Reuters: MediaTek is working on a Windows-on-ARM chip for Microsoft - GSMArena.com news
What role is MediaTek expected to play in Microsoft's new strategy for ARM-based chips?
MediaTek is expected to design an alternative ARM-based chipset for Microsoft's Windows-on-ARM initiative. This chip will be based on the standard library of ARM cores, which will speed up development, as the Snapdragon X uses Qualcomm-designed CPU and GPU. MediaTek's involvement aims to offer more diverse options for manufacturers and potentially qualify for the Copilot+ program, which requires at least 40 TOPS of on-device AI compute power. The MediaTek-designed chip for Windows is expected to be available in late next year.
What specific actions has Microsoft taken to promote Windows-on-ARM into the mainstream?
Microsoft has taken several specific actions to promote Windows-on-ARM into the mainstream:
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Collaboration with Qualcomm: Microsoft has partnered with Qualcomm to develop Snapdragon X laptops, which have been released by manufacturers such as Microsoft, Samsung, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
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Working with MediaTek: Microsoft has engaged MediaTek to design an alternative chipset for Windows-on-ARM devices. This chipset will be based on the standard library of ARM cores, which will help speed up development.
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Copilot+ program: Microsoft has introduced the Copilot+ program, which requires at least 40 TOPS of on-device AI compute power. This program encourages manufacturers to develop more powerful and efficient ARM-based devices.
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Supporting diverse options: By collaborating with different manufacturers and encouraging the development of various chipsets, Microsoft aims to offer a wider range of options for consumers, making Windows-on-ARM devices more appealing and accessible.
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Investing in developer tools and infrastructure: Microsoft and its partners have been working on improving runtimes, tooling, and infrastructure for Arm-based Windows devices, making it easier for developers to create and optimize applications for these devices2.
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Showcasing new experiences: Microsoft has been highlighting the intelligent Windows apps that leverage the rich capabilities of the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) present in many ARM-based devices, demonstrating the potential of Windows-on-ARM for AI-powered tasks and experiences2.
How will the MediaTek chip differ from the Snapdragon X in terms of CPU and GPU design?
The MediaTek chip will differ from the Snapdragon X in terms of CPU and GPU design in that it will be based on the standard library of ARM cores, while the Snapdragon X uses Qualcomm-designed CPU and GPU. MediaTek's chip will use standard parts from ARM, such as Cortex CPU cores and Mali/Immortalis GPUs. This approach is expected to speed up development, but it may also provide less scope for fine-tuning performance and power consumption compared to Qualcomm's custom design.