It’s the end of Wintel. At least, that’s what you’re likely to read this morning after Microsoft dropped the bomb shell that the next version of Windows will run not just on x86, but also on select ARM chips.
Microsoft CEO made the revelation Wednesday night at the pre-CES keynote and immediately set the industry abuzz over the ramifications of Windows running on ARM. The company then promptly demonstrated an early pre-alpha version of Windows running on ARM hardware from Texas Instruments, Qualcomm and an Nvidia.
Among the demos: The next-gen Windows on ARM running an ARM-version of Microsoft Word and printing to an Epson printer as well as the Nvidia Tegra 2 part running HD video and running a browser.
Ballmer said Microsoft isn’t turning its back on x86, but it wants to have the ability to provide Windows on everything from big screens to small screen. “Whatever device you use, now or in the future, Windows will be there,” Ballmer said.
The version demonstrated was “real Windows” running on ARM and not something emulated officials said. Still, hard details were missing such as when the OS would be available or just what features of Windows would be available on ARM. Would it be a super stripped down? What API’s would be supported? Will vendors really recompile or rewire x86 applications for ARM? None of that is known yet.
For more details, read on.
