Microsoft’s latest win over Windows 10 comes from an unlikely source … Apple

With the launch of the M1 processor and the inclusion of ARM-based silicon in the new MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs, Apple has done more than set up the Mac for a new sprout. This helped Microsoft to join him. The Surface Pro X has seen its processor updated this year, and Windows 10 on ARM can expect to get a significant boost thanks to Apple’s decisions.

First and foremost, and perhaps the biggest influence on the reputation of the Pro X, is the lack of not only killer apps, but key apps that many use.

Many Surface Pro X reviews included a list of apps that the reviewer said were critical that wouldn’t work natively on Microsoft’s ARM platform or that would only run under emulation with the associated impact on performance and battery life. And yes, I look at everyone who wanted Photoshop.

Although Adobe was on stage when the Pro X launched in 2019, it wasn’t until November 2020 that one of the creative cloud apps launched as ARM native apps. The fact that Photoshop appeared in beta for the macOS and Windows 10 ARM platforms just days after the launch of the first ARM-based MacBooks will have been noticed by many.

Compared to the rest of Windows 10, the bulk of ARM devices like the Surface Pro X is minimal. Compare that with Apple’s “ all-inclusive ” movement, which will see every new Mac run on the ARM family which is marketed as “ Apple Silicon ”. Working with the former can be considered a passionate project, working with the latter is a necessity.

And this significant push from Apple, like a line of dominoes, will also support Windows 10 on ARM.

I’m intrigued to see what Google’s next step will be. With so many services dependent on Chrome, it’s in its best interest to have Chrome available for as many platforms as possible. Currently there are no native ARM builds for macOS or Windows 10… ish.

Chrome browser building blocks are available for ARM. Microsoft’s Edge browser is built around Chromium, the open source software project sponsored by Google. The Chromium Browser Project also has regular ARM versions that allow you to install the Chromium Browser directly (contrary to popular belief, you can install ARM apps from outside the Windows Store).

Chrome for Apple Silicon appeared briefly last week before being pulled over technical issues. No doubt he will return. I doubt Google wants to leave Windows 10 on ARM without its own browser while still covering Apple’s ARM ambitions.

It is much harder to ignore two major platforms running on ARM than a smaller subset of a platform. With Apple in the room, Microsoft will get a lot more attention.

And then there is the hardware itself. Consumers may not delve into the detailed benchmarking or chip specs, but they understand that a laptop will have more battery life, be lighter, and run “ longer. quickly ”. Apple certainly got this message with the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro machines. Putting Microsoft’s Surface family aside for now (although it can offer two to three hours more than Intel-based Surface Pro), the likes of Dell, Lenovo, and HP are all going to examine the reaction to the new Macs.

While they can’t commit to switching products the Apple way, they will certainly be able to introduce ARM variants, or potentially a new line of ARM machines that will offer the same benefits as Intel machines. Which will create a virtuous cycle of more ARM machines.

Microsoft led the way last year in its own way. Now Apple, with all its glory and circumstances behind the new machines, has not only legitimized Mcirosoft’s decision, but created a friendly rivalry that should push both ARM platforms to new heights. After all, these are just the first iterations from the two companies.

Now read more about the killer software launched for the Surface Pro X this week …