For end users and app developers, there's effectively no difference between an Intel-based machine and one with a Snapdragon processor under the hood. As PC Magazine notes, the ARM build of Windows 10 works its magic using a built-in emulator that translates instructions in realtime. Those translations are also cached so Win32 apps should get a performance boost over time. The setup also means that users with ARM-based Windows 10 machines won't be restricted to Windows Store apps, so they'll get a bit more variety than even the limited Windows 10 S platform. If manufacturers are able to hit the right price point when the devices debut later this year, an ARM-based Windows machine could even become a more attractive low-cost alternative to Chromebooks and tablets.

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