In a move to expand the options available to manufacturers, Microsoft has partnered with MediaTek to design an alternative chipset for Windows-on-ARM devices. This collaboration aims to offer a more diverse range of choices for consumers looking for Windows-powered laptops and tablets.

Currently, Microsoft is heavily promoting Windows-on-ARM with a series of Snapdragon X laptops from leading manufacturers such as Microsoft, Samsung, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. However, the tech giant is now seeking to explore new possibilities with different chipsets.

According to a report by Reuters, MediaTek will base its chipset on the standard library of ARM cores. This approach is expected to expedite the development process since the Snapdragon X laptops are built using Qualcomm-designed CPU and GPU.

Although it remains unclear whether the MediaTek design will qualify for Microsoft's Copilot+ program, which necessitates a minimum of 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of on-device AI compute power, this collaboration unveils a promising future for Windows-on-ARM devices.

Interestingly, the availability of MediaTek's chip for Windows devices is expected to be delayed until late next year, as insiders reveal that Qualcomm holds an exclusivity deal with Microsoft that remains in effect until 2025.

MediaTek already produces chips for Chromebooks under the brand "Kompanio," which may serve as a foundation for the development of the Windows chipset. The chipset will utilize standard ARM components, including Cortex CPU cores and Mali/Immortalis GPUs.

Furthermore, MediaTek has been reported to be assisting Nvidia in bringing an ARM-based chip for Windows devices to market. However, insiders clarify that these are separate projects altogether.

Adding to the growing number of options, it was reported last year by Reuters that AMD is also working on an ARM-based chip specifically designed for Windows devices. Presumably, AMD's offering will incorporate Radeon GPU technology, similar to the Exynos chips currently utilized (although the collaboration with Samsung is coming to an end).

With Microsoft's collaboration with MediaTek and ongoing efforts by other prominent players in the industry, such as Nvidia and AMD, the future of Windows-on-ARM devices appears to be gearing up for notable advancements. Consumers can anticipate a broader range of choices that cater to their specific needs and preferences.