<div id="readability-page-1"><figure>  <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/STK109_WINDOWS_A.jpg/query-Y3JvcD0wLDAsMTAwLDEwMCZxdWFsaXR5PTkwJnN0cmlwPWFsbA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="2040" height="1360" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/STK109_WINDOWS_A.jpg/query-Y3JvcD0wLDAsMTAwLDEwMCZxdWFsaXR5PTkwJnN0cmlwPWFsbA"/>  <figcaption>   </figcaption> </figure> <p>In 2024, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips finally made Arm-based Windows laptops viable. Unlike previous Arm laptops that struggled to even run Windows well, this new class offered solid performance and the best battery life on Windows, and they impressed us in Microsoft's own Surface Laptop and Surface Pro offerings. But inconsistent app compatibility remained the biggest hurdle to running Windows on Arm. (It forced me to use the watered-down Adobe Lightroom app instead of Lightroom Classic, and that's a sin.) And playing games, one of Windows' greatest strengths against the walled garden of Apple's Macs, was basically a nonstarter.</p> <p>Throughou …</p> <p>Read the full story at The Verge.</p></div>

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<p>In 2024, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips improved the viability of Arm-based Windows laptops, offering solid performance and excellent battery life, particularly in Microsoft's Surface devices. However, inconsistent app compatibility remains a significant challenge, limiting the use of full applications like Adobe Lightroom Classic and hindering gaming performance, which is a key advantage of Windows over Apple's Macs.</p>

- In 2024, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips significantly improved the performance of Arm-based Windows laptops, making them more viable.  
- Despite the advancements in battery life and performance, inconsistent app compatibility posed significant challenges, limiting functionalities like Adobe Lightroom and gaming.  
- This highlights the ongoing struggle faced by users in fully leveraging the capabilities of Windows on Arm devices.

Windows on Arm had another good year