Arm CEO: 50% of Windows PCs will be powered by Arm chips by 2029
Arm CEO predicts 50% of Windows PCs will use Arm chips by 2029, challenging x86 dominance.
In a bold prediction, Arm CEO Rene Haas projected that Arm-based chips will power over 50% of all Windows PCs by 2029, signaling a major shift in the PC market currently dominated by x86 processors from Intel and AMD. This follows recent announcements by Microsoft regarding new PCs that utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus SoCs, which reportedly outperform Apple's M3 MacBook Air in speed and offer superior battery life. These new PCs represent a significant step in Microsoft's commitment to Arm technology, which has traditionally seen limited adoption in the Windows environment.
Despite the optimistic forecast by Haas, industry analysts and competitors express caution. According to Kieren Jessop from Canalys, only 8–10% of PCs shipped quarterly are currently Arm-based, predominantly represented by Apple Silicon. Jessop suggests a potential rise to 30% market share by 2026 but considers a jump to over 50% within five years highly ambitious, especially without major shifts from other big players like Intel, who recently introduced their AI-focused Lunar Lake CPUs opposing Snapdragon's offerings.
The transition towards Arm processors in the Windows PC market reflects broader trends towards integration of AI capabilities and energy-efficient computing across devices. Qualcomm and Microsoft are pushing the envelope with developments aimed at making Arm architecture more mainstream, but whether these efforts will allow Arm to surpass x86 processors significantly in market share by Rene Haas's timeline remains to be seen. The outcome will depend heavily on consumer reception, technological advancements, and competitive responses over the coming years.