[greenknight]

> Why do the surface people keep hamstringing themselves with intel? I am confused to what shady backroom deal is going on but it seems rather pointless for both parties.

Probably massive kickbacks or massive discounts. Just remember, Intel put out this graphic when Zen was just released -- https://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Intel-vs...

[boxed]

Also because they know devs aren't on board to make arm versions of the software...

[dboreham]

They make ARM surfaces.

[bitwize]

Yeah... shitty ones. Microsoft just doesn't have the will to make top-performing mobile gear.

Or the oxygen in that space has been sucked out by Apple.

[infinityplus1]

Snapdragon X surfaces will launch in near future as well. Hope they are more competitive with Macbooks.

[pge]

Isn’t the issue there a software issue, not a hardware issue, in that a lot of windows apps don’t run well on ARM yet?

[bitwize]

The issue is twofold:

1) Windows on ARM's x86 emulation sucks;

2) Apple Silicon are the only ARM parts that aren't dogshit slow compared to desktop processors.

This is why Apple is building the future and virtually no one else is: Apple controls the entire hardware and software stack from the silicon on up. A hybrid hardware-software solution, in the form of Rosetta 2 plus special modes in the M1 and later chip to enforce x86 style memory access, allowed Apple to emulate x86 apps at acceptable speed.

[kd913]

They may get kickbacks, but if they want to eat Apple's pie it makes little sense for this kind of move which would massively hamstring growth.

Also don't really see the benefit for Microsoft for the kickbacks (are they desperate for cash?) at the cost of growth and potential DoJ scrutiny.

This sector is already a slim line that is dwarfed by office, windows, azure so what is the point in doing all of this nonsense?

If they want to grow their own silicon, push ARM, if they want to compete, do so. To me it sounds like kickbacks to specific people in the surface group which seems shadier.