Much has been made of Microsoft’s Windows 10 on ARM push. The company wants laptops to have longer battery life, while it could also have ramification for mobile plans in the future. Google also runs Chromebooks with ARM processors and now Apple apparently wants to join the party.
DigiTimes reports Cupertino is exploring MacBook adoption of ARM. Specifically, Apple is working on an ARM powered MacBook that is being developed under the codename Star.
Apple has been running its MacBook hardware on Intel processors since moving from PowerPC in 2006. What’s interesting about the company’s ARM plans is that Apple makes its own processors.
Microsoft teamed with Qualcomm for its Windows 10 on ARM, using the company’s Snapdragon processors. Apple currently makes its own CPUs for all products, so will it continue that trend with ARM integration?
This story has emerged at the right time considering Apple’s WWDC kicks off next week. We expect to hear something official about the company’s ARM MacBook plans at the developer conference.
Microsoft’s ARM Progress
Just yesterday we reported on a problem with Windows 10 Always Connected PCs. The first Windows 10 on ARM hardware launched recently, but is already close to being obsolete.
Qualcomm is soon to announce the Snapdragon 845, the successor to the Snapdragon 835 that runs in current Always Connected PCs.
Essentially this means the processor for the next generation of Windows 10 on ARM devices is ready. It is unlikely manufacturers will release new devices just months after launching gen one hardware. However, the situation does throw up an interesting aspect of the Always Connected PC concept.
Microsoft has recently had to distance itself from ARM-powered Always Connected PCs. The hardware arrived late and has been poorly received by reviewers and early adopters.
