Windows 10 on ARM still on track for Q4 2017, but not all OEMs will make it
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There hasn’t been a lot of talk around Windows 10 on ARM lately. Microsoft and some of its OEM partners promised to release new Always Connected PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processors later this year, but in the absence of news, a lot of people have asked me about the status of those devices recently.
With two of the major features of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update not making it in time for the public release, some wondered whether Microsoft will be able to get Windows 10 on ARM ready for the holiday season. Especially with Intel’s recent complaints, the situation looked quite tricky for Redmond.
The good news is that Microsoft and some of its OEM partners are on track for a Q4 2017 release. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to me that Windows 10 on devices powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors will be available later this year as promised:
“We are on track to see Windows 10 on Snapdragon devices become available this year as previously shared. Microsoft and Qualcomm continue to work closely with our OEM partners ASUS, HP and Lenovo in bringing Always Connected devices featuring always-on LTE connectivity and great battery life to market.”
But there’s a catch, though: not all OEMs might make it in time for the holiday season. Microsoft and Qualcomm announced earlier this year that they are working with ASUS, HP, and Lenovo to bring the new Snapdragon-powered devices later this year. However, Lenovo says its Always Connected PC won’t be available until early 2018. In fact, the company claims it never promised to launch its own Windows 10 PC powered by the Snapdragon 835 later this year and expects to launch it in early 2018 instead. A Lenovo spokesperson said:
“Lenovo’s plans regarding ‘Always Connected PC’ devices remain on track with expected arrival early in 2018. There was some speculation after Qualcomm announced their OEM partners, including Lenovo, that Lenovo would be the first to market. We have never made this claim and we are on track for a scheduled announce early in 2018.”
Both HP and ASUS declined to comment.
Microsoft has extensively demoed Windows on ARM in the past, and I’m told the company is currently working on improving the performance of the x86 emulation further at the moment. It won’t be too long until we start getting more information about the upcoming Always Connected PCs, and with Microsoft’s IFA keynote happening tomorrow, we might get to know more in the next 24 hours.
