Microsoft Confirms: ARM-Based Systems Will Not Run x86 Applications

From X-bit Labs: Microsoft Corp. admitted that systems based on ARM system-on-chip devices and running Windows 8 will not be able to run applications written for x86 microprocessors. Without emulation of x86 technology and compatibility with existing software, Windows 8/ARM PCs will not be able to compete against systems featuring traditional processors and compatible with popular programs.

“We've been very clear since the very first CES demos and forward that the ARM product won't run any x86 applications. We've done a bunch of work to enable that – enable a great experience there, particularly around devices and device drivers. We built a great deal of what we call class drivers, with the ability to run all sorts of printers and peripherals out of the box with the ARM version. […] When you write a Metro style application, all the tools are there to enable you in any of the languages that we support to automatically support ARM or x86,” said Steven Sinofsky, the president of Windows and Windows Live division at Microsoft, during the company’s Financial Analyst Meeting.

Earlier it was believed that at least some traditional applications for Windows will work on Windows 8/ARM-based personal computers and tablets. Nonetheless, it looks like only certain apps will be compatible with devices powered by SoCs like Nvidia Tegra or Qualcomm Snapdragon. Naturally, without ability to run serious programs for Windows, ARM SoCs will be unable to compete on the market of desktops and high-end notebooks.

Microsoft claims that it is natural for ARM-based gadgets to work with Metro-style applications since neither the hardware nor the software were designed for intensive work. Moreover, demanding applications or ARM-powered systems may lead to substantially shorter battery life, which will decrease their value for end-users.

[Windows] is constantly working to let innovations in hardware shine through in the operating system so that they all can show their uniqueness. […] If we allow the world of X86 application support like that, or based on what we call desktop apps in our start yesterday, then there are real challenges in some of the value proposition for system-on-a-chip, you know, will battery life be as good, for example? Well, those applications aren't written to be really great in the face of limited battery constraints, which is a value proposition of the Metro style apps. We have to be careful that we don't remove the value proposition for those applications. On the other hand, people would say, oh, but you have to let them run because then there's that whole ecosystem. And then if we do let them run, we just brought the perceived negatives of some of the ecosystem. So, people say, great, now it's easy to port viruses and malware and we'll port those,” explained Mr. Sinofsky.

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