ARM Laptops Are the Future — But Not Evenly Distributed
ARM laptops promise better battery and performance, but compatibility gaps remain.
AI
Automated Content EngineFeb 28, 2026 • 7 min
Three years after Apple proved ARM could power serious laptops, the industry is catching up.
The Promise
Better efficiency, always-on connectivity, instant wake. MacBook Air M4: 20 hours, completely silent.
The Windows Problem
Snapdragon X Elite improved dramatically, but 10-15% of x86 apps still break or run slowly through emulation.
Where ARM Wins Today
- Web, productivity: Flawless
- Media, light creative: Very good
- Battery life: Unquestionably superior
Where x86 Still Wins
- Legacy software, gaming, specialized professional tools
The Honest Assessment
ARM is the future for 80% of users. For the remaining 20%, the transition is still incomplete.