Microsoft revealed its Windows on Arm initiative back in 2017, which brought full-fledged Windows 10 to laptops powered by Snapdragon Arm processors. The initiative has slowly been gaining steam since then, with numerous brands launching Windows on Arm laptops.
Arm-powered computing took a major step up this week when Apple revealed its first Mac computers powered by its in-house Apple Silicon. These chips are based on Arm architecture too and, much like Windows on Arm laptops, Apple is promising major efficiency gains as a result.
All of these developments got us wondering whether Android Authority readers would buy an Arm-powered computer. This is what you told us.
Would you buy an Arm-powered computer?
Results
We posted the poll on November 10 2020, and 1,252 votes were cast. Just over 29% of respondents noted that they’d buy an Arm computer, compared to 18.2% of voters saying they wouldn’t buy one.
But a huge chunk of respondents (32.3%) noted that they’d consider buying an Arm computer if performance improves. Meanwhile, 20.1% of voters felt that price was a major consideration before putting their money down. In other words, over 50% of respondents are open to buying an Arm computer if it offers improved performance and more attractive pricing.
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Performance concerns are definitely understandable though. Both Apple and Windows Arm computers can run native Arm apps at a brisk pace, while Apple’s M1 chip is looking like a beast. But both platforms rely on emulation to run x64 applications, which comes at the cost of performance though. Fortunately, we’re expecting more third-party developers to develop native Arm versions of their apps now that Apple is on board.
Pricing is another understandable factor for respondents too, as both Apple and Windows OEMs are charging a considerable amount for Arm laptops. Both Apple and Windows OEMs deliver Arm laptops from ~$1,000. Apple does offer the Mac Mini desktop machine for $699 (cheaper than the Intel Mac Mini), but a major part of the Arm appeal is having plenty of battery life.
Arm computers are still in the early stages of development then, and they won’t be for everyone (e.g. gamers or hardware tinkerers) just yet, but it does look like plenty of people are willing to consider them.
Thanks for voting in our poll! What do you make of the results? Would you buy an Arm computer? Let us know in the comments section below!
