ARM-powered processors remain on track to capture approximately 13% of the lucrative PC market by 2015.
According to IDC analyst Shane Rau, the projection is based primarily on chips designed specifically for the PC space and does not include tablets.
Rau also confirmed the estimate was influenced by Microsoft’s recent decision to code an ARM-friendly version of Windows 8.
Obviously, ARM’s seemingly unstoppable march into x86-held territory poses a clear and present danger to both Intel and AMD.
Indeed, ARM exec James Bruce recently told TG Daily that Nvidia’s Project Denver and Microsoft’s support for RISC-based processors sends a “powerful message” to the industry about the future of ARM architecture.
However, Bruce emphasized x86 PCs were unlikely to disappear anytime soon, as ARM chips will (at least initially) help facilitate the creation of powerful next-gen smartphones and tablets to act as “accompanying” devices, rather than full-on replacements.
Still, Bruce seemed quite bullish about the prospect of low-powered, RISC-based ARM processors finding their way into an increasing number of servers.
“The entire industry is now realizing you can’t just keep on sucking power, whether from an environmentally green or purely financial perspective. And that is why we are working with partners to integrate ARM chips into server designs.”
Meanwhile, ARM’s current domination of the mobile market is unlikely to be (realistically) challenged any time soon, despite Intel’s adoption of 22-nanometer manufacturing technology.
“We do not believe the new 22nm technology will accelerate Intel’s offerings in the mid-term vis-à-vis ARM in the ultra-mobile space,” Bernstein Research analyst Stacy Rasgon opined in an investors note obtained by MarketWatch.
“While 22-nanometer may finally make Intel competitive vs. ARM on the power front, we would continue to expect 22-nanometer Atom-based solutions likely in the second half of next year. In the meantime, ARM providers continue to march up their own performance slopes.”
