Highlights
- MediaTek to launch its first ARM chipset for Windows PCs in late 2025
- Qualcomm’s exclusivity deal with Microsoft for ARM-based Windows is expiring
- MediaTek and Nvidia collaborating on a new gaming chip
- ARM-based solutions are gaining momentum in the PC market
In the world of computer chips, only a few names have reigned supreme for a very, very long time: Intel, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm.
Joining this exclusive club is lesser-known but high-volume smartphone player MediaTek, which is getting ready to upset the established order with the late 2025 launch of an ARM chipset designed for Windows PCs-the first from the company.
As per a recent report: MediaTek will make an Arm-based chip for Windows PCs.
Qualcomm has reportedly had an exclusive agreement with Microsoft regarding making Arm chips for PCs, which is said to conclude at the end of this year.
MediaTek will reportedly release its Arm-based chip for PCs late in 2024.
The chip is said to be based on Arm’s ready-made designs.
MediaTek to Challenge Qualcomm
While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite has been getting much publicity as a potential “MacBook Air-beating” system-on-chip, MediaTek is not one to settle for allowing their rival all the fun in this market segment.
Apparently, the next-generation MediaTek processor will be targeting Microsoft’s Copilot Plus PC program with which Qualcomm had kick-started with the software giant.
The opportunity for MediaTek comes at a time when Microsoft’s exclusivity deal with Qualcomm for ARM-based flavors of Windows is expiring this year.
That opening has also interested other chipmakers, including Nvidia and AMD, which also plan to debut their own ARM PC chips in 2025.
MediaTek and NVIDIA Joining Hands
MediaTek’s foray into the PC chip market doesn’t end there because, along with its own offering, reports indicate that the Taiwan-based company is working with Nvidia for an entirely different chip; something that might also help in a gaming chip reportedly under development.
Although Nvidia itself is no stranger to designing its own ARM chips, such as the Tegra series inside the Nintendo Switch, it’s not immediately obvious why it would need a partnership with MediaTek to that end.
MediaTek is itself a “fabless” chipmaker, meaning that instead of fabricating chips it designs in-house, it buys “ready-made designs” from ARM and simply configures them into its own chips by building chips with pre-designed processing cores rather than engineering its own from scratch.
Apparently, this is a method that is becoming sought after because some anonymous ARM customer reportedly benefited from these readymade components and, within a record time of nine months, developed a chip.
This indicates that exciting development cycles are quite possible.
The PC business is gaining a lot of momentum presently, where various ARM-based solutions are on the rise.
If this were not enough, the sudden entry of MediaTek into this particular market segment may upset existing dynamics.
Although Intel, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm have each had long reigns, new blood with a different perspective and approach to innovate can create much-needed rivalry pushing chip designing and performance to a new level.
FAQs
When will MediaTek launch its ARM chipset for Windows PCs?
MediaTek plans to launch its first ARM chipset for Windows PCs in late 2025.
What opportunity does MediaTek have in the PC chip market?
With Qualcomm’s exclusivity deal with Microsoft expiring, MediaTek aims to enter the ARM-based Windows PC market alongside other chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD.
Is MediaTek collaborating with any other companies for chip development?
Yes, MediaTek is reportedly working with Nvidia on a new chip, potentially for a Steam Deck-sized gaming device.
Why is MediaTek’s entry into the PC chip market significant?
MediaTek’s entry into the PC chip market could disrupt the established dynamics dominated by Intel, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm, bringing new competition and innovation.
What is MediaTek’s approach to chip design?
As a fabless chipmaker, MediaTek buys ready-made designs from ARM and configures them into its own chips, allowing for rapid development cycles.
Also Read: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Could Revolutionise Flagship Smartphones with 4GHz Clockspeed
Also Read: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Set to Transform PCs with Next Windows Update in Mid-2024