Computex Announcements - Here comes Windows on ARM

This week at the Computex Conference in Shanghai, China - HP, Lenovo and Asus announced new "Always Connected" PCs based on the Qualcomm SnapDragon 835 ARM processor running Windows 10 on ARM that are scheduled for release in Q4 of 2017.

 The new "PCs" should provide phone like capabilities to a larger format.  So think about a tablet or 2:1 device with 20hrs or more of battery life - standby measured in days and 1GB LTE connectivity.

 These new motherboards measure a very small 504 cm2 versus the 981 cm2 typically seen in devices today based on Intel CPU.   

 When you consider all of the capabilities that Qualcomm place in the SnapDragon the potential for device is intriguing.   Especially since like a smartphone you can have several background processes running even though the unit is "standby" mode.  So think data sync or Cortana listen 

 One of the additional new features will be eSIM.  For anyone who has tried to install an LTE card into a laptop and use the SIM slot - this new technology will really change the way you address that mobility.  Think about the ability to change providers - even temporarily by simply establishing an account and then utilizing over the air provisioning.   Even carrying multiple numbers and carriers are a possibility.  

 So there was not a ton of detail of what the exact look and feel of these devices will be and what they will cost - but it will be an interesting new choice.  

 My hope is that MS does not limit these devices to Windows S or at least allows customers to upgrade to Pro or Enterprise editions.

 The one very prominent vendor missing from this announcement was Dell.  So they may be taking a wait & see on this before they commit or are just waiting for another MS event to announce - so WWPC or something.  

 I for one have always really liked having integrated mobility in a tablet/laptop and have purchased many an PCIe or M.2 format card and so we'll see what these new devices are like come Q4.  




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