Over the past few years, there have been significant changes in the computer processor market. While Intel processors have long dominated the PC market, that monopoly is slowly fading as ARM-based processors are rapidly gaining popularity. For our readers’ information—no, this isn’t about fruit! ARM stands for a computer processor architecture, not “arm” the body part. In 2024, we’re seeing many PC manufacturers introducing more ARM-based processors to the market. In this article, we’ll discuss a comparison between Intel and ARM processors, the current state of the market, and future trends.

Intel: “My performance will leave you amazed!”

ARM: “Oh really? My battery life will keep your eyes wide open all day!”

The Origin Story of ARM

ARM, which stands for “Acorn RISC Machine,” was invented by the British company Acorn Computers in 1983. Its main objective was to create a high-efficiency, low-power microprocessor architecture. In the early 1980s, Acorn Computers became popular in Britain with the BBC Micro—a computer widely used in education. However, Acorn realized that to build more powerful computers, they would need a new kind of processor. At that time, most processors were based on CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer), designed for complex instructions. But Acorn’s engineers started working on a new concept: RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer). In 1985, they developed the first ARM1 processor, which was extremely simple and highly energy-efficient. Later, the ARM2 processor was launched in 1987, offering more advanced features and 32-bit processing power. Acorn’s ARM processors quickly became popular due to their low power consumption and high efficiency. In 1990, Acorn Computers, VLSI Technology, and Apple formed a joint venture—ARM Holdings—which was a crucial step towards commercializing the ARM processor.

Apple used ARM processors in its Newton PDA device, which turned out to be a major success. The processor’s low power consumption and performance made it ideal for mobile devices and embedded systems. ARM’s greatest success came in the 2000s, as demand in the mobile phone market surged. Nokia and later Apple’s iPhone adopted ARM processors. ARM quickly became the processor architecture of choice for smartphones, as it could deliver high performance while using little power.

ARM Today: Currently, ARM processors are used in billions of devices worldwide—including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart devices, and even supercomputers. ARM architecture is popular because of its scalability, efficiency, and its open licensing model. ARM Holdings doesn’t manufacture processors directly; instead, it licenses its architecture to other companies, allowing ARM to spread across the globe.

The Origin Story of Intel

Intel is one of the world’s leading microprocessor manufacturers and a pioneer in semiconductor technology. Intel Corporation was founded in 1968 in Mountain View, California, by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, both of whom previously worked at Fairchild Semiconductor, where they were involved in silicon-based semiconductor devices. Originally focused on making memory chips, Intel soon shifted its attention to microprocessor development. Intel’s first major breakthrough happened in 1971 when they released the 4004—the world’s first microprocessor. This was a 4-bit processor that integrated a full central processing unit (CPU) onto a single chip. This invention revolutionized computer technology and marked a new era for Intel. In 1974, Intel launched the 8080 processor—an 8-bit chip with greater capabilities, which became popular in early microcomputers.

The Rise of x86 Architecture: In 1978, Intel introduced the 8086 processor, marking the beginning of the x86 architecture. This was a 16-bit processor, and the x86 architecture soon began gaining popularity. In 1981, IBM used Intel’s 8088 processor in its first personal computer (PC), sparking a revolution and quickly establishing x86 as an industry standard.

Intel’s Dominance and Processor Development: Continuing to advance its processor architecture, Intel rolled out a series of successful processors in the 1980s and 1990s—including the 80286, 80386, and 80486. In 1993, Intel launched its Pentium processor, which became a milestone and made Pentium a highly recognizable brand.

In the following years, Intel continued increasing the power of its processors and developing even faster and stronger models, such as Pentium II, Pentium III, and Pentium 4. Intel’s processors set benchmarks for the computer industry, and their x86 architecture became the mainstream processor architecture for desktop and laptop computers.

Intel in the Modern Era: In the mid-2000s, Intel launched its Core series processors, providing even better performance and energy efficiency. The Core i3, i5, and i7 models became industry standards for desktops and laptops. However, in the modern era, Intel faces new challenges—especially from the expansion of ARM architecture, which became ideal for mobile devices and embedded systems. Still, Intel continues to invest in increasing processor power and pioneering new technologies, such as 10nm and 7nm process technology.

Current Market Statistics

Intel:

• As of 2024, Intel still holds the top position in the PC processor market, though its market share is decreasing slightly.
• In 2023, Intel’s market share was about 72%, down roughly 8% from the previous year.
• Intel is striving to stay competitive through its new architectures, such as Alder Lake and Meteor Lake.

ARM:

• ARM-based processors are steadily gaining popularity, especially in ultra-portable laptops, tablets, and some desktops.
• In 2023, ARM processors accounted for about 13% of the PC market, expected to rise to 18-20% by the end of 2024.
• ARM processor adoption is growing at an average annual rate of around 25%.

Leading Manufacturers

Apple:

• Apple has revolutionized the Mac computer market with ARM-based processors, such as the M1, M2, and M3 chips.
• By mid-2024, Apple’s MacBooks powered by M-series chips claimed about 10% of the global laptop market.

Qualcomm:

• Qualcomm is also a major player in the ARM PC market, having developed Snapdragon 8cx series chips for Windows on ARM devices.
• Qualcomm has partnered with manufacturers like Microsoft, Dell, and Lenovo to create ARM-based laptops and 2-in-1 devices.

MediaTek and Samsung: Both MediaTek and Samsung are entering the ARM-based laptop market. MediaTek is focusing on budget and mid-range devices, while Samsung uses Exynos chips in specific regions.

Intel vs ARM: Performance Comparison

Power Efficiency: ARM processors are generally more energy-efficient, delivering longer battery life—making them ideal for mobile computing.

Performance:

• Intel processors still lead in computational power for complex applications and gaming.
• Apple’s M-series chips offer performance comparable to Intel’s Core i7 and i9, surpassing them in some benchmarks.

Software Compatibility:

• Intel processors offer the advantage of longstanding software optimization and compatibility.
• Software often needs to be recompiled or emulated for ARM processors, though Apple has made significant progress with Rosetta 2.

Future Outlook

ARM’s Expansion:

• ARM processors will continue to expand in the market, especially as more software becomes optimized for ARM architecture.
• ARM processors are likely to dominate the ultra-portable market and, as their performance improves, see wider use in desktops as well.

Intel’s Response: Intel is investing in new architectures and AI accelerators to maintain its lead in the high-performance PC market.

Impact on Consumers:

• Consumers will have more choices between devices offering a range of performance and battery life to suit different needs.
• ARM-based devices may become more affordable, helping to intensify market competition due to their lower production and energy costs.

Let’s take a look at some key differences between the two:

Feature	Intel Processor	ARM Processor
Origin	Intel Corporation, 1968	Acorn Computers (now ARM Holdings), 1983
Architecture	CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)	RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
Power Consumption	High power consumption, usually in desktops and laptops	Low power consumption, typically in mobile devices and embedded systems
Performance	High performance, especially for multi-threaded applications	Energy-efficient performance, best suited for battery-reliant devices
Main Market	Desktops, laptops, servers, and gaming computers	Smartphones, tablets, embedded systems, and some laptops
Architecture Licensing	Intel manufactures and markets its own processors	ARM only provides architecture licenses; other companies manufacture the processors
Multi-core Processing	Multi-core processors, especially for high-performance tasks	Multi-core processors, with more emphasis on energy efficiency
Main Competitors	AMD, ARM	x86 (Intel & AMD), RISC-V
Devices Used In	Desktops, laptops, servers	Smartphones, tablets, smart devices, embedded systems
Technological Innovations	Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost, 3D Transistor	Big.LITTLE architecture, designed for low power consumption

Conclusion

The competition between Intel and ARM is bringing significant changes to the PC market, opening up many new options for consumers. As ARM processors continue to improve and gain stronger software support, they could claim a greater share of the PC market. The next few years will determine whether ARM can truly rival Intel, or if Intel will maintain its stronghold in high-performance computing.

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