this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2024
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So I know ARM is different from x86 but what makes it worth switching over to?
Primarily, the main advantage that ARM tends to have over x86 is WAY better power efficiency.
Apple’s implementation is also comparably powerful to x86 in most meaningful benchmarks, and they’ve also married their CPUs with extensive vertical integration in both hardware and software, which imo is where Apple finds a lot of their performance and efficiency benefits.
Microsoft and Qualcomm and whatever system integrator builds whatever laptop you’re buying simply aren’t going to have that level of integration… so I’m pressing X to doubt.
I've heard the power efficiency is less "unique to ARM" and more due to different performance priorities of current x86 designs. The Apple M-series targets a different power/performance tradeoff than Intel and AMD.
Recent Ryzens, for example, often can be set in an "Eco mode" for, say, 80% of the performance at 50% of the energy usage, just by tweaking clocks and voltages. A full-out efficient design x86 could probab;y do even better.
It doesn't run today's Windows applications 👍
ARM is a system on a chip. It's significantly more energy efficient, but the different nature of the architecture requires persuading developers. It's not for gaming yet, but it's great for common tasks. ARM Macs have been doing really well, with the Rosetta translation software running Intel apps near-flawlessly, but Windows has been.. bad. Just bad.
Long story short, power efficiency. But also less horrible arch. See also: RISC V.