Just as Apple did in 2020, many other PC manufacturers are trying to switch from Intel processors to ARM chips to improve performance and energy efficiency. But while the transition has been smooth for Apple, it’s been more complicated for Windows users. Those who have tried ARM PCs have complained about incompatibility issues with popular games.
Windows users complain that popular games don’t work on ARM PCs.
Recent Reports The Wall Street Journal Windows PCs powered by Qualcomm ARM chips are reportedly incompatible with many games currently available on the platform. The report says the issue is “widespread” and affects titles like League of Legends and Fortnite.
Analysts say gamers make up about 15 percent of laptop users worldwide and generate “hundreds of billions of dollars in business each year.” While Macs are more popular in the productivity space, Windows has always been known as the more open platform for gaming. But the shift from x86 to ARM could change that.
Like macOS, ARM versions of Windows have technology that translates x86 software to ARM, allowing users to run apps and games that haven’t been updated yet natively on the new architecture. However, this technology not only runs apps with poor performance, but it also introduces bugs and glitches.
Experts claim that one of the causes of these bugs is software built into the code to prevent cheating, which is essential for online games. “Even if the game itself can be translated to run on Arm, the anti-cheat software may not be compatible,” the report says.
Qualcomm, which makes the ARM chips that power the latest Windows PCs, says it’s working with game developers to ensure better compatibility, but for most developers, embracing the small number of ARM PC users doesn’t seem to be a priority right now.
Apple is now in a favorable position for gamers
Earlier this year, Microsoft unveiled a new Surface laptop with a Qualcomm ARM chip that outperformed Apple’s basic M3 chip in some benchmark tests. Still, tests showed that Windows performed significantly worse at emulating x86 software on the new architecture.
Macs aren’t popular with gamers, but Apple has been trying to show that its Apple Silicon chips can power AAA titles. Last year, the company released tools to help developers port Windows games to macOS, and it’s been working with major studios to bring games like Resident Evil and Assassin’s Creed to iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
In July, Apple held a special media event to promote gaming experiences on its devices. It seems that Apple has finally gained an advantage over its competitors in the gaming sector. Of course, only time will tell if Apple succeeds in turning its devices into benchmarks when it comes to gaming.
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