Acer plans to release chromebook r13 with windows 10 for arm

Microsoft surprised everyone by announcing that Windows 10 was going to be possible for ARM chips during 2017, and it seems that Acer wants to be one of the first to jump on the bandwagon.

Chromebook R13 would be one of the first to bring Windows 10 to ARM

Although it is still unclear if this is correct or simply an error on the Acer page, the official product site Acer Chromebook R13 lists Windows 10 as a choice of operating system over Chrome OS. Customers could opt for either of the two operating systems.

Could it be just a mistake?

What is worth knowing is that this laptop comes with a MediaTek M8173C ARM processor, so it could be one of the first devices that will bring Windows 10 to the ARM architecture. Again, we can't say for sure if it's a typo or Acer is indeed planning to release a version of Windows 10 for its R13 handheld.

As discussed in this official Windiws 10 thread on reddit, using a MediaTek processor could help keep the price as low as possible, at the cost of performance that compromises the smooth use of Microsoft's operating system. Of course, it remains to be seen how Windows 10 works in real life in this configuration, if it ever hits the shelves.

Several manufacturers are already working on similar implementations, and Microsoft is believed to be collaborating with Qualcomm on optimizing the Snapdragon 835 chip to run Windows 10 without too much trouble.

Additionally, the software giant could use the same chip in its long-awaited Surface Phone, which could be the company's first mobile phone to make the transition from Windows 10 Mobile to Windows 10.