ARM-powered Windows laptops, including the Galaxy Book 4 Edge with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, are soon getting a native Google Drive app. The app is planned for Q4 2024 release, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed at IFA Berlin. The ongoing tech event also confirmed several new VPN apps for Snapdragon X PCs.
Google Drive and VPN apps coming to ARM-based Windows PCs this year
Most PC apps aren’t designed to run natively on ARM systems. To fill the gap, Windows uses a translation layer to emulate the x86_64 architecture. While this allows incompatible apps to run on laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and other ARM-based processors, you don’t get a fluid experience. After all, the apps you are using aren’t natively supported by your computer.
The list of unsupported apps is pretty huge, with some big names on it. Google Drive is certainly one of the biggest and most popular apps that doesn’t have a native ARM version. Many people have been refraining from buying ARM-powered PCs due to a poor app ecosystem. It appears the concerned parties are working on improving the scenario fast.
According to the Qualcomm CEO, a native Google Drive app is coming to your Galaxy Book 4 Edge and other ARM-powered laptops by the end of this year. NordVPN and ExpressVPN have also launched native apps for these Windows PCs. If VPN support is a critical factor for you while purchasing a laptop, you should no longer overlook ARM-powered machines.
Qualcomm also announced the launch of Snapdragon X Plus laptops at IFA Berlin. It’s a more affordable alternative to the X Elite, aimed at budget laptops. Samsung has already launched a 15.6-inch variant of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge with this chipset. The new laptop also brings downgrades in several other areas, including the display. It goes on sale next month.
