MediaTek, a leader in IC design, is developing an ARM-based PC chip that will run Microsoft’s Windows operating system, according to industry sources cited in a Reuters report. This strategic move aligns with Microsoft’s recent unveiling of a new generation of laptops powered by ARM-based chips, which are capable of running advanced AI applications.
Microsoft’s initiative to optimize Windows for ARM-based chips is seen as a direct challenge to Apple, which has successfully used ARM-based chips in its Mac computers for four years. This shift also threatens Intel’s long-standing dominance in the PC market.
Both MediaTek and Microsoft declined to comment on the development. However, industry insiders report that MediaTek’s new PC chip is scheduled for release by the end of next year, coinciding with the expiration of Qualcomm’s exclusive agreement to supply laptop chips. Utilizing ARM’s existing designs, MediaTek aims to expedite the development process, reducing the design workload significantly.
The new chip is part of MediaTek’s broader strategy in the PC domain. A recent TrendForce press release highlights that MediaTek, in collaboration with NVIDIA, is also developing an ARM chip featuring Wi-Fi 7 and 5G capabilities. This chip is set to enter the AI notebook market by the second quarter of 2025 and drive a wave of technological innovation post-2025. TrendForce forecasts that ARM chips could achieve over 20% market penetration by 2025.
The approval status of MediaTek’s chip for supporting Microsoft’s Copilot+ feature in Windows remains unclear. ARM executives have noted that while some clients have completed chip designs in about nine months using ready-made components, creating and testing advanced chips typically requires over a year for experienced designers.
