Introduction
In the past few months, there has been a lot of buzz around the new generation of ARM based laptops that promise to deliver high performance, long battery life, and always-on connectivity. Microsoft and several key laptop vendors have announced their plans to launch new devices based on the ARM architecture, such as the Microsoft Copilot+ and the Snapdragon X Plus laptops. These devices are expected to hit the market later this year or early next year.
For companies though, we need to be aware of the potential opportunities and challenges that these new devices pose for our IT environment. In this post, I will provide an overview of the ARM based laptops, their advantages and disadvantages, and how we should approach them in our catalogue roadmap.
What are ARM based laptops?
ARM based laptops are laptops that use processors based on the ARM architecture, which is different from the traditional x86 architecture that powers most of the laptops and desktops we use today. ARM processors are designed to be more energy efficient, which means they can run longer on battery power and generate less heat. They also support cellular connectivity, which means they can access the internet without relying on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
ARM processors are widely used in smartphones and tablets, but they have not been very popular in laptops until recently. This is because most of the applications and operating systems that we use on laptops are optimized for x86 processors, and they may not run well or at all on ARM processors. However, this is changing as Microsoft and other software developers are working to make their products compatible with ARM processors. For example, Microsoft has released a version of Windows 10 that can run on ARM processors, and it has also developed a technology called Windows on ARM (WoA) that can emulate x86 applications on ARM devices.
What are the advantages of ARM based laptops?
ARM based laptops offer some significant advantages over x86 based laptops, especially for mobile users who need to work on the go. Some of the main benefits are:
· Longer battery life: ARM based laptops can last up to 20 hours or more on a single charge, compared to the average 10 hours or less for x86 based laptops. This means users can work longer without worrying about finding a power outlet or carrying a charger.
· Lighter and thinner design: ARM based laptops can be designed to be lighter and thinner than x86 based laptops, because they do not need fans or large batteries. This means users can carry them more easily and comfortably.
· Always-on connectivity: ARM based laptops can support cellular connectivity, which means users can access the internet anywhere they have a cellular signal, without relying on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This means users can stay connected and productive even in remote or low-coverage areas.
· Instant on: ARM based laptops can resume from sleep or hibernation in seconds, compared to the minutes it may take for x86 based laptops. This means users can start working right away without waiting for their devices to boot up.
· Enhanced AI capabilities: ARM based laptops can leverage the new Snapdragon X Plus processors, which have a dedicated AI engine that can perform up to 15 trillion operations per second. This means users can benefit from faster and smarter AI applications, such as speech recognition, natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning. This can improve the user experience, productivity, and innovation of our enterprise.
What are the disadvantages of ARM based laptops?
ARM based laptops also have some drawbacks that we need to be aware of and address before we adopt them in our enterprise. Some of the main challenges are:
· App compatibility: Not all of the applications that we use on x86 based laptops are compatible with ARM based laptops. Some applications may not run at all, some may run slower or with reduced functionality, and some may require emulation, which can affect performance and battery life. We need to assess the compatibility of our critical applications and identify any gaps or issues that may affect our users.
· Device management: ARM based laptops may require different or additional tools and policies for device management, security, and compliance. For example, we may need to update our device enrollment, configuration, patching, and monitoring processes to support ARM based laptops. We may also need to review our security and compliance standards and ensure that ARM based laptops meet them.
· User education: ARM based laptops may have different features and behaviors than x86 based laptops, which may confuse or frustrate our users. For example, users may not be able to install or run some of their favorite applications, or they may experience slower performance or reduced functionality for some applications. We need to educate our users about the benefits and limitations of ARM based laptops and provide them with the necessary support and guidance.
How should we approach ARM based laptops in our catalogue roadmap?
Given the advantages and disadvantages of ARM based laptops, we should not rush to adopt them in our enterprise, but we should also not ignore them. We should take a balanced and strategic approach that considers our business needs, user preferences, and IT capabilities. Here are some steps that we should take:
· Conduct a pilot program: We should select a small group of users who can benefit from the features of ARM based laptops, such as frequent travelers, field workers, or remote workers. We should provide them with ARM based laptops and collect their feedback on the usability, performance, and satisfaction of the devices. We should also monitor the device management, security, and compliance of the devices and identify any issues or gaps that need to be addressed.
· Evaluate the results: We should analyze the data and feedback from the pilot program and evaluate the benefits and challenges of ARM based laptops. We should compare the ARM based laptops with the x86 based laptops that we currently use and determine the cost, value, and return on investment of each option. We should also consider the future trends and developments of the ARM based laptop market and how they may affect our decision.
· Develop a roadmap: Based on the evaluation, we should develop a roadmap for the adoption of ARM based laptops in our enterprise. We should identify the specific use cases and scenarios where ARM based laptops can provide the most value and benefit for our users and business. We should also define the criteria and requirements for the selection, procurement, deployment, and support of ARM based laptops. We should also plan for the transition and migration of our users and applications from x86 based laptops to ARM based laptops.
Conclusion
ARM based laptops are an emerging and promising technology that can offer some significant advantages for our enterprise, especially for our mobile users. However, they also pose some challenges and risks that we need to be cautious and prepared for. We should not adopt them blindly or hastily, but we should also not dismiss them or fall behind. We should take a balanced and strategic approach that considers our business needs, user preferences, and IT capabilities. We should conduct a pilot program, evaluate the results, and develop a roadmap for the adoption of ARM based laptops in our enterprise.
I hope this memo provides you with some useful information and insights on the topic of ARM based laptops. I welcome your feedback and suggestions on how we can best leverage this technology for our enterprise. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.