Arm architecture is steadily improving for Windows 11 and Microsoft’s 7th generation Surface Laptop is showing the way. The Surface Laptop improves on the previous models by using a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip that enhances the system’s performance, power efficiency and offers amazing battery life but the process of fully optimizing ARM is still ongoing. The new Surface Laptop also reveals how far Windows 11 has come on ARM, and it has a 15.6 inch PixelSense Flow display and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip. For those looking for a more compact model, the 13.8 inch model comes with a Snapdragon X Plus. The 7th generation Surface Laptop is better than its Intel and AMD counterparts in many ways including being quieter, cooler and more efficient, even when used for tasks that require a lot of resources such as photo editing in Adobe Photoshop. However, there are challenges with app compatibility when it comes to Windows 11 on ARM. While typical apps like Chrome, Zoom, and Photoshop work without a hitch, other software, including Adobe Premiere Pro, performs poorly when using Prism emulation, resulting in poor performance and quicker battery drain. This is because the user needs to check whether the key software that they require has support for ARM before making the switch. In terms of AI, the Hexagon NPU of Qualcomm is capable of performing 45 trillion operations per second, which is sufficient for the Copilot+ PC configuration. AI capabilities of Windows 11 are also being integrated throughout its ecosystem and the tools like Microsoft 365 are also getting better. The battery life is also excellent as the Surface Laptop can last between 12 to 15 hours on a single charge which is great for long work sessions. However, there are some problems with the design, such as the absence of the right-side USB-C ports and the uncomfortable touchpad location. While Windows 11 on ARM has come a long way, it is not yet ready for prime time. It is a sign of the future, but the Surface Laptop shows that users should think twice about when to fully embrace it because of the issues with app compatibility.
Laptop Marks Progress, But Challenges Remain
