeaways. First, the device is running Windows 10 on ARM with Emperion's own UI. It runs on an overclocked Snapdragon 845 processor. Emperion states that "Microsoft have been instrumental in helping us put the Nebulus together and they've been a great help!"

Emperion will sell the phone SIM-free through its website and are currently in negotiations with a cellular provider in the UK. The company has plans to ship the device in the US.

The Nebulus will be able to able to switch to a desktop mode through USB-C or wireless, similarly to Continuum.

Emperion also specified that the Nebulus will be able to run Android apps, stating, "We've included the ability to use Android apps from within windows without an emulator or having to switch between operating systems.

We reached out to Emperion, which shared a bit more on how the phone runs Android apps, stating, "The Android App system will be native, we can't say much more currently..."

The device will be single SIM and carrier unlocked. It will have expandable storage up to 2TB through microSD. It also has a headphone jack.

We also asked Emperion about if the Nebulus will be able to natively make phone calls. Emperion said "It will have native calling and SMS etc." It also alluded to the fact that some people's guesses on how this will work are close to accurate. It's unclear what that means exaclty.

Emperion will offer just one model of the device. Emperion states that they "feel that a flagship should remain so for the lifetime of the product in our range."

Finally, we should note that Windows 10 on ARM does not have native telephony abilities meaning we're not sure how this can actually be a "smartphone" in the traditional sense. Perhaps they will use Skype and LTE for calls and messages, but for now there are still many more questions than answers including whether it will be any good (or if it's just all hype).

What you need to know

• Privacy-based Brave browser has been recompiled for ARM64
• Though unofficial the work is being passed on to the Brave team.
• Windows 10 on ARM could soon have a third native web browser.

One of the neat things about browsers based on the open-source Chromium project is anyone – with the right skills and time – can recompile a browser. That's the case with Window MVP developer Jeremy Sinclair who has effectively merged Microsoft's ARM64 Chromium libraries with Brave.

For a refresher, Brave is one of the latest Chromium-based browsers to hit the market. Launching officially in November 2019 (see our review) the team behind Brave is focused heavily on privacy and security. Brave has built-in ad and tracking prevention and other features that make it attractive to those who prefer something familiar but different.

Sinclair recompiled Brave (version 1.6.33) with ARM64 libraries so that it can run natively on Windows 10 on ARM PCs like the new Surface Pro X. Sinclair shared the files with us, and indeed, it not only runs but is exceptionally fast too.

While this build of Brave is not yet for the public, the good news is Sinclair is passing on his work to the Brave team. Considering most of the work is now done, there is a good chance an official version could be made available in the foreseeable future. We'll, of course, keep following the story.

For now, there is still Microsoft's new Edge browser compiled for ARM64 and even Firefox has a version in testing. Ironically, Google itself has still not budged on making a version for ARM64 despite having the code available.

What you need to know

• Samsung's Galaxy Book S is now available for preorder.
• The Galaxy Book S is a thin and light laptop powered by an ARM processor.
• Release date/shipping is set for February 13.
• It's available for $999

Samsung made the Galaxy Book S available for preorder today. The laptop is one of the first clamshell laptops powered by the Snapdragon 8cx processor. Like many other ARM-powered Windows 10 devices, the Galaxy Book S gets good battery life and comes in a thin and light form factor. Samsung states that the Galaxy Book S gets up to 23 hours of battery life.

The Galaxy Book S was initially scheduled to come out in September. Samsung never issued a statement on the device's delay, but you can preorder it now. The device will be available on February 13, 2020. Samsung announced that the Galaxy Book S is available for preorder starting today. Samsung's website doesn't currently show an option to order the device, but it should update soon.

In addition to making the Galaxy Book S available for preorder, Samsung announced that anyone who preorders the Galaxy Book S before February 13 is eligible for a $100 credit towards any Samsung PC, tablet, and select accessories.

Here's a full look at the specs for the Galaxy Book S:

The Galaxy Book S will be available on Samsung's website, at Microsoft Stores, and at Verizon on February 13, 2020 and will be available at Sprint starting February 14, 2020.

What you need to know

• The Dev channel for Microsoft Edge now has native ARM64 builds.
• ARM64 builds were previously limited to the Canary channel.
• ARM-optimized apps don't rely on emulation, which improves performance and battery life.

Microsoft shipped the last update of 2019 for the Dev channel for the new Microsoft Edge today. The update brings native ARM64 builds to the Dev channel and several new features for people to test.

ARM-optimized apps perform better and have better battery life than emulated counterparts. The range of Windows 10 on ARM devices is relatively small but includes Microsoft's new Surface Pro X. Microsoft points out in a tech community post that the ARM64 build in the Dev channel has most major issues ironed out, but can struggle to play certain DRM videos.

In addition to bringing native ARM64 builds to the Dev channel, this update brings three new features that Microsoft outlines.

• One of them is what we're calling the "pinning wizard". It will occasionally pop up from your Task Bar and suggest top websites from your history to pin directly to the Task Bar as installed websites. It can also be used at any time from … > More tools.
• For users of high contrast themes in Windows, Edge now supports high contrast themes as well! It will follow the theme you've chosen in the OS Settings and brings us back to parity with the support offered in Edge Legacy.
• And for users of Immersive Reader (formerly known as Reading View), we've greatly expanded the number of color themes you can choose from. Many of these are specially designed to reduce eye strain and increase reading comprehension.

While the x86 version of the new Microsoft Edge becomes generally available on January 15, 2020, Neowin points out that the ARM64 version of the new Edge will not be released at the same time.

Qualcomm announced its new Snapdragon 7c and 8c compute platform chipsets that fall nicely below the flagship Snapdragon 8cx. While the performance of ARM-based chips is still behind Intel's 10th Gen Core processors, it's clear Qualcomm is always pushing forward to compete with Santa Clara's best.

Pricing for the Snapdragon 7c and 8c is going to be critical as, so far, Windows 10 on ARM has mostly been in the premium-tier category. Reported pricing though states that the Snapdragon 7c could hit sub-$400 laptops and that's a big deal for a few reasons.

Pentium Gold? No thanks

Intel struggles at the low-end

I've been quite bullish on Intel's recent moves in for its 10th Gen series of mobile processors. Performance, heat, battery life, and things like building in Thunderbolt 3 have solidified Intel as the go-to chip for premium Ultrabooks.

Intel's Project Athena – where it works closely with manufacturers – is resulting in some outstanding laptops. Both of HP's newest Ultrabooks – the Spectre x360 13 and Elite Dragonfly – push quoted battery lives of 20 or more hours. Even accounting for OEM overestimating real-world 10+ hours is doable while still running a quad-core Core i7 processor. That's magic.

Intel and Microsoft also did a fantastic job with the improved Instant On abilities of Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3. Both devices turn on instantly and seamlessly even now beating Qualcomm ARM-based PCs.

But Intel is still terrible on the low-end. Years of sub-par Atom processors and even last year's odd Pentium Gold have done nothing to slow Apple iPad sales and have had only moderate success at stemming the rise of Chromebooks in U.S. schools.

While the Surface Go looked the part its mediocre performance, and battery life resulted in it being a fun, but still flawed experience. So close, yet so far.

It's more than the US

4G LTE, PCs, and emerging markets

In many emerging markets, a person's first – and only – computer is the smartphone. Home internet and desktop PCs are not a thing. One way to circumvent that, or at least grow that market, is by offering low-cost laptops that also offer native 4G LTE.

If the Snapdragon 7c with its octa-core processor and LTE can be sold in $400-range laptops that's a huge win, Intel certainly doesn't have anything in that range. Even the Surface Go with LTE is priced at $679 without the keyboard.

For those in markets where the internet is mobile-only having a laptop that is always-connected and costs as little as a smartphone opens the door for new possibilities. Whether its coding and developing, or even just education, Qualcomm could push into a market that so far has eluded Intel.

This could happen

Surface Go 2 with ARM?

Turning back to Microsoft Surface Go, the big question for many is if Microsoft will do another version, and if so, what will power it.

If Microsoft offers Snapdragon 7c (and even 8c as an upgrade-SKU) with LTE, it could still be able to hit that $399 starting-cost (laptop costs are hard to define since screen type, resolution, RAM, storage, all play a factor).

The performance will be interesting. I don't expect the Snapdragon 7c to be a massive performer, but all it needs to do is beat the Intel Pentium Gold for price, battery, and performance. That's it. All three of those seem doable. Toss in some thinner bezels and some of that Surface Pro X design magic, and what's not love?

The Pentium Gold 4415Y is only a 1.6GHz dual-core processor limited to DDR3 memory. A Snapdragon 7c is octa-core clocked at 2.45GHz, supports DDR4 and Wi-Fi 6. It will beat out a Pentium Gold, especially on multi-core benchmarks (an older Snapdragon 850 gets double the multi-core compute score of a Pentium Gold already).

Of course, there are the usual hang-ups about Windows 10 on ARM, performance hits from Win32 emulation, and x86-64-bit incompatibility (for now), but considering what $400 PCs are used for these concerns are even less impactful than on premium-tier PCs where the critique holds more water.

Finally, whatever your thoughts on ARM, you can't deny one thing: it is causing competition. Intel's low-cost chips are terrible, but there's no reason why that suddenly can't shift now that Qualcomm is trying to go there. Apple is doing great with ARM on its iPad line, and we should all be rooting for Qualcomm (and AMD) to be making Intel work for your money. Microsoft knows this too. The Surface Go is amazing hardware held back by Intel. Hopefully, history doesn't repeat itself for a Surface Go 2.

What you need to know

• Qualcomm has two new ARM processors for PC.
• The Snapdragon 7c is for entry-level laptops.
• The Snapdragon 8c is for mainstream 2-in-1s.
• Could a Surface Go 2 use the Snapdragon 7c?

Qualcomm and Microsoft's Windows 10 work on the ARM project is currently on its third generation with the Snapdragon 8cx processor (modified for the new Microsoft Surface Pro X and coming to the Samsung Galaxy Book S). But if there's been one thorn in the strategy, it's been price. Windows 10 on ARM PCs have never been low-cost, but that may be about to change.

Qualcomm, today at its annual tech summit in Hawaii, announced the new Snapdragon 7c and Snapdragon 8c compute platforms (Qualcomm also announced the Snapdragon 865 for smartphones). The new chips are meant for entry-level and mid-range PCs, respectively, while the more powerful (and expensive) Snapdragon 8cx remains for top-tier always-connected PCs.

7c Entry-level and 8c mainstream

Windows on ARM: Varying price points, more diversity

The entry-level Snapdragon 7c brings a reported "20 percent boost in system performance and up to twice the battery life" compared to similar Intel systems, but with the added boost of an integrated Snapdragon X15 LTE modem for connectivity.

The Snapdragon 7c is still an octa-core processor, meaning on multi-core tests, it should compete favorably with Intel's quad-core chips. Based on the Kryo 468 CPU, the 7c is also using the Qualcomm Adreno 618 GPU for graphics. Qualcomm claims "incredible battery life in the entry-tier" with the 7c, likely due to the lower CPU performance and power draw.

No modern chipset would be worthy without mention of artificial intelligence (AI) either, and the 7c is no different:

The Snapdragon 8c, meanwhile, is positioned for mainstream laptops – a first for the Windows 10 on ARM project. It's built on the 7nm 8cx platform and delivers a reported 30 percent performance bump over last year's Snapdragon 850. It ships, however, with a more powerful Snapdragon X24 LTE modem with multi-gigabit connectivity instead of the Snapdragon X15 LTE modem for the entry-level Snapdragon 7c.

The Snapdragon 8c also features a more powerful six TOPS to accelerate machine learning applications and AI in Windows 10.

Competition is heating up

Analysis: Surface Go 2, Intel Lakefield and more

While no pricing or availability has been announced for the Snapdragon 8c and 7c chipsets, Qualcomm is clear that they are aimed at mainstream and entry-level notebook PCs competing directly with Intel.

Update 12/6/19: Reported pricing and general availability has now been posted by tech industry analyst Patrick Moorhead: Snapdragon 7c: < $400 including modem (1H/20); Snapdragon 8c: $400-800 including modem (1H/20); Snapdragon 8cx: >$800 including modem (now).

Going by Qualcomm's previous release schedule, it's safe to assume we'll see new laptops and 2-in-1 PCs with these chipsets sometime in mid-2020.

Intel is going hard at premium laptops, especially with its "Project Athena" program focused on optimizing laptops for extended battery life, instant-on, and always-connected scenarios. However, while Intel is doing very well in the premium category, it still struggles in the entry-level arena, as Microsoft's Surface Go with LTE can attest. If priced right, Qualcomm could have a shot at disrupting with entry-level and mainstream PCs that are super thin, light, and fanless while also offering 4G LTE connectivity, instant-on, and long battery life.

One possible contender for the Snapdragon 7c would be a Surface Go 2 for late summer 2020. Microsoft and Qualcomm have not suggested that such a device is happening. Still, the Snapdragon 7c could solve many of the performance and battery issues with the original Intel-based Surface Go. The question is if LTE would be optional, which could help reduce the price to that $399 range. So far, Qualcomm has been resistant to removing LTE except for Microsoft's HoloLens 2 powered by the Snapdragon 850 which skips the 4G connectivity.

Intel, meanwhile, has its upcoming Tremont microarchitecture, which will be featured in its new Lakefield processor slated for early 2020. That chip is going to be featured in the forthcoming Surface Neo dual-screen PC and Samsung's Galaxy Book S variant proving that competition is healthy for the mobile PC market. Lakefield, though, seems priced more along the lines of the Snapdragon 8cx, leaving some wiggle room for Qualcomm at the lower end.

A lot is riding on Qualcomm getting PC makers to adopt its new Snapdragon 7c and 8c chipsets. It will be interesting to see in 2020 if more companies go with Windows 10 on ARM, and if Microsoft and its partners can continue to improve the ARM ecosystem.

What you need to know

• Viscosity now supports Windows 10 on ARM devices.
• The same update also brings a "small additional performance boost to VPN connections."
• Viscosity is available from Sparklabs for $14.

Viscosity now supports Windows 10 on ARM devices, thanks to a new update. The OpenVPN client allows users to manage VPNs easily and is aimed at both seasoned VPN users and beginners to VPNs. The update brings Viscosity to version 1.8.2 and is available on both Windows and macOS.

As outlined by Sparklabs, the makers of Viscosity, this update includes updated versions of OpenVPN (2.4.8) and OpenSSL (1.1.1d). The post states that the Windows version of Viscosity received an overhaul.

The update was shared on Reddit by Reddit user Grumphus256. That post points out that Surface Pro X owners would find it useful. While the Surface Pro X and other Windows 10 on ARM devices can run ARM64 apps and run 32-bit apps through emulation, they have compatibility issues with some pieces of software. The update to Viscosity gives people on these devices another VPN option.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What you need to know

• Microsoft today launched the new Edge browser for ARM PCs in the Canary testing channel.
• A native ARM64 version has been in testing internally for some time, but wasn't available publicly prior to today.
• This release should mean better battery life and performance for Surface Pro X owners, and anyone else with an ARM PC.

After some gentle prodding, Microsoft today released the native ARM64 version of its new Edge browser for testing. Available initially in the Canary channel, the browser should offer better overall performance and battery life for Windows 10 on ARM PCs.

Previously, without a native version of the browser publicly available, ARM PCs could only run the new Edge through emulation, which means the code isn't optimized for the platform. The native ARM64 version of the browser has been in testing for some time internally at Microsoft, so it was puzzling when this version of the browser wasn't released for testing alongside the launch of the Surface Pro X. With its entry into the Canary channe today, that's no longer an issue and it should give Microsoft time to get plenty of feedback on the Dev and Beta channels when it hits them in the coming weeks or months.

The new Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge is set for release on January 15, 2020, on Windows and macOS. It's unclear, for now, whether the ARM version will be a included in that initial launch. However, it's a positive sign that it has officially entered public testing.

You can download the Microsoft Edge Beta, Dev, and Canary channels from the Edge Insider site now.

Black Friday buyer's guide: Windows 10 tablets

What you need to know

• Microsoft is reportedly working on 64-bit (x64) app emulation for Windows 10 on ARM PCs.
• The feature may be aimed for a debut in the first half of 2021.
• Microsoft previously indicated that 64-bit app emulation was not in the cards for ARM PCs.

Microsoft may be working to break down one of the biggest barriers to using Windows 10 on ARM PCs: the inability to run 64-bit (x64) apps. According to a report from Neowin, Microsoft is working on bringing 64-bit app emulation to Windows 10 on ARM, potentially with a debut in a feature update in the first half of 2021.

Currently, Windows 10 on ARM can emulate 32-bit (x86) apps, though that comes with a slight performance hit. There is no current option for emulating 64-bit apps in the same way, prohibiting their use on Windows 10 on ARM PCs. If Microsoft were to add emulation for 64-bit apps, it's likely there would be larger performance impacts than we've seen with 32-bit apps thus far.

Still, this would be a major deal for Microsoft's ARM efforts. Qualcomm is also continuing to push forward with its dedicated ARM chips for PCs, with the latest Snapdragon 8cx making serious strides in improving performance. It's possible that by the time 64-bit app emulation is available, the performance impacts of emulating such apps won't be as noticeable as they would with the current slate of chips.

Windows 10 on ARM had a slow start, with only a few devices hitting the market after its announcement. It still hasn't taken off in a way that could seriously challenge Intel's domination of the PC platform, but Microsoft showed its support for the platform by launching the Surface Pro X this year. The Surface Pro X runs Windows 10 on ARM, powered by the Microsoft SQ1 chip, a customized version of the Snapdragon 8cx.

As Neowin notes, however, there may be some issues beyond performance to think about with 64-bit app emulation. Namely, it's unclear what the default app version will be for ARM devices when you try to install one. Will vendors prefer 32-bit or 64-bit when deciding what to offer any given PC?

If 64-bit app emulation is in the works for ARM PCs, there will be some concerns Microsoft will have to address, but it could ultimately make using one of these PCs less of a hassle for consumers.

Black Friday buyer's guide: Windows 10 laptops

Microsoft is a massive company, and with that sometimes comes inexplicable decisions. Take the Surface Pro X – the company's first real stab at supporting the Windows on ARM architecture in premium hardware. You would think the company would be firing on all cylinders to sell the experience, but as is a familiar tale with the company, there are some bafflingly significant gaffs.

For example, this week, Microsoft made a deserved big deal about its new Edge browser built on the Chromium Project. Moreover, it got a fancy new logo to go with it and – credit where credit is due – it's so far, an outstanding browser worthy of Windows 10 (and iOS, Android, and even Mac).

So why is it that, if you plunk down well over $1,100 for a new Surface Pro X, you can't use an ARM64 version of that Edge browser? Microsoft is clear that it is not shipping a finalized version of the modern Edge until mid-January 2020, so that's understandable. Still, the ARM64 version is not even available as a Canary or Developer build for Insider testing.

For those curious, the Surface Pro X runs regular Windows 10 Home, but it runs that on ARM64 code – which is why it feels as fast as an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 (and it really does). While the custom SQ1 processor co-developed with Qualcomm can run x86 32-bit applications – like the new Edge browser or even Google Chrome – that code is not optimized for the Surface Pro X resulting in slightly worse performance and also a hit on the battery.

What Microsoft needs is a natively compiled version of Edge for ARM64 – and it has one too. Microsoft has one in testing with version 80.0.327.0 being the latest at the time this article goes live (that's the same build as Edge Canary). It gets updated nearly every day and – get this – it runs beautifully on the Surface Pro X (and other Windows on ARM PCs). It's really good – it's fast, smooth, and is great for battery life. But you can't have it, not today.

Microsoft cites undefined "blocking issues" preventing its release to Edge Insiders for testing. I don't doubt that – for instance, the ARM64 browser cannot auto-update itself. But I've been using this ARM64 browser for months now (you can find ways to get it), and I have had no show-stopping bugs – it feels as polished as the Edge Dev releases.

Regardless, Microsoft should have done one of two things here. Either it should have waited to release the Surface Pro X until it could sort out this browser issue in January, or, have the ARM64 version ready for public testing with the Insider releases. The latter is not ideal, but at least tech reviewers could point to it and try it out before lambasting the Surface Pro X.

The reason why this is important is simple. This week I spoke with Aaron Woodman, general manager for Windows marketing, about Edge. By Microsoft's own account, up to 50 percent of a Windows 10 user's time is spent in the browser. Nailing that experience is critical especially on riskier technology like the Surface Pro X.

And the Edge browser is but one example. What about Microsoft Teams? The app comes in 32- or 64-bit variants, with the former working on the Surface Pro X via the emulation layer. Sure, it works, but a Universal Windows Platform (UWP), or even a native ARM64-compiled version, would be much better. The Surface Pro X is geared towards "tech-forward mobile workers" where Microsoft Teams is quite literally the selling point; how is this not even on Microsoft's radar? Why, after more than two years of ARM PCs, is Microsoft still dragging its feet in supporting its own apps and services?

To anyone following Microsoft for years, none of this is surprising – in fact, it's classic Microsoft. That doesn't make it any less frustrating, though. The Surface Pro X is arguably the most innovative hardware this year, but Microsoft is seemingly self-sabotaging with its lackluster ARM64 support. This argument goes back to the UWP days, when the company rarely embraced its own tech. How this is still happening in 2019, even under CEO Satya Nadella's tutelage, is beyond me. And frankly, it's embarrassing.

Come on, Microsoft, get it together.

What you need to know

• Microsoft announced the Surface Pro X at its October Surface event.
• It's the first Surface to run Windows 10 on ARM, and it represents modern overhaul in design.
• Surface Pro X is set to launch on November 5 and is available to preorder now starting at $999.

In addition to updates to the refreshed Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3, Microsoft introduced a new entry to its Surface lineup: Surface Pro X. Whereas the Surface Pro 7 kept things safe with a familiar design, the Surface X represents a major overhaul with a forward-looking design and features.

In a glimpse at what the future may hold for the rest of the Surface Pro line, the Surface Pro X is an impressively thin and light 2-in-1 tablet that carries forward the basics of previous Surface Pros, including the kickstand, but with substantial improvements. Most notably, the bezels on the Surface X have been drastically thinned out compared to the Surface Pro 7. The front of the device looks more akin to Apple's latest iPad Pro, which sports similarly thin bezels.

Aside from the design overhaul, the Surface Pro X is also the first Surface to run Windows 10 on ARM. The device is powered by a custom Microsoft SQ1 mobile chipset based on Qualcomm technology, which is the company's first chip to be geared specifically towards PCs. We've previously heard that the chip should approach Intel Core i5 levels of performance, and it's likely Microsoft has done some work to make sure performance is up to snuff.

We've seen previous Windows 10 on ARM devices claim up to 22 hours of battery life, but Microsoft is claiming around 13.5 hours in average use for the Surface Pro X. Microsoft also claims Surface Pro X has three-times more power-per-watt than the Surface Pro 6.

As for raw specs, the Surface Pro X comes with a 13-inch Pixelsense display at a 2880x1920 resolution (267 PPI). Microsoft has kept the same 3:2 aspect ratio here as well. RAM options come in at 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and storage can be configured from 128GB up to 512GB.

There's LTE on board here, so you'll be able to stay connected on the go. There are also two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (no USB-A here), a Surface Connect port for charging, a 5MP front-facing camera (1080p) and 11MP rear camera (1080p). The whole package weighs in at just over 1.5 pounds.

Perhaps just as interesting as the Surface Pro X itself is its keyboard. The detachable keyboard slots into a port on the bottom of the display, and it includes a dedicated slot for the new Surface Pen just about the number keys. The Surface Pen has been redesigned for the Surface Pro X and can be wirelessly charged while it's in the keyboard cradle.

While this new design is only present on the SurfacePro X for now, this could be an early look at what Microsoft has planned for the future of the Surface lineup in the future. Further, the launch of a Surface device running an ARM processor signals that Microsoft is throwing its full weight behind Windows 10 on ARM.

Here's everything Microsoft announced at its Surface 2019 event

Surface devices have always been intended to represent an example of Microsoft's vision for PCs, serving as a sort of guide for other manufacturers to follow. Windows 10 on ARM has seen a somewhat tepid response from PC manufacturers thus far, so it'll be interesting to see if Surface Pro X spawns more devices of its ilk from the like of HP, Dell, Lenovo, and others.

In the U.S., so far only two PCs have launched with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chipset for an "always-connected PC" (ACPC) experience: Samsung's Galaxy Book2 and the Lenovo Yoga C630. Both devices are great, but a third one is only available in China: Huawei's MateBook E.

I'm in China this week with Huawei, and I managed to get my hands on this 2-in-1 PC. Here are my thoughts.

What you need to know about Huawei MateBook E

The MateBook E is a successor to the original MateBook launched three years ago and sold in the US. Instead of an Intel Core m-series processor, Huawei opted for the Snapdragon 850, which gives it 4G LTE, instant-on abilities and better battery life. The display is the same size and resolution as the Galaxy Book2 – 2160x1440 – but is not AMOLED. However, it does hit 350-nits for brightness and filters out blue light, which can cause eye fatigue.

The keyboard and cover design are reminiscent of the excellent HP Envy x2 with a hinge in the back of the leather case that folds down. Instead of a keyboard that attaches to the lower bezel for angled typing, this lies flat and is less stiff.

The MateBook E is the only ARM PC that ships with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS storage. Most ARM PCs so far have only had 4GB of RAM, with the Yoga C630 being the exception and 256GB of internal storage. The MateBook E also has microSD support to add even more memory. Performance, so far, is also excellent, as that UFS storage nears 1,000MB/s for reads, making it quite zippy for day-to-day use.

The speakers are powerful, with dual-firing ones located on the sides. Each speaker is also pre-amped to provide some extra volume. A built-in fingerprint reader on the side lets you log in without using your password. The 5MP front-facing and 13MP rear-facing AF cameras are also some of the best I've tried on any 2-in-1. That's not a surprise, as Huawei really knows how to do mobile cameras.  

What you will not love about Huawei MateBook E

There are a few things that aren't great about the MateBook E. For eample, it ships with Windows 10 Home Single Language edition (Chinese). That means to convert it to an English-based PC you need to upgrade it to Windows 10 Pro. That's not a complicated process, but it will cost you an extra $99, and that is after you navigate the OS in Chinese – a challenge if you don't have another PC to mirror. The MateBook E is also only sold in China, which makes getting one a bit of a challenge. Most PC and phone shops in Shenzhen stock the device, though, making it quite popular in China.

While there is pen support with the Huawei M Pen Lite, it is not included, which is lame. The fingerprint reader can be a bit finicky, due to the size, but it works most of the time. Huawei uses a Precision touchpad, which is fantastic and the keyboard is quite good, too, but it is not backlit. And due to the floppier nature, the keyboard is not nearly as satisfying as what HP did with the Envy x2 (ARM).  

More to come on MateBook E ...

My first impressions of the MateBook E are quite good. While there are some drawbacks, the overall build quality is outstanding, and the design is great. Dropping in my T-Mobile and AT&T SIMs was straightforward, with no issues, even while in China.

It costs 3,999 Yuan ($577) for the 256GB model or 4,999 Yuan ($710) for the one with 512GB of storage (both have 8GB of RAM). Users looking to import one, however, will have to pay closer to $815 for the 512GB model, due to tariffs.

In the coming weeks, I'll do a deeper dive and video on the MateBook E, as it's a rare bird in the ACPC space.

What you need to know

• The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus has been announced as a successor to the 855.
• Qualcomm's touting improvements for gaming, AI, XR, and 5G.
• CPU clock speed is up to 2.96GHz with a 15% increase for the GPU.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 has proven to be a beast of a chipset, powering devices such as the Galaxy S10 and OnePlus 7 Pro. We have zero complaints with the 855's performance, but in its quest to make phones as fast as possible, Qualcomm's just announced the all-new Snapdragon 855 Plus.

Snapdragon processors are generally associated with smartphones, but several Windows 10 PCs use them. For example, the Lenovo C630 and Samsung Galaxy Book2 both use the Snapdragon 850. Microsoft has continued to improve Windows 10 running on ARM processors, and we expect to see more Snapdragon-powered PCs in the future. Additionally, the HoloLens 2 will run on a Snapdragon 850 processor.

Commenting on the new processor, Qualcomm Vice President and Product Manager, Kedar Kondap, said:

On the CPU side of things, Qualcomm's Kryo 485 will offer clock speeds up to 2.96GHz, while the Adreno 640 GPU will offer a 15% boost for graphics.

In addition to the blazing horsepower, the 855 Plus also comes equipped with a multi-gigabit Snapdragon X24 LTE 4G modem and the X50 modem for 5G connectivity. According to Qualcomm, the 855 Plus will be able to offer, "superior coverage and all-day battery life in premium 5G devices."

Rounding out the list of features for the Snapdragon 855 Plus, Qualcomm is using its 4th generation AI Engine to deliver powerful AI capabilities. Virtual and augmented reality features are also supported and will work hand-in-hand with 5G-powered experiences.

As for when we'll see devices powered by the Snapdragon 855 Plus, we shouldn't have to wait too long. Qualcomm says commercial devices based on the chip will begin shipping the second half of 2019.

The Snapdragon 855 is a benchmarking beast in a year that needs the power

Mozilla has today released the first pre-release build of Firefox for the ARM64 architecture, making it the first third-party browser on Windows 10 to support Windows 10 on ARM natively. Today's release comes in the form of an early nightly build, which is an unfinished, untested, pre-release version of the Firefox web browser.

As such, this isn't an official launch of Firefox for Windows 10 on ARM just yet, but users are welcome to download the latest nightly builds for the ARM64 architecture to give them a whirl and report and bugs that may arise during use. Firefox Nightly is not intended to be used as a daily browser, and Mozilla says that this is especially the case with the ARM64 compiles of Firefox Nightly.

Now that ARM support is being tested in the nightly branch for Firefox, it shouldn't be much longer before we see an official release of Firefox for Windows 10 on ARM. Chromium and Firefox are two web browsers we know are coming to Windows 10 on ARM in the near future, which should improve performance in these browsers when using them on an ARM devices.

Will you be downloading the Firefox Nightly build for Windows 10 on ARM? Let us know in the comments. You can download the Firefox Nightly for ARM64 installer here.

Thanks for the tip, Simon!