HomeWinBuzzer NewsThe Microsoft Surface Go Was Allegedly an ARM Device before Intel Intervened

The Microsoft Surface Go Was Allegedly an ARM Device before Intel Intervened

After significant lobbying by Intel, Microsoft reportedly axed its plans to position the Surface Go as an Always Connected PC, sacrificing battery life for significantly better performance.

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A new report suggests that 's was very nearly an ARM device. According to Thurrott, Intel “petitioned Microsoft heavily”, to use Pentium Gold, and it caved.

It's unclear what Intel said to convince Microsoft, or if any discounts were involved. However, ARM processors on Windows are very much in their infancy, and unable to offer the same degree of performance. There are a number of reasons to miss ARM currently beyond Intel's push.

Still, we can't help but imagine the battery life improvements ARM would bring. The Surface Go touts a measly 9 hours next to the 20 hours of Always Connected PCs. For students, that could prove more useful, but an Intel processor does cast a wider net.

Ultimately, it was probably the right move, the Surface Go receiving favorable reviews. With Intel, the 2-in-1 is able to provide significantly more apps than competitors like the iPad Pro once upgraded from its default Windows 10 S mode.

Windows 10 ARM is in Its Infancy

However, with stronger Qualcomm chips coming next year, that may not remain the case. The Snapdragon 850 could power a big leap, though initial benchmarks have failed to impress.

More interesting are the reports of a Snapdragon 1000, which is described as an ultrabook-tier processor for Always Connected PCs. It's not clear when the chip would launch, but it could finally bring on ARM to a level many consumers are comfortable with.

Whether Microsoft will implement it in future hardware is another question, but with more and more hints of a foldable device surfacing, we could soon find out.

Last Updated on April 9, 2020 11:35 am CEST by Ryan Maskell

Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.

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