Currently, Qualcomm Inc. is the only major chipmaker that develops Arm-based processors for Windows machines, but its exclusivity arrangement with Microsoft expires in 2024. Nvidia and AMD reportedly plan to launch their Arm-based CPUs as soon as 2025. Microsoft is encouraging potential Qualcomm rivals to build their own Arm-based PC chips, with the goal of developing Windows computers with similar efficiency as Apple's Macs, which use internally-developed chips based on Arm designs.
Key takeaways:
- Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. are reportedly developing new central processing units for Windows computers based on blueprints from Arm Holdings plc.
- Nvidia's new chip could give the company access to a large market where it currently doesn’t have a presence, while AMD's motivation is less clear as it already offers two separate lines of PC processors.
- Qualcomm Inc. is currently the only major chipmaker that develops Arm-based processors for Windows machines, but Nvidia and AMD plan to launch their Arm-based CPUs as soon as 2025.
- Microsoft is reportedly encouraging chipmakers to equip their Arm-based PC processors with “advanced AI features” in a bid to develop Windows computers with similar efficiency as Apple Inc.’s Macs.