ARM vs x86 Laptops: What's the Difference?

Shopping for a new laptop used to mean picking between Intel and AMD. Now you’ll also see “Snapdragon”, “Arm” and Apple’s M-series chips, often with bold battery-life claims attached. If you’ve wondered whether an ARM laptop will run your software, or whether x86 is now the old way of doing things, you’re not alone.

Here’s what ARM and x86 actually mean, where each one wins, and how to decide which fits the way you work.

What ARM and x86 actually mean

ARM and x86 are instruction set architectures: the basic language a processor understands. Software has to be compiled for a specific architecture to run natively.

• x86 (and its 64-bit version, x64 or x86-64) is the architecture used by Intel and AMD processors. It has powered most Windows PCs for decades, so nearly every Windows app, driver and game was built for it.
• ARM is an architecture designed by Arm Holdings and licensed to chipmakers. It has long dominated smartphones and tablets thanks to its power efficiency. In laptops, you’ll find it in Apple silicon Macs (M1 and later), Windows laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series chips, and many Chromebooks.

Neither is inherently “better”. They reflect different design histories, and modern chips from both camps are fast. The practical differences come down to battery life, software compatibility and accessories.

ARM vs x86 at a glance

Battery life and heat

Battery life is ARM’s headline advantage. ARM chips have historically been designed around efficiency, and laptops built on them often run cooler and quieter, with some models needing no fan at all. Microsoft’s own FAQ on Arm-based Windows PCs says they use less power and can last through a typical work or school day, and they wake from sleep instantly, like a phone.

That said, x86 has closed some of the gap. Intel and AMD have released efficiency-focused laptop chips, and a well-designed x86 ultrabook can deliver strong battery life too. Battery life depends on the whole laptop, including screen brightness, battery size and your workload, so read independent reviews of the specific model rather than relying on the chip label alone.

Key takeaway: ARM usually wins on battery and heat, x86 wins on compatibility. Decide which one matters more for your daily work, then confirm your must-have apps before buying.

Software compatibility: where the real differences live

On Windows

Windows 11 runs natively on ARM, and many major apps now have native Arm64 versions, including web browsers and Microsoft 365 apps. For everything else, Windows uses emulation: it translates x86 and x64 code into ARM instructions on the fly. Windows 11 version 24H2 introduced a faster emulator called Prism, which Microsoft says improves performance and lowers CPU use for emulated apps.

Emulation covers most everyday software, but it has firm limits. According to Microsoft’s documentation, emulation only supports user-mode code, not drivers. Anything that installs a kernel-mode driver must be built for Arm64. That affects:

• Some games, especially those using anti-cheat systems that rely on drivers not built for Arm
• Some third-party antivirus and security tools that haven’t released Arm versions
• Older or niche hardware such as specialized printers, scanners, audio interfaces and lab equipment without Arm64 drivers
• Some virtualization tools and apps that customize Windows, including certain input methods and cloud storage add-ons

Microsoft also notes that the built-in Windows Fax and Scan app isn’t available on Arm PCs. For games, Microsoft points to the crowdsourced compatibility site Works on WoA as a place to check titles.

On Mac

Every current Mac uses Apple silicon, which is ARM-based. Most Mac apps are now Universal or built for Apple silicon. Older Intel-only apps run through Rosetta 2, Apple’s translation layer. That bridge has an end date: Apple’s support page says Rosetta remains available on Apple silicon Macs through macOS 27, and from macOS 28 it will be limited to certain older, unmaintained games. Intel-based apps outside that exception won’t work, so update to native versions before then.

On ChromeOS

Chromebooks come in both ARM and x86 versions. Web apps work the same on either. Android apps generally run fine on ARM, and Linux apps may need ARM builds.

Performance: it depends on the task

Raw speed is no longer a clear divide. Apple’s M-series chips and recent Snapdragon chips are competitive with Intel and AMD in everyday work, web browsing, office tasks and many creative apps. Where differences appear:

• Native vs emulated apps. A native ARM app runs at full speed. An emulated x86 app runs slower and uses more power, though for light software you may not notice.
• Gaming. x86 Windows laptops with dedicated graphics remain the safest choice for PC gaming. ARM Windows gaming is improving but title support is inconsistent.
• Graphics and pro workloads. High-end x86 laptops can pair with powerful discrete GPUs for 3D, engineering and AI work that needs CUDA. Apple’s higher-end chips handle video editing and creative work very well within macOS.
• On-device AI. Many new ARM and x86 laptops include NPUs for local AI features. See what is an AI PC and small language models on device for what that means in practice.

Who should choose which

Where to start

1. List your must-have apps and devices. Include printers, scanners, docking stations, audio gear, VPN clients, antivirus and any games.
2. Check each one for ARM support. Look for “Arm64”, “Windows on Arm” or “Apple silicon” on the vendor’s download or support pages. For games on Windows, check the publisher and Works on WoA.
3. Ask IT, if you’re buying for work. Managed laptops often run security agents and VPN software that need Arm64 builds.
4. Read reviews of the exact model. Battery life varies by screen, battery size and tuning, not just chip type.
5. Buy where returns are easy. Test your apps in the first week. If something critical fails, return it.
6. Plan your memory at purchase. Most ARM laptops have soldered memory. See how much RAM do I need before choosing a configuration.

Still choosing an operating system too? Compare Mac vs Windows vs Chromebook, or start with our broader guide on how to choose a laptop. Business buyers can also read Mac vs Windows for business.

Conclusion

ARM laptops have moved from experiment to mainstream. For most people who live in a browser, email and office apps, an ARM laptop delivers excellent battery life with few compromises. x86 remains the safer pick for PC gaming, specialized Windows software, older peripherals and managed work environments. The deciding factor isn’t which chip is faster. It’s whether everything you rely on runs well on it, so check your apps first and buy second. For more terms like “NPU” and “emulation”, see the glossary.

Sources

• Microsoft Learn: How emulation works on Arm — Prism in Windows 11 24H2, x86/x64 emulation, no driver emulation
• Microsoft Support: Windows Arm-based PCs FAQ — drivers, anti-cheat games, antivirus, printers, Fax and Scan, battery
• Apple Support: If you need to install Rosetta on your Mac — Rosetta availability through macOS 27 and limits in macOS 28