14 DAY TRIAL // Asus and HP are two of the companies that will bring Windows 10 on ARM laptops to the market in the coming months, but it looks like the new project is already gaining some love from more manufacturers, including Samsung and Xiaomi.
Both are currently working on their own Always Connected PCs running Windows 10 on ARM, according to a report from Fudzilla, but for the time being, no other specifics are provided. And yet, it’s not hard to determine how important this is for Microsoft’s new project.
Samsung is currently one of the largest mobile phone manufacturers and the first adopter of new high-end Snapdragon processors, which are also projected to power Windows 10 on ARM with some tweaks.
Their devices will naturally follow the same strategy as the other models running Windows 10 on ARM and feature long battery life, probably with some extras like detachable screens and support for the S Pen.
China expansion
In the case of Xiaomi, its involvement is even more important for Microsoft. Xiaomi is one of the largest tech companies in China and its devices are selling like hot cakes in the domestic market, so by launching an Always Connected PC, it helps Microsoft expand the Windows 10 on ARM push locally.
Nearly all foreign companies have struggled to win China, so Xiaomi’s Snapdragon-powered Windows 10 laptops will give Microsoft a bigger chance of expanding adoption of its new operating system in the country.
In terms of pricing, it’s expected that Xiaomi’s models will be more affordable than Samsung’s, though this will clearly depend on a series of factors, including hardware.
Neither Samsung nor Xiaomi confirmed plans to launch Always Connected PCs, but more news on this front should land in early 2018 when the first manufacturers start shipping their devices. Others are also expected to join the party, including Lenovo and Dell.