Windows is Coming to ARM Processors, ARM Processors are coming to PCs

In a private event leading up to tonight’s keynote at CES, Microsoft announced something that may forever change the way we think of Windows computing: the next version of Windows, codenamed Windows.NEXT, will be compatible with ARM’s processors. For those of you who don’t know, ARM processors power devices like smartphones and media tablets and use much less energy than a traditional processor.  This is the first time that Microsoft is allowing anything other than Intel/AMD x86 processors to run on Windows.

Unfortunately, there are some problems that may hinder the adoption of Windows on ARM devices. First of all, legacy x86 programs, the main reason why most companies use Windows, will not work with ARM processors. Also, manufactures will have to totally rewrite drivers. That means that your old printer probably won’t work with your future Windows tablet. Interestingly, Microsoft wasn’t only talking about tablets. Their current solution for ARM devices, Windows Embedded, is the operating systems for most ATM’s and other integrated devices. This announcement makes me wonder if Microsoft plans on discontinuing Windows Embedded.

In other news, NVIDIA announced that they are developing ARM processors for personal computers. Called Project Denver, this is NVIDIA’s latest foray into traditionally Intel dominated markets. It has been rumored for a while that NVIDIA would enter the PC CPU market, which is very different from the mobile Tegra chips NVIDIA already makes. It is unknown if Microsoft’s announcement was because of NIVIDIA’s. What is known, however, is that the PC landscape is going to experience some pretty huge changes.

Partners in Microsoft’s announcement included Qualcomm, NIVIDIA, and Texas Instruments.

Note: We used a number of sources including:  Windows8Beta and two Engadget posts. | Image Source: WinReview