The first Windows 8 PCs that will run under Snapdragon processors made by Qualcomm could be launched by the end of 2012. News.com reports that during a company investor meeting today in New York, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs said that the company is already working with Microsoft to ensure that its Snapdragon processors will work well with Windows 8. Microsoft announced earlier this year that Windows 8 will be made to run on ARM-designed processors such as the ones that Qualcomm makes.
Some people have already pointed out that a Windows 8 PC running on an ARM-based processor won"t be able to run older software programs designed for past Windows operating systems, which have been made to run on x86-based chips such as the ones made by Intel and AMD. But Qualcomm"s Chief Operating Officer Steve Mollenkopf said today that won"t be a problem for its Windows 8 PCs. Many of the more popular PC applications will be re-written to work on processors with the ARM design like the Snapdragon. He also said that other applications will move to the cloud server space which eliminates the need for any specific processor.
He added, "For the apps that you really care about, I don"t see it as a significant growth inhibitor in terms of ARM vs. Windows. I don"t think the impact is as significant as what others believe."