What do you mean, 'Microsoft doesn't care about Windows on Arm'? Here's a cheap, underpowered test rig
- Reference: 1636987628
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/11/15/qualcomm_test_rig/
- Source link:
Windows on Arm has yet to set the world on fire, and developers would have been forgiven for wondering if Microsoft was about to tip the poor thing down the basement stairs to the dingy dungeon where the likes of [1]Media Center , [2]Zune , and [3]Microsoft Bob lurk.
A test bed was [4]promised earlier this year but, as the months rolled by, the device remained conspicuous by its absence.
[5]
However, with summer long gone, the " [6]Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Compute Platform " has put in an appearance on Microsoft's US store for a mere $219.
[7]
ECS LIVA Mini Box QC710 Desktop
Before shoppers get too carried away, this device (which lacks screen and keyboard) is very much aimed at developers. Indeed, 4GB of RAM isn't much where Windows is concerned, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c, while a capable chip, won't make dev eyes water with its raw performance.
Though the ports on the small PC are generous, the 64GB storage is stingy (but can be expanded via a MicroSD card). Windows 10 completes the package and it will be upgradeable to Windows 11.
[8]Microsoft finally remembers Windows on Arm is a thing, reveals native OneDrive client
[9]Windows Subsystem for Android: What's the point?
[10]MediaTek wants Windows 11 Arm PCs powered by its chips, not just Qualcomm's
[11]Developing for Windows 11: Like developing for Windows 10, but with rounded corners?
The Reg can't help but think of Apple's M1 developer kits, although we'd caution that performance is unlikely to be comparable. In addition, Microsoft warned: "There are no refunds available on this product. This product is meant for developers, not consumers."
The point of the device is give developers a hardware platform on which to test their "Windows on Snapdragon" code without having to spring for something considerably pricier.
[12]
We contacted Microsoft regarding UK availability, but we have yet to hear back.
It all seems too little, too late. With Microsoft's recent foray into the [13]cut-price laptop market being resolutely Intel-based, and even its lightweight Surface Go line eschewing Arm chippery, we're not sure how many developers will bother with a Windows-on-Snapdragon desktop application (unless it's a side effect of writing something for Apple's M1).
[14]
Still, it's only a matter of time before somebody boots Linux on the thing. ®
Get our [15]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2015/05/05/no_windows_media_center_win_10/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2015/09/16/zune_axed/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/25/xp_bob/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/24/qualcomm_snapdragon_7c_gen_2/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YZKSPsQql4kFY50RJouiwQAAAMA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/d/ecs-liva-mini-box-qc710-desktop/8z247h1h3skp
[7] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/11/15/windowsonarm.jpg
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/03/onedrive_arm/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/29/windows_subsystem_for_android_hands_on/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/27/mediatek_windows11_arm/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/28/developing_for_windows_11/
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YZKSPsQql4kFY50RJouiwQAAAMA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/10/microsoft_windows_11se/
[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YZKSPsQql4kFY50RJouiwQAAAMA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[15] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Seems like an afterthought
The reason that Apple's M1 developer kits are decent is because Apple is wholeheartedly behind M1. They fully understand what it is, why the market wants it, and are committed to it. They've communicated this well to the world.
It seems in this case Microsoft are doing their usual thing of having no real clue of where things are heading. Putting out 1 piece of sub-standard hardware on only their US site shows this. It's not something they believe is "the future". Then again, they never really understood how The Internet would be the future, as demonstrated by their countless failings from Online Services in Windows 95 onwards.
This story to me isn't really about the hardware, it's about Microsoft's classic half-arsed approach when they're clueless about the future of something... something in this case which could possibly have a very big future for everyone else.
It made me laugh when somebody above posted "Second hand 950xl hardware is easy to find on eBay.". No shit it's easy to find. Another afterthought (Windows + mobiles = fail). Nobody wanted it, that's why!
Re: Seems like an afterthought
Didn't Apple buy those Dev Kits back so the users effectively had them at almost zero cost before the real M1 hardware came out?
That shows a level of commitment that MS clearly lacks. 'No refunds...' shows lt all.
If MS can't (or won't) do better than this do they honestly deserve any success?
Answers on a pinhead please.
"Still, it's only a matter of time before somebody boots Linux on the thing"
Made me lol
Existing WoA hardware
A simple and cheaper option is to perform the development work using existing Windows on Arm hardware.
My first choice would be the Microsoft Lumia 950xl phone which already runs Windows (no longer supported). You could even use the docking station.
Second hand 950xl hardware is easy to find on eBay. I still use this as my main phone.
You might find this existing Github project useful. https://woa-project.github.io/LumiaWOA/