This year has been significant for Windows operating on Arm chips, a development that Microsoft and Arm chip manufacturers have been pursuing for over a decade. Central to this push are Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors, which power numerous Copilot+ Windows PCs. These devices are marketed as offering unique AI capabilities and enhanced battery life while addressing many of the app and hardware compatibility challenges that have historically hindered the performance of Windows-on-Arm systems.
Among the initial offerings of Copilot+ PCs was an $899 developer kit from Qualcomm aimed at developers and testers, providing a more affordable entry point into the Copilot+ ecosystem. This was not the first attempt by Microsoft to cater to developers, as they released a similar Arm-powered development kit two years prior. However, the excitement surrounding the new kit was short-lived.
Qualcomm Cancels Windows Arm Developer Kit Amid Performance Concerns, Shifting Focus to Costlier Copilot+ Devices
Qualcomm recently announced the cancellation of the developer kit, issuing refunds to those who pre-ordered it. This decision came as a surprise to many, including developer and YouTuber Jeff Geerling, who had previously reviewed the kit with mixed feedback. Qualcomm explained that the product had failed to meet its standards of excellence, leading to its indefinite suspension along with any associated support.
The cancellation of the developer kit follows a tumultuous launch, initially slated for shipping on June 18 but plagued by delays. Geerling and other pre-orderers had reported issues, including a change in the kit’s hardware specifications where the built-in HDMI port was replaced by a USB-C-to-HDMI dongle. This last-minute alteration was accompanied by discounts for affected customers, highlighting potential design and production flaws that may have contributed to the postponements.
With the cancellation of the dev kit, those interested in testing and developing on an Arm system must now look to the Copilot+ laptops or tablets. Unfortunately, these alternatives are significantly more expensive, with devices that feature comparable specifications, such as 32GB of RAM and an unlocked Snapdragon X Elite processor, priced around $2,100 for a Surface Pro tablet, and closer to $1,000 for some laptops like the HP Omnibook X, depending on current promotions.
