Microsoft presented a few years ago, a model of the Surface range managed by the SQ3 processor, a processor designed between Microsoft and Qualcomm. The features offered by this processor did not make it the best option in most cases, however, it was the first step of Windows with ARM processors.
The performance was not the best since it was nothing more than a mobile processor, specifically the model Snapdragon 8CX Gen 3 adapted to computers. Since then, many have been developers who began to bet on this architecture in their applications, although much more calmly than their versions for devices with Apple’s M1 chip that it presented in 2020 with the same architecture.
With the launch of processors with ARM architecture from Qualcomm designed exclusively for PC and not adapted for mobile phones, there are many application developers who have stepped on the accelerator to offer versions compatible with this architecture. If you are looking for applications compatible with ARM processors to take advantage of all the benefits they offer without having to use the PRISM emulator, we invite you to take a look at the compilation that we have prepared.
Media and streaming players
If you want to enjoy your videos or streaming video platforms on your new PC with ARM architecture, these are the applications that are already adapted to this architecture.
- VLC. No one in their right mind can deny that, despite its outdated user interface, VLC is the best video and music player currently available on the market. We can download the ARM version from its website.
- kodi. We also couldn’t miss this popular player to create a multimedia server for free. We can’t say anything about Kodi that hasn’t already been said and we can download it from here.
- Spotify. The most popular streaming music platform in the world and with more than 400 million users is one of the first to opt for this type of processor and we can download it from the Microsoft Store by clicking here.
- The streaming video platforms Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video are also compatible with the ARM architecture through the applications available in the Microsoft application store, if you do not want to use the web version.
Photo and video editing
Thanks to the NPU that integrates ARM processors, video and photo editors compatible with this architecture can perform AI tasks locally and in much less time.
- photoshop. If we talk about a photo editor, we have to talk about Photoshop, an Adobe application that is already available for this architecture through Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Luminar Neo. An editor that is presented as an interesting alternative to the almighty Photoshop and that also makes use of Artificial Intelligence is already compatible with these processors, although for now on a beta basis, a beta that we can test from here.
- GIMPthe most popular and well-known alternative to Photoshop and which, in addition, is completely free and open source, is also available for computers with ARM processors from its website.
- Clipchamp. The Microsoft video editor is officially compatible with these processors, a program that we can download from the Microsoft application store through this link.
- DaVince Resolvethe most complete free video editor available on the market, can be downloaded from its website for ARM processors, although at the moment it is still in beta.
- Adobe Premiere. Obviously, the most complete video editor on the market, Adobe Premiere, is now available through the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for all users with this type of processor.
Browsers
Microsoft launched a version of its browser, Edge, compatible with ARM processors in 2020, so it is not necessary to add it to this compilation as it is included in the operating system.
- Google Chrome. Being the most used browser and with the largest market share, the Google browser could not be missing from this compilation, ARM version available through this link.
- Firefox. The third browser in market share, Firefox, a browser that we can download from its website.
- brave. Brave also offers a version for ARM-compatible processors for privacy lovers, a browser that we can download from its website.
- Vivaldithe browser with the best customization experience, is also available for this type of processors from here.
- Opera. This feature-rich browser with support for messaging and social media platforms is also available for ARM processors from here.