Windows 2-in-1u2019s based on the Snapdragon 850, Qualcommu2019s first processor designed specifically for PC market, are now coming available. Though performance is much improved over first-generation Windows-on-Snapdragon systems, be forewarned: Compatible issues remain formidable. So youu2019ll still need a real PC. Credit: Lenovo Qualcomm, best known for cellular modems and ARM-based smartphone processors, has been making a push into the PC space. Always Connected PCs (ACPCs) have been available for much of the year, though 2-in-1s built around the company’s first processor designed specifically for PCs are just now coming to market. Are they worthy of your consideration? Not from what I’ve seen thus far. Unfortunately, what really sets the system apart is not the advertised all-day battery life or continuous connectivity. It’s the lack of compatibility. Indeed, on the eve of the annual Snapdragon Tech Summit, held in early December in Maui, compatibility is exactly what Qualcomm – as well as partners ARM and Microsoft, for that matter – will need to focus on if they ever hope to power laptops you might want to add to your fleet. And they sure have their work cut out for them. Qualcomm and Microsoft unveiled the Windows-on-Snapdragon initiative at last year’s summit, with new systems in tow from many of the top PC OEMs. Early devices were widely panned. Reviewers complained of compatibility issues as well as performance – not surprising, given that the processor was the Snapdragon 835, which worked great in high-end smartphones at the time, but was woefully underpowered for PC duty. So, Qualcomm responded with the 850, the company’s first purpose-built Snapdragon processor for laptops. I’ve been evaluating the first 850-based system, Lenovo’s Yoga C630 WOS (Windows on Snapdragon) since it first came to market last month. I’ve found the C630 WOS to be a decent companion PC – though with a starting price of $800, it costs substantially more than a companion should. But despite its price, the C630 WOS flat-out can’t be your only PC. Because it’s not only underpowered for some tasks. It’s also incompatible with many applications mobile workers need. So understand that any worker equipped with an 850-based Windows system will also need an x86 PC as well. There’s built-in cellular, which is nice. But a new eighth-generation Core i7 Windows 2-in-1 I’m also evaluating has LTE – from Qualcomm, in fact. I’ve been getting about eight to 10 hours between charges – about the same as the Core-based laptop. But with one critical difference: I do a whole lot more work on the x86 laptop. Because I can. And that, my friends, is the rub. See, the real Achilles’ heel of the C630 isn’t so much Snapdragon. It’s ARM, and its lack of compatibility with Windows. There are so many applications I take for granted that were limited or simply wouldn’t run – everything from printer drivers to VPNs to Photoshop. It’s clear what’s motivating the partners: Qualcomm and ARM want a piece of the $52 billion PC processor business, according to Mercury Research. And Microsoft would like a wide stable of processor vendors and architectures, to level the playing field. Microsoft has been down this road before, when it introduced Windows RT, the first ARM-based Windows variant, alongside Windows 8. The original Surface (and Surface 2) ran Windows RT, while the Surface Pro series was based on Intel processors. The problem was that RT was only compatible with applications in the new Windows Store, but wouldn’t run the desktop apps we all use. Suffice it to say, RT didn’t do too well. And Nvidia, which supplied the ARM processors inside the Microsoft Surface system, wisely moved on to greener pastures. Prospects aren’t much better for Windows-on-Snapdragon 2-in-1s. The systems are configured in “S mode,” which isn’t much different than RT. You can give up some performance and battery life to run desktop applications by migrating to regular Windows. But, as I discovered, there are still plenty of incompatible programs. I suspect it will be quite a while before those incompatibilities are resolved. Until they are, there is no reason to consider Windows-on-Snapdragon systems for your fleet. Because what good is all-day battery life if you also must tote a real laptop just to get the rest of your work done? Related content opinion Intel flexes AI processing muscle The insatiable demand for AI processing is giving rise to new alternatives, and Intel is answering the call. But is what the company offering enough to take share in the cloud and datacenter? By Mike Feibus Nov 18, 2019 4 mins Technology Industry Intel Artificial Intelligence opinion 3 ways WiFi 6 can revolutionize your network Lofty proclamations for what the emerging wireless standard will do for IoT donu2019t matter much to CIOs caring for the carpeted enterprise. But they will care about three new ways they can leverage WiFi 6 to retool for a much more reliable and cost By Mike Feibus Sep 06, 2019 3 mins Small and Medium Business Wi-Fi Mobile opinion Power(apps) to the people At its annual Build developer conference, Microsoft aims to please coders and front-line workers alike with its drag-and-drop Power app-building platform. By Mike Feibus May 10, 2019 3 mins Technology Industry Microsoft Mobile Apps opinion The beginning of the end for passwords Could we finally be on the verge of a ceasefire between employees, who want quick and easy access to their laptops at any cost, and IT managers, who need to secure those systems. This industry analyst thinks so. By Mike Feibus Apr 03, 2018 5 mins Passwords Authentication Technology Industry Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe