In 2024, Windows on ARM made significant strides, thanks to the advancements brought by Windows 11 24H2 and the introduction of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors. What once seemed like an unusual, risky, and even inadvisable choice—purchasing a Windows on ARM device—has now become a viable option worth serious consideration.
I took the leap and purchased the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (the entry-level version with 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the Snapdragon X Plus). While I previously shared an in-depth review of the device, today, I want to focus on my experience over the past few months using it as my first Windows on ARM computer.
Positive points of Windows on ARM
The main reason I decided to invest in a Windows laptop running on ARM was its promise of outstanding battery life. While I knew Intel’s Lunar Lake was on the way, I didn’t want to wait—and honestly, I was eager to step out of my comfort zone and try something different.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the incredible experience of using my laptop without ever worrying about the battery running out. It easily lasts through a full workday and then some, giving me around 11 hours of use with my typical activities—browsing, listening to music, writing, and staying active on social media.
What truly impressed me was how well the battery held up during multimedia consumption. I could watch several movies back-to-back and still have power left—a feat that felt almost impossible with any of the x86 laptops I’ve used in the past. This has been a refreshing and transformative experience.
Another standout aspect—and one closely tied to battery life—is how well the Surface Laptop 7 performs when running unplugged. On previous laptops, it was frustrating to own a powerful device only to see its performance drop dramatically when disconnected from power. This wasn’t just noticeable during demanding tasks; even routine activities like browsing the web, opening lightweight apps, or navigating system animations showed sluggishness (and, let’s be honest, Windows deserves some blame here).
With Windows on ARM, the performance remains virtually the same whether the laptop is plugged in or not. This not only enhances usability but also promotes better battery care, as it’s generally advised not to keep a device constantly plugged in at full charge to prolong its battery lifespan.
Another huge win is energy efficiency, particularly when it comes to noise and heat. Over these past months, my Surface Laptop 7 has been virtually silent and cool. Even though it has a fan, I can count on one hand the times it’s activated—and that’s without subjecting it to demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
Using the laptop for hours with 20 tabs open, music streaming, social media apps, and a couple of programs running simultaneously—all while it remains cool and noise-free—is a genuinely refreshing experience. On my previous laptop, I had to replace the thermal paste after just a few years due to excessive heat generation. That doesn’t seem like it’ll be an issue here, which will likely help extend the device’s lifespan.
Finally, one of the features I’ve come to appreciate the most is how seamless suspension mode works. I rarely shut down my laptop anymore; I just let it sleep. When I pick it up again, it has barely lost any battery, and I can jump right back into work almost instantly. This level of convenience has completely transformed my day-to-day laptop usage.
What I liked the least
While my overall experience with Windows on ARM has been overwhelmingly positive, it’s not without its flaws. This platform is still somewhat niche, and that comes with a few challenges.
The most glaring issue I’ve encountered (and one I anticipated) is the limited compatibility with certain applications, particularly video games. Not all software can be emulated successfully on ARM devices, and some simply won’t run at all. Popular games like League of Legends and Fortnite are prime examples of this compatibility gap.
Another hurdle is the lack of robust developer support. If an app has a bug specific to Windows on ARM, the smaller user base means that fixing it is often a low priority—or worse, the issue might never reach the developer’s radar. This can leave users feeling overlooked compared to those on more mainstream platforms.
That said, my complaints are few and far between. My usage has aligned well with what Windows on ARM currently offers, and I went into this knowing what to expect. The device has delivered exactly what I needed, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
Looking ahead to 2025, I hope Microsoft and Qualcomm continue to strengthen their collaboration, and I’d love to see other manufacturers like MediaTek join the Windows on ARM ecosystem. Greater competition could drive innovation, improve compatibility, and ultimately benefit users like me.
