Exiting x86: Apple & Microsoft Embrace Arm-based PC

Apple and Microsoft are exiting x86 for PCs. Apple has been using x86 for 15 years, and Microsoft for 30+. Tim Cook announced the transition to the Arm-based PC at WWDC20 for the macOS and said it would complete the process by 2021. Microsoft is investing in Arm-based PC chips and PCs for Windows and is planning to remove the software migration barriers by 2021.

The primary reasons for this transition are lower costs, a reduction in power requirements, and a common platform enabling applications to run on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. In turn, this universal platform will enable faster adoption of software and hardware innovations, and lead to higher productivity for the end-users.

Both Apple and Microsoft want to reverse the steady decline in PC shipments and see PC growth again. Both want to sell additional software and services to the Arm-based PC. Also, both platforms will be supporting x86 PCs for a long time.

Any transition is a big and risky business decision. However, this research concludes that the likely benefits of moving are worth the transition execution risk for Apple and Microsoft. Wikibon projects an initial gradual adoption of the Arm-based PC, accelerating over the rest of the decade. Also, Wikibon sees a significant increase in overall PC shipments over the second half of this decade.

Sensor control at the Edge is dominated by Arm-based technologies. As a result, a PC vendor pivot to an Arm-based PC will also greatly improve and complement any Edge vendor strategy.

Senior Enterprise IT and business executives should ensure that their PC suppliers have an aggressive Arm-based PC program. These executives should include in the business case that the Arm-based PC will improve end-user productivity and reduce time to action.

Exiting x86: Apple & Microsoft Embrace Arm-based PC

Apple and Microsoft are exiting x86 for PCs. Apple has been using x86 for 15 years, and Microsoft for 30+. Tim Cook announced the transition to the Arm-based PC at WWDC20 for the macOS and said it would complete the process by 2021. Microsoft is investing in Arm-based PC chips and PCs for Windows and is planning to remove the software migration barriers by 2021.

The primary reasons for this transition are lower costs, a reduction in power requirements, and a common platform enabling applications to run on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. In turn, this universal platform will enable faster adoption of software and hardware innovations, and lead to higher productivity for the end-users.

Both Apple and Microsoft want to reverse the steady decline in PC shipments and see PC growth again. Both want to sell additional software and services to the Arm-based PC. Also, both platforms will be supporting x86 PCs for a long time.

Any transition is a big and risky business decision. However, this research concludes that the likely benefits of moving are worth the transition execution risk for Apple and Microsoft. Wikibon projects an initial gradual adoption of the Arm-based PC, accelerating over the rest of the decade. Also, Wikibon sees a significant increase in overall PC shipments over the second half of this decade.

Sensor control at the Edge is dominated by Arm-based technologies. As a result, a PC vendor pivot to an Arm-based PC will also greatly improve and complement any Edge vendor strategy.

Senior Enterprise IT and business executives should ensure that their PC suppliers have an aggressive Arm-based PC program. These executives should include in the business case that the Arm-based PC will improve end-user productivity and reduce time to action.