The transition from Windows PCs to ARM architecture, which was supposed to revolutionize the laptop market, is off to a difficult start, to say the least. The recent figures published by Canalys are clear: only 720,000 PCs equipped with a Snapdragon Apple in its transition to ARM architecture.
A fragile ecosystem despite promising performance
However, the Snapdragon X PCs do not lack advantages on paper. The tests show satisfactory performance in multi-core computing, particularly in benchmarks such as Cinebench 2024. The chip shines in particular in artificial intelligence tasks thanks to its efficient NPU (Neural Processing Unit), an argument put forward by Microsoft with its certification Copilot+.
However, the reality on the ground reveals numerous weaknesses. Performance proves disappointing on daily tasks such as video encoding, while autonomy does not keep its promises compared to the MacBook Air M3 which displays 40% more endurance. The exclusively premium pricing positioning, with prices starting above €1000, considerably limits the accessibility of these machines. And seriously, who wants to spend a minimum wage on an experimental Windows machine when the Mac exists?
Software compatibility is another major downside. The case of printers is particularly revealing: according to several European resellers, the return rate of Snapdragon X PCs reaches 50%, mainly due to compatibility problems with printers. The majority of manufacturers, like Brother, have not developed ARM drivers for their devices, even recent ones, creating a particularly frustrating situation for users. Apple still has a bright future ahead of it with AirPrint.
The structural challenges of a complex transition
he current situation highlights fundamental obstacles that Microsoft and Qualcomm are struggling to overcome. The emulation of x86 applications remains largely perfectible. While Apple developed Rosetta 2 to achieve 85% of native performance, Windows emulation on ARM caps at around 50% of original performance, considerably limiting the interest of these machines for users needing traditional applications.
Native development also suffers from serious shortcomings. Qualcomm’s recent cancellation of the Snapdragon This decision contrasts sharply with Apple’s approach, which had provided development kits three months before the launch of the first M1 Macs, allowing developers to calmly prepare for the transition.
AI as a new lease of life
Faced with these difficulties, the industry is now banking on artificial intelligence as a differentiating argument. The figures are encouraging: “AI Ready” PCs already represent 20% of total shipments in the last quarter of 2024, with 13.3 million units sold. Microsoft is pushing its Copilot+ certification to standardize performance in artificial intelligence. The idea is obviously to compete strongly with Apple Intelligence in the sector but also with Google which offers Gemini in the cloud within its Chromebooks.
However, this advantage could be short-lived. The arrival of the new Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI chips, integrating NPUs with comparable performance, risks quickly eroding the appeal of the Snapdragon X in this area. These x86 processors also promise better compatibility with existing systems, while offering similar AI performance.
For the Windows ARM platform to truly take off, a profound overhaul of the approach seems necessary. Microsoft should consider democratizing prices to facilitate the adoption of these machines, while significantly strengthening support for developers. While waiting for these developments, Apple’s domination of the ARM computer segment seems set to last. This situation demonstrates that a successful architectural transition requires much more than simple technical prowess: it is an entire ecosystem that must evolve together, a lesson that Microsoft and Qualcomm are learning the hard way.
