Experts are betting big on PCs with ARM processors. Should you?:
SHI’s experts agree: ARM is a computing revolution. It could even mean the end of x86.

A revolution is spreading throughout the world of end-user computing (EUC). Quietly but decisively, ARM processors are infiltrating the very core of computing, setting up a direct challenge to the longstanding dominance of x86 processors.
SHI’s EUC experts believe the ARM architecture isn’t just a competitor to x86, but potentially the harbinger of a seismic shift that could redefine computing paradigms.
But is the world — and enterprise IT — ready for this change? Let’s explore why ARM is crucial and consider the counterpoints that make its widespread adoption far from guaranteed.
The case for ARM: Why experts are betting big
Dave Gruver and Adam Reiser, two AI thought leaders from SHI, argue that ARM is much more than an experimental platform. ARM processors, they explain, boast several advantages over traditional x86 architectures. ARM is lightweight, incredibly power-efficient, and capable of handling advanced AI-driven workloads. These attributes make it a natural fit for modern endpoints like laptops, mobile devices, and even AI-specific hardware.
ARM’s dominance in mobile computing underscores its capabilities. Your smartphone, packed with AI features like real-time translation and computational photography, is likely powered by an ARM processor.
And as AI evolves, the enterprise focus on large language models (LLMs) is giving way to smaller, sophisticated models, multimodal type models, AI-based simulations, and agents that can execute isolated tasks. As AI workloads become essential to productivity, ARM offers a compelling promise: unmatched efficiency combined with cutting-edge performance.
Gruver also points out a growing alignment among software vendors to support ARM-based platforms. Currently, about 86% of Windows applications can run on ARM processors — a substantial improvement compared to just a few years ago. The benefits extend to battery life, environmental sustainability, and enterprise flexibility, all while reducing dependency on resource-hungry data centers.
Barriers to ubiquity
However, the road to ARM dominance is anything but straightforward. The remaining 14% of software incompatibility looms large, particularly for legacy enterprise applications that underpin critical operations in sectors like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.
These applications, designed with x86 at their core, create a form of “technical debt” that isn’t easily reconciled.
For many organizations, the idea of transitioning to ARM isn’t just a technological challenge—it’s an existential risk. As Reiser aptly notes, “Legacy systems hold enterprises back, creating a gap that ARM processors may struggle to close.” If foundational applications fail to adapt, the promise of ARM could remain unrealized for much of the enterprise landscape.
There’s also the issue of market inertia. IT leaders are understandably wary of yet another platform shift after decades of x86 dominance. While ARM’s cost and energy advantages are evident, they are often counterbalanced by the fear of an “incompatibility tax” — hidden costs in re-architecting systems, training staff, and integrating multiplatform environments.
Is ARM the end of x86?
Here’s where things get contentious. Could ARM processors ever completely replace x86? Gruver and Reiser suggest a shift may already be underway. ARM’s foothold in mobile and IoT markets, coupled with its increasing presence in laptops and even data centers, paints a picture of inevitable expansion.
And yet, x86’s legacy of adaptability persists. Time and again, Intel and AMD have responded to competitive threats with innovations that have kept x86 relevant. From hybrid architectures to AI accelerators, x86 may not be out of the fight just yet.
And even if or when ARM’s domination of x86 comes, enterprises heavily invested in x86 ecosystems will demand clear and immediate return on investment (ROI) before committing to wholesale changes.
The pragmatic middle ground
The likely future isn’t an either/or scenario, but rather a hybrid model where ARM and x86 coexist. As Gruver and Reiser emphasize, persona-based device strategies and workload-specific architectures could allow businesses to leverage the strengths of both platforms. For example, ARM could dominate battery-sensitive environments like laptops and mobile devices, while x86 retains its stronghold in legacy-bound enterprise workloads.
Agile startups may lead the charge in optimizing software for cross-platform compatibility, bridging the gap between ARM and x86. Meanwhile, enterprise IT teams must adopt a flexible, adaptive mindset to navigate this shift.
A call to ARMs
For IT leaders and technologists, the writing is on the wall: ARM processors aren’t just mobile phenomena. They’re a platform poised to redefine computing, provided their ecosystem can mature fast enough to accommodate enterprise complexities.
But waiting too long to adapt could leave businesses stranded with outdated technology and missed opportunities.
As our experts suggest, the time to explore ARM’s potential is now. Whether through test labs, small-scale deployments, or hybrid strategies, organizations must start experimenting with this emerging powerhouse. The risk of sticking with x86 alone may soon outweigh the challenges of transition.
Luckily, SHI’s Advanced Generative AI Labs are here to help you close the gap on innovation and adopt new technologies without disruption to your business.
To learn how to our AI labs can help prepare you for the future of ARM processors, contact our experts today.
As SHI’s Field CTO, Dave Gruver drives technical strategies and delivers effective solutions for our customers. Dave has over 30 years’ experience in enterprise IT and takes pride in helping organizations rapidly transform their technologies and processes to best support hybrid workforces.
With a proud 20+ year history at SHI, Adam Reiser is the Director of our End User Compute practice. His team includes pre-sales support and partnerships for all business units and top EUC partners worldwide.