Monday, July 12th 2021
Surface Pro X with Windows 11 Shown Running Microsoft-branded Qualcomm Arm SoC
A next-generation Microsoft Surface Pro X with Windows 11 was shown running a Microsoft-branded processor that's expected to be a design collaboration between the company and Qualcomm, in a bid to develop a high performance/Watt solution rivaling the Apple M1. Microsoft's contribution to this is the x86-64 emulation heavily integrated into Windows 11, letting you run native x86-64 apps seamlessly, with the OS handling the hardware abstraction much like WOW64.
Called the Microsoft SQ2, the silicon features an 8-core/8-thread CPU, and an iGPU that meets the minimum requirements of Windows 11 for its standard UI, with just enough power for web-browsing with high-res videos. The CPU runs at speeds of up to 3.15 GHz, and has a fairly advanced memory system that includes a 3-level cache and LPDDR5 memory.
Source:
PC Watch
Called the Microsoft SQ2, the silicon features an 8-core/8-thread CPU, and an iGPU that meets the minimum requirements of Windows 11 for its standard UI, with just enough power for web-browsing with high-res videos. The CPU runs at speeds of up to 3.15 GHz, and has a fairly advanced memory system that includes a 3-level cache and LPDDR5 memory.
15 Comments on Surface Pro X with Windows 11 Shown Running Microsoft-branded Qualcomm Arm SoC
But yeah, I agree I would just get an iPad Pro for that money. I'm not a fan of Apple at all, but their iPads are just unrivaled for tablet. I'm still using iPad 6 2018, but I'm definitely interested in iPad Pro next time.
You aint gunna run crysis on this, but if we get get ARM levels of efficiency and battery life with the open x86-64 program and android apk support vs apple having everything locked to their apps on one store...
x86 software are the main reason ppl using windows.
It looks odd to move to ARM and have to "emulate" you biggest advantage back into the system.
Is power efficiency the main concern ?
As for this SoC, did everyone forget that the Surface Pro X originally also had a Microsoft-branded "SQ1" SoC? It would be more surprising if the follow-up arrived with a straight-up Snapdragon design.
www.google.com/amp/s/wccftech.com/microsoft-sq2-chip-performs-same-sq1-not-an-upgrade/amp/
Edit: I'll add I had a spx sp1 and loved it. It was lacking in native support at the time and I had a hell of a time finding required drivers I needed so it went back. I want a spx that's fully supported so bad so I am continually hopeful that improvements are coming but sadly this is just a new os on old hardware. Which will help but the chip is not going to compete against an M1. The underlying chip architecture just isn't there in the SQ1 and SQ2.
IMO, ARM needs to put out a core significantly wider than the X1 in order to properly compete with Apple - though that seems to be a challenge, sadly.
For a second I thought the article was referencing the rumored Microsoft-developed ARM SoC. This Qualcomm collaboration SQ2 isn't it.