Microsoft's announcement of the new 10-inch Surface Go was not entirely surprising with the earlier leaks having spoiled the reveal, but the question of processor maybe was. Microsoft and Qualcomm have been working closely on new Windows 10 on ARM devices including the forthcoming Snapdragon 850 announced only weeks ago. So, why is Microsoft using Intel over Qualcomm for its teeny mobile Surface? Here are a few reasons why it makes sense.

1. Timing is everything

Companies develop products with some knowledge of what processor makers are working on, but some of that is fluid, and it's all based on timing. Microsoft is aiming for an August 2 release for Surface Go in 25 markets. That's not a random date but planned for the back-to-school push. Surface Go is heavily focused on winning in the education market and doing that it needs to be released when people are getting ready to go back to school. Microsoft has been in this processor mid-cycle before The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is a sweet taste of what Windows 10 on ARM is capable of, but it's not ready for the masses. Moreover, the year-old chip is already being replaced by the tweaked Snapdragon 850, which is expected "later this year." Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more If Microsoft released Surface Go with a Snapdragon 835 in August many would have pointed out that the Snapdragon 850 – which is around 30 percent faster – is right around the corner. Now what? Do you sell the Surface Go with Snapdragon 835 and switch later to the 850 and hope no one notices – or cares? Or do you wait for the Snapdragon 850 and miss back to school and the important holiday season for 2018? Microsoft has been caught in this processor mid-cycle situation before. The Surface Pro (2017) and Surface Laptop was announced just as Intel's 8th generation Ultra-Low Voltage (ULV) chips were about to launch. Microsoft went with Intel's 7th generation, and those PCs have been there ever since. 2. ARM is not ready for schools and business

Windows 10 on ARM is a marathon, not a sprint. PC watchers should expect a slow, steady build-up of the new architecture from manufactures and retail over the next 24 months. Just don't assume that a new processor architecture will significantly displace the one we've all known for the last 20 years in a single quarter – or even ten. The biggest issue with Windows 10 on ARM is app compatibility and performance. Microsoft "solved" the ability to run classic desktop apps not recompiled for ARM64, but the execution is not nearly as smooth as natively compiled ARM apps (which is excellent). That performance issue can be solved with more powerful ARM chips and more developers embracing ARM64, but that's going to take time. Microsoft doesn't have that time if it wants an August 2018 launch. Schools and businesses depend more on legacy apps more than any consumers and at mass scale. At least with the Intel Pentium 4415Y processor in the Surface Go there are no "buts" when it comes to capability. 3. It's not the pricing