Skip to main content

ARM fails to flex at CES 2015

A chip designed by semiconductor company ARM.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Two years ago it looked like chips designed by Advanced RISC Machines, or ARM, might compete successfully with Intel for a chunk of the laptop, convertible, and hybrid PC market. Traditionally, ARM processors have powered cellphones and tablets, but the release of Windows RT opened a brief chance to transition into mainstream computers.

That was an exciting possibility. Intel’s research and development is unmatched, but it’s only one company, and it tends to focus on powerful, expensive chips. ARM offered a different, more affordable path, but numerous obstacles have kept its chip from moving into mainstream PCs.

Broken Windows

While Windows RT probably wasn’t the only thing dragging ARM CPUs down, the fact they couldn’t run standard Windows didn’t help. It became apparent after the debut of Windows 8 that users would rather pay slightly more for “full” Windows.

The death of RT cut chips based on ARM off from the vast majority of users.

Indeed, it could be argued that Microsoft accidentally became ARM’s greatest enemy. Excitement about inexpensive Windows devices with great battery life instantly became apprehension when users realized that Windows RT could not run traditional Windows applications and would be strapped to inexpensive, undesirable devices.

The death of RT cut chips based on ARM off from the vast majority of users. Sure, there’s been some success in Chromebooks, but Google’s operating system represents a tiny sliver of the market despite its accelerating popularity. And even they choose to rely on Intel chips more often than an alternative.

ARM isn’t just losing – Intel is winning

Not only has Intel managed to pick up most of the laptop, hybrid, convertible PC and Windows-based tablets with its low-powered laptop-grade processors, but the company has developed two highly efficient competitors, Atom and Core M.

Atom has been around for years, but early versions disappointed with poor performance. The netbook fad rose and fell on the back of the original Atom’s inability to fulfill expectations. Intel gave the brand a major refresh in 2013, however, bestowing it with quicker quad-core processors. Since then Atom has become a viable chip for devices that prioritize affordable pricing and portability.

Intel Core MCore M, introduced late last year, is essentially a step between the entry-level power of Atom and the impressive grunt of the Core line. It is based on the same architecture as the latter, Broadwell, and delivers strong performance while consuming just a few watts. Price is the only drawback, but Core M still fits into some notebooks sold under $1,000.

If Windows RT killed ARM’s chances in computing, Intel put the nails in its coffin. There’s no longer space for a competitor. CES 2015 made that obvious; many notebooks were revealed, but none had ARM inside.

ARM’s not dying

All of this is not to say that because we didn’t see any PCs built around ARM at CES this year that the company itself is in trouble, or on its way out. ARM designs from Samsung, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and a few other chip makers power new and impressive Android devices from Google, Samsung, and LG, among others. ARM is as deeply entranced in mobile devices as Intel is in computing, so there’s plenty of space for both to succeed.

ARM is as deeply entranced in mobile devices as Intel is in computing.

In addition, Nvidia announced at CES this year that it is releasing its Tegra X1 mobile processor, which features ARM cores. Not only will this CPU be used in mobile devices (primarily tablets and smartphones), but Nvidia says that it will also be used in self-driving cars and some other automation industries (but no mention of PCs).

What’s next?

Smartphones, Android tablets, iPads, even Windows Phone, not to mention a slew of applications unrelated to computing and the Internet, run on an ARM chip. And as long as, when it comes to running Android, ARM CPUs hold up to their Intel counterparts, Samsung, Apple, Google, and others will continue to use them.

Furthermore, Qualcomm has joined companies like AMD to create and distribute ARM-powered servers. According to Steven Mollenkopf, Qualcomm’s CEO, the company is already engaged in negotiations with multiple enterprise customers, including Facebook, regarding development of microservers powered by ARM cores.

Even Android likes Atom, though. Recently, several Android slates, such as Dell Venues and Lenovo Yogas, that were built around ARM CPUs have, in their latest updates, dawned Atom processors. Intel is certainly nudging its way in.

William Harrel
Former Digital Trends Contributor
William Harrel has been writing about computer technology for well over 25 years. He has authored or coauthored 20…
CES wasn’t ready for the Vision Pro
ces wasnt ready for vision pro asus air 2 01

The Vision Pro is coming. Really soon. Its release date announcement, while not technically made at CES, may as well have been.

And yet, most people haven't used the headset, and don't know what it really does. And that's OK. But surely the technologists at CES 2024 would be a bit more equipped for what's about to hit us in the near future, right? Surely, there would be companies at CES who came to the show prepared to challenge Apple -- or at least complement its technology.

Read more
Digital Trends’ Top Tech of CES 2024 Awards
Top Tech of CES 2024

It’s hard to explain the feeling and energy surrounding CES. There are fresh ideas and new products everywhere you turn. With so much happening, and thousands of companies competing for attention, manufacturers have to do something really intriguing to have any chance of standing out. But it’s possible – every year we recognize a group of products that are truly compelling and will help move the industry forward.

These are our Top Tech of CES 2024 awards, recognizing the best and most innovative announcements at the show.
Audio/Video

Read more
This is the strangest, most exciting keyboard I saw at CES 2024
The Hyte Keeb TKl keyboard at CES 2024.

I didn't cover a ton of keyboards at CES 2024 because, frankly, they're not too exciting for the most part. Hyte made me do a double take, though. Its new Keeb keyboard is, without a doubt, one of the strangest, most exciting keyboards I've ever seen. And I can't wait for it to start shipping.

Hyte isn't the name you think of when it comes to peripherals -- in fact, this is its first peripheral ever. The company known for PC cases is expanding its horizons with the Keeb, and it seems focused on bringing the same unique design that we've seen with its PC cases over the past few years to other components.

Read more