Microsoft offering ARM and Intel-based options for the Surface Pro 9 family is an interesting decision.
Several details about Microsoft’s upcoming Surface release have become known as a result of the always-useful regulatory filing with the FCC. Cellular connectivity has been approved for the Surface Pro 9. The Surface Pro 9 will directly succeed the then-state-of-the-art Surface Pro X, which was powered by an ARM processor, in addition to building on the success of the Surface Pro 8.
“The Surface Pro 9 may have built-in 5G connectivity, Bluetooth 5, and Wi-Fi 6, per FCC listing C3K1997. The listing’s explicit mention of “multi-band 5G NR, 802.11b/g/n/ax WLAN” confirms our suspicion that the company’s upcoming hardware will support 5G technology.”
The Surface Pro 8, which only offered 4G LTE as an option for some models, would definitely advance with the addition of 5G connectivity. Those who spend a lot of time working outside the office will appreciate the transition to 5G.
Additionally, it stands out as distinct from Apple’s Mac platform, which does not currently support cellular options.
The inclusion of “Qualcomm’s Smart Transmit 3.0” in the FCC filing, however, is the biggest development of all. With one exception, all of the Surface Pro models run Intel chipsets, and the cellular connections make use of Intel-based modems. The Surface Pro X is the lone exception, as it used Qualcomm modems in addition to a Qualcomm processor.
The ARM-based Qualcomm processor
In contrast to Apple, which is able to design a unique ARM-based chipset for a very specific hardware configuration, Windows must take into account a much larger number of combinations, from potentially a much larger number of partners, over a variety of chipsets. Although the current Windows ARM devices, most notably the Surface Pro X from 2019, cannot compete with Apple Silicon in terms of raw performance, they do share the same benefits of battery life, instant-on, and enhanced connectivity.
What hasn’t happened is a significant improvement over the Pro X. A large portion of this can be attributed to Qualcomm and the industry’s impatience for the upcoming batch of ARM-based Windows chips. A new generation of ARM-based Windows machines should be prepared to sail alongside the more prevalent Intel-based machines once the SnapDragon 8cx Gen 3 is available for shipping.
It’s interesting that Microsoft chose to provide the Surface Pro 9 family with both ARM- and Intel-based options. The adoption of ARM in popular devices is the result that will have the biggest impact. Despite having the branding, the Surface Pro X was marketed as a “X” machine rather than a numerical machine. That experimental halo will be taken off.
Windows on ARM is prepared to take off. It will be welcomed back to the main stage by the Surface Pro 9.
