Microsoft reveals 'Always Connected PCs' from HP and ASUS with Windows 10 on ARM

It was nearly one twelvemonth ago at WinHEC in China that Microsoft dropped a doozy on the tech world. The company announced a new partnership with mobile chip maker Qualcomm to bring the full Windows ten OS to Snapdragon ARM processors – the very same silicon used in today's smartphones.

Fast forward to today at the Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit in Hawaii, and Microsoft is ready to reveal the start consumer products featuring an "Always Continued" experience.

Two of these new devices from HP and ASUS volition become on sale in early 2022 and volition exist sold through traditional retailers and Microsoft. Lenovo will as well have a product in early 2022.

HP Green-eyed x2 and Asus NovaGo

The HP Envy x2 is an ultra-sparse Surface-like PC running the Snapdragon 835, with 4G LTE2, Wi-Fi and up to 20 hours of active bombardment use. The Envy x2 also reportedly supports Windows Hullo facial recognition and an agile pen for inking. That tablet, with dual front-facing speakers, is removable from the keyboard. No pricing details were equally notwithstanding available. It is just 6.9mm thin and weighs 1.5lbs (680g).

The forthcoming HP Envy x2 with a Snapdragon processor.

The ASUS NovaGo is "the world'southward commencement Gigabit LTE laptop" and can reportedly download a two-hour movie in just 10 seconds (under platonic conditions, which rarely exist). The NovaGo is more of a traditional laptop with a hinge to flip the display into tablet, presentation, or tent modes. Bombardment life is pegged at 22 hours of active apply and xxx days standby. It will cost $599 for a 4GB NovaGo with 64GB of storage, and $799 for 8GB and 256GB.

Related: ASUS NovaGo hands-on

The new ASUS NovaGo Gigabit laptop with Windows 10 on ARM.

Both the HP Green-eyed x2 and ASUS NovaGo transport with Windows 10 S on board, but like the Surface Laptop, owners can "unlock" that Os for a complimentary Windows 10 Pro upgrade at whatsoever time.

E'er Connected as a category

In a pregnant shift in how Microsoft and partners volition exist positioning these new devices, the branding "Ever Connected" will exist used to refer to devices running Windows 10 on ARM. That means in retail stores when a customer walks in there will exist desktops, gaming laptops, business organisation laptops, Ultrabooks, and now a new option: Always Connected.

The distinction between Always Connected PCs and standard laptops is significant, even so at that place is a lot of overlap, likewise.

Always Connected PCs run total Windows 10 – whether information technology is Windows 10 S, Windows x Abode, or Windows 10 Pro – and can run all Win32 applications, whether from the Windows Store (bridged Centennial apps) or installed through traditional means.

Of course, devices with Windows 10 S will exist limited to just Windows Shop apps, but similar the Surface Laptop those devices can unlock Windows 10 Pro in less than two-minutes at any time.

The main benefits of Windows 10 on ARM and Ever Connected PCs comes down to three primary features:

Instant on — Like your smartphone, Always Connected PCs don't hibernate; instead, they just plow on instantly even after hours of being on standby.
Ever connected — Again, like a smartphone, at that place is no need for either the Wi-Fi or LTE network to disconnect with Windows ten on ARM; these PCs will become notifications, alerts, and pull data without ever disconnecting.
Battery life — Smartphones already go all-mean solar day battery life, but an E'er Connected PC is at least 4 times the size, meaning larger batteries to lucifer the same hardware. so pushing a whole week of usage without recharging is likely not out of the question.

The large business relates to functioning. Matt Barlow, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Windows and Devices told me, however, that Windows x on ARM is completely recompiled for Qualcomm's hardware, and many of the apps – including an optimized version of Office 365 – are very responsive and quick. We'll accept to put these new devices through rigorous testing to run across how good they are for running everyday applications, simply then far things sound promising.

At first, Always Connected PCs volition be aimed primarily at the mass consumer market, but Microsoft sees a lot of potential for enterprise as well. With lower costs, better security (especially through Windows 10 South), and ultra-sparse portability and very long battery life, Microsoft thinks the Ever Connected PC "enables a new culture of work."

Always Continued looks promising

Until nosotros become our easily-on these new HP and ASUS devices, it is difficult to call whatsoever of this a success. However, the idea that I tin deport a PC and tablet that is as sparse as a magazine effectually with me while on 4G LTE and getting a week'south worth of active bombardment life is intriguing.

Toss in Windows Hello, instant on, and inking abilities, and a device like the HP Green-eyed x2 looks similar the ideal everyday computer that you take everywhere.

What I find more than interesting is that with the new smaller logic boards for ARM processors (compared to traditional x86) and long battery life manufacturers are free to create all sorts of new PC experiences and designs. Seeing as these devices run full Windows 10 – instead of a permanently hobbled Windows RT from years agone – there are no compromises for consumers and no confusion.

Always Connected PCs look like the answer to the ongoing challenge posed past Apple tree and its iPad line, which while dwindling, is notwithstanding an essential part of the consumer and even business organisation culture. At least for 2022, consumers will undoubtedly take even more choices, and that's ever a good thing.

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