AMD is doubling down on x86, asserting that the architecture now matches ARM even in areas once considered its strengths, like energy efficiency. The company used IFA 2025 to make the case that the recent wave of excitement around Windows on ARM was short-lived as AMD and Intel rolled out more efficient, more capable x86 laptops.
According to AMD, the long-standing myth that x86 can’t be efficient no longer holds up. Recent Ryzen and Intel Core notebooks deliver impressive battery life while maintaining full access to the vast x86 software ecosystem. In AMD’s view, when you consider the total package—performance, efficiency, compatibility, and availability—ARM no longer holds a clear advantage for Windows laptops.
ARM has undoubtedly been on a hot streak, powering Apple’s M-series and Qualcomm’s newer laptop chips. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite in particular signaled a serious challenge to x86 with strong performance and power claims. But the competitive response has been swift. Intel’s Lunar Lake platform brought big gains in efficiency and NPU capability, and AMD accelerated its APU roadmap with a focus on performance per watt and AI acceleration.
AMD’s latest Strix Point and Strix Halo APUs underline that push, earning traction in thin-and-light laptops, mini-PCs, and handheld gaming devices. On the AI front, AMD highlights the Ryzen 9 AI MAX 395+ with up to 126 TOPS of overall compute—figures it says outpace comparable ARM-based solutions for Windows machines. As a result, AMD argues the early momentum behind Windows on ARM has cooled as x86 platforms reclaimed leadership in key metrics that matter to buyers.
None of this means ARM is finished. The architecture remains formidable and continues to drive innovation across categories. But in consumer PCs—especially Windows laptops—x86 looks entrenched for the long haul, backed by upcoming generations like Intel’s Panther Lake and AMD’s Medusa Point that promise further advances in efficiency, performance, and on-device AI.
For shoppers, the takeaway is simple: modern x86 laptops combine long battery life, robust AI features, and broad software compatibility, making them a compelling choice even amid the renewed interest in ARM. And with both camps pushing hard on roadmaps, competition is only set to intensify—good news for anyone in the market for a new PC.
