In mid-2024, Qualcomm introduced its first line of ARM-based processors for laptops, designed to offer significantly greater battery life than any device powered by Intel or AMD x86 processors.
Although these processors still have a long way to go before becoming the preferred choice among users, their energy efficiency and performance are setting a new industry standard. However, Intel seems to be ignoring this trend, unlike NVIDIA and AMD, which have shown interest in the technology.
As for NVIDIA, it is expected to launch its first ARM-based processor by the end of the year in collaboration with MediaTek, its main competitor in the mobile processor market.
AMD, on the other hand, initially appeared to share Intel’s stance of disregarding ARM architecture. However, recent leaks from the Moore’s Law is Dead podcast suggest otherwise. Following the launch of its Ryzen AI 300 series processors for laptops, Lisa Su’s company is now working on a new generation of APUs called Sound Wave, designed to compete directly with Qualcomm while also anticipating what NVIDIA will release before the year ends—provided there are no delays.
Originally, Sound Wave was based on the Zen 6 architecture, but AMD has now decided to adapt it to the ARM CPU market to avoid falling behind in this growing sector. These new APUs will feature a 6-core processor (2 P-Cores + 4 E-Cores), an RDNA 3.5-based GPU optimized for machine learning, a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device AI tasks, and MALL cache to enhance performance without increasing power consumption. Additionally, they will support 128-bit LPDDR5X-9600 memory with a minimum of 16GB of RAM.
With only six cores, it is clear that AMD’s goal is not to compete in raw power with high-end solutions but rather to introduce a processor that delivers exceptional battery life at a competitive price, similar to mid-range laptops, which typically cost under $1,000.
In this regard, Qualcomm still has an unmet promise, as it previously stated that by early 2025, it would release ARM-based laptop processors priced under $800—something that has yet to materialize.
Users who choose ARM-based devices primarily do so for significantly longer battery life compared to x86 laptops. Until now, the only viable option in this category has been Apple’s MacBook lineup, but adopting this alternative means switching to a different operating system, often requiring changes in software as well.
Unlike Apple, where power efficiency is not an absolute priority, both Intel and AMD have avoided bringing ARM architecture to desktop PCs. The main reason is the lack of expandability, as all components are integrated into a single chip, making upgrades and modifications impossible.
