ARM processors and Graphisoft Software in General

[Nader Belal]

Hi there,
Lately I have seen a lot of talk about the coming new ARM processors, and specially those that would be Windows compatible (for lack of the proper terminology)

In few words, Snapdragon has created a processor that is almost as good as that of Apple's Silicone, Intel and AMD already have there own processors that is either under development or ready to ship if (by their words) the market conditions are right.
And yes, I´m aware that Microsoft Windows is still under development for ARM chips.

So what are Graphisoft's plans in this regards ? (at least in general)

Regards

[Jp1138]

There has been a Windows for ARM since 2017-18 or so, it just hasn´t gained much traction yet, being basically used in Microsoft Surface devices as far as I know. With the new allegedly AI centred processors it´s becoming more prominent. It may be interesting to know GS stance on the matter, though.

[thesleepofreason · Accepted solution]

According to this 2022 article they are looking at it, thinking seriously about it and have actually already bought the dev kit - wanting to be first in line when compatible OS arrives.

https://aecmag.com/bim/graphisofts-new-architecture-for-architecture/

[Nader Belal]

Nice catch.

In other words, they are on the fence, and seriously I think that is the smart thing to do right now

[Nader Belal]

That was a FLOP. It was made by the marketing geniuses in Microsoft cause it wanted to show muscle, and it was a total disaster.

[Christiaan_Gombert]

With a lot of Windows on ARM devices announced last week (as "Copilot+" PC's) things start getting real. Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops will arrive in stores as soon as June 2024. This time not only from the likes of Microsoft, but also OEM's like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung are on board. I think Archicad should really ready itself for Windows on ARM by now.

[archislave]

The development windows arm pc is out. I hear even non arm software performs equal or better on Windows for Arm. This is much like Rosetta 2 made macOS apps for X86 run well on Apple Silicon M Chips. Graphisoft will have it's hands full developing for Intel Mac, Arm for Mac, Windows for Intel, and Windows for Arm. We can sadly not look forward to bugs of different sorts on each of the four platforms until they cut off the Intel x86 and Intel Macs. 

[torben_wadlinger]

According to Linus Tech Tips the Snapdragon X Elite has 8 free PCI-Lines, so … it’s possible to hook up an "external" graphics card.

https://youtu.be/C0bEew9dqNs?feature=shared

This would totally ruin the power consuming advantage of ARM opposit to Intel/AMD but with the same electrical power in total you could use much more powerful GPU’s.