How did Microsoft screw this up? - Surface Pro X (SQ2) vs M1 Macbook Air

In the opening section, the video frames the question of how Microsoft’s Surface Pro X with the SQ2 stacks up against Apple’s M1 powered MacBook Air, setting the stage with a historical view of ARM on desktop OS through Windows RT and Windows 10 on ARM. The host highlights the timing of the SPX SQ2 launch relative to the M1, noting that Microsoft shipped earlier but with a different strategy focused on software optimization and ARM design rather than first-party silicon. The discussion then moves into a comparison of feel and everyday usability, where both devices are described as fast for basic tasks, with quick wake times, solid battery life, and biometrics logins, while the MacBook Air edges ahead in many benchmarks due to Apple’s integrated ARM-to-x86 translation hardware and native ARM software support. The narrative continues by dissecting how the two ecosystems approach app availability, with Rosetta 2 on the M1 enabling strong performance for x86 apps, while Windows on ARM has lagged in x64 emulation and native ARM app adoption, which colors the overall experience. The host then documents a surprising twist: even when Windows 10 on ARM runs in a VM on the MacBook Air, it can outperform the native SPX in some scenarios, underscoring how software and virtualization tricks can sway perceived performance. The video closes with reflections on what Microsoft could do to close the gap, hints at upcoming in-house ARM silicon, and a nod to the broader ARM revolution, while emphasizing that the technology landscape is moving toward more powerful ARM-based PCs with improving software support. Viewers are left with a nuanced takeaway: native ARM efficiency and stronger software ecosystems are driving Apple forward, but there is potential for Microsoft to close the gap with deeper optimization and future hardware development.

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