According to Bloomberg report earlier this day states that Microsoft is now in the process of developing its own ARM CPU designs, they will build their infrastructure based on the path of Apple’s M1 mobile CPU and Amazon’s Graviton datacentre CPU.
Bloomberg claims to spread the word based off-record conversations with the Microsoft employees, their identity is not disclosed. According to them Microsoft is currently working on the development of ARM CPU designs and developing its own ARM processor for datacenter and exploring different possibilities of another for its Surface line of mobile PCs.
Bloomberg’s sources wisely pointed out Microsoft’s datacenter efforts part as “more likely” and a Surface devices part as “possible.” This seems reasonable, provided that Microsoft’s chip design unit reports to the Microsoft Azure cloud VP, with absolutely no direct linkage to the reporting of the Surface division. However, representatives of Microsoft declined to comment on any specific plans of whether Microsoft is working on server or PC processors. Instead, preferred to say that they’ll invest in their own capabilities in areas of design, manufacturing and tools. They will also foster their relationship with a wide range of chip providers.
It is highly noticeable the fact that Microsoft has deep partnerships with Intel, AMD, and now Qualcomm, hence this would be a sensitive topic for the software giant. With very few anonymous sources it is too early to make final verdict about Microsoft’s actual plans.
Maybe Microsoft’s IT Consultants is still co-developing designs with existing hardware partners like Qualcomm, the same way it has with the SQ1 and SQ2 processors in Surface Pro X. For instance, if Microsoft does follow the footsteps of Apple’s and Amazon’s direction in designing its own custom ARM processors.
Even if Bloomberg’s report proves to be 100 percent precise and true, the outcome is likely to be to follow Amazon’s lead as compared to Apple’s. Although Amazon constricted its supply chain by producing its own Graviton hardware, its software ecosystem still remains open—without solid Linux operating system support, a server’s future in a datacenter is very poor indeed.
It is highly possible that Microsoft will face the same challenges with a datacentre-focused product, and for similar reasons—although the “less likely” Surface ecosystem would be considerably less constrained.
Even if Microsoft is actually going to develop its own infrastructure for ARM CPU design, let’s just admire that fact that their Microsoft Office 365 services are offered worldwide.
