Windows Arm PCs could be SO much better - Video Insight
Windows Arm PCs could be SO much better - Video Insight
Jeff Geerling
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The video explores the Snapdragon X developer kit's potential versus Apple’s M series, critiquing Windows on ARM's performance while praising Linux's efficiency.

This video discusses the Qualcomm Snapdragon X developer kit and its potential positioning against Apple's M series, while highlighting the inadequacies of Windows on ARM in comparison to Linux's performance capabilities. The speaker shares personal experiences with pre-ordering the Snapdragon X, the initial excitement followed by frustration over shipping timelines, and critical reflections on Microsoft's handling of Windows for ARM devices, including rampant issues like lack of driver support, built-in ads, and bloatware. Moreover, the video presents an optimistic caution regarding the future of Windows on ARM despite its current shortcomings, contrasting it with the impressive performance of ARM architecture on Linux and the potential for future improvements, driven by partnerships like that with Linaro.


Content rate: B

The video provides a good amount of insight into the Snapdragon X developer kit and the current state of Windows on ARM vs. Linux, although it leans heavily on personal experiences and opinions, particularly regarding the performance and potential of both systems.

Qualcomm Windows ARM Linux Development

Claims:

Claim: The Snapdragon X developer kit will be a significant development for Windows devices, similar to Apple's M series impact.

Evidence: Promotional materials and discussions surrounding the Snapdragon X suggest it will offer improvements over previous ARM offerings.

Counter evidence: Despite the hype, actual device performance and user experiences indicate that it may not deliver on expectations as users face compatibility challenges.

Claim rating: 4 / 10

Claim: Windows on ARM has significant driver support issues which hinder its usability.

Evidence: The speaker states that there aren't native GPU drivers or high-speed networking drivers for Windows on ARM, leading to a poor experience.

Counter evidence: Some users may have found workarounds or started to report improvements as OEMs and developers begin addressing these concerns.

Claim rating: 7 / 10

Claim: Linux is currently a more viable platform for ARM architecture than Windows on ARM.

Evidence: The speaker provides anecdotal evidence of Linux's performance on ARM, noting successful installations and hardware compatibility without the issues present in Windows on ARM.

Counter evidence: Some users may argue that legacy Windows applications are a compelling reason to stick to Windows, despite its limitations on ARM.

Claim rating: 9 / 10

Model version: 0.25 ,chatGPT:gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

### Key Facts and Information: 1. **Qualcomm Snapdragon X Dev Kit**: - Marketed as a potential "Mac Mini killer" for Windows developers. - Initial pre-order price was $899, with a release date set for June 18. - Sold out within minutes when first released. 2. **Current Status**: - Limited stock availability; some customers received notifications about shipping in 2026. - Community skepticism about its marketing claims compared to Apple’s successful M series. 3. **Developer Ecosystem**: - The existing development experience for the Snapdragon X is considered poor. - Issues include lack of driver support and a hindrance in developing native applications for Windows on ARM. 4. **Windows on ARM Challenges**: - Previous efforts with Windows RT and older Snapdragon devices have had mixed results. - Fragmented driver landscape; users face compatibility issues with hardware and software. 5. **Performance Comparison**: - Apple’s M series significantly outperforms Qualcomm’s offerings, especially in terms of efficiency, battery life, and performance. - Windows on ARM struggles with gaming compatibility; many games that run on Linux ARM face issues on Windows devices. 6. **Linux on ARM**: - Linux has developed strong support for ARM architecture, making it viable for certain workloads. - Tools like Box86/Box64 and Proton have improved gaming performance on ARM Linux systems. 7. **Custom ARM Systems**: - The author uses a custom ARM PC with an Ampere Ultra Max CPU, achieving high performance with Linux for gaming. - Despite powerful hardware, some software does not leverage the full core count effectively. 8. **Future Prospects**: - There’s hope for better ARM hardware compatibilities, but significant improvement is needed in Windows driver support. - The author advocates for more Linux-focused development on platforms like Snapdragon X. 9. **General Sentiment**: - Mixed feelings about Qualcomm's commitment to Linux and ARM; some believe it's hindered by their partnership with Microsoft. - Users hope for better options in the mid-range ARM market to compete with Intel and AMD. 10. **Conclusion**: - Microsoft needs to expand its approach on Windows ARM, increasing driver support and improving the overall ecosystem to enhance user experience and developer potential.