Google Chrome Testing for Windows on Arm

In a recent development, Google Chrome has initiated trials for its native version adapted for Windows on Arm. This brings the globally popular browser to a lesser-known operating system, which could become more significant in 2024, according to sources from the Reader Wall Times.

Evidence of the Arm-specific Version

As per a Twitter user named Pedro Justo, Google is extending Windows on Arm builds to its nightly Canary Channel, known to be the most recent Chrome beta. This has been further confirmed by multiple sources from Reader Wall, with the consensus being that the browser now runs natively on Windows on Arm machines.

Chrome on Arm: A First but Not For Chromium

While this may be a first for Chrome, Chromium – the open-source foundation of Chrome browser – isn’t new to this. Microsoft Edge, being built on Chromium, already operates natively on Arm computers. Concurrently, Chrome builds for Chromebooks also rely on Chromium. However, the difference is evident in integration with Google’s applications and services, an association absent in Chromium. Traditionally, Chrome ran on existing Windows on Arm devices via emulation, which often resulted in performance issues and lead to a preference for Microsoft Edge on Arm PCs.

What This Release Could Mean

The release of Chrome as a nightly Canary build could imply that it will likely be included in the stable version of Chrome in the upcoming months. This parallels the ongoing development and launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, the foundation upon which Windows on Arm aspires to thrive. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite platform was launched last fall and is speculated to offer similar performance levels as Intel’s 13th-gen Core chips, something to be hopeful about.

The Anticipation of Snapdragon X Elite Performance

For several years now, Qualcomm has introduced Arm chips for Windows PCs that boast incredible battery life, albeit with compromised performance. The Snapdragon X Elite aims to revolutionize this by offering enhanced performance quality. Without the performance penalty introduced by emulation, the Snapdragon X Elite could offer a much more competitive user experience, making it highly anticipated in the market.

Future Comparisons

The degree of performance improvement, compared to Intel’s 14th-gen Core Ultra (Meteor Lake), Intel’s latest Core HX chips, and the AMD Ryzen 8000 laptop CPUs, is yet to be ascertained. Nevertheless, the elimination of any performance penalty via emulation promises to make the Snapdragon X Elite experience more competitive and sought after.

Thus, Google’s latest step of testing a native version of Chrome on Arm is a significant development in this realm of technology, and one that is worth watching.

Further Readings

• Arm Architecture
• Understanding Google Chrome & Chromium
• Introduction to Snapdragon Processors