Microsoft recently confirmed the exciting news that Adobe Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects will be getting native ARM64 versions for Qualcomm Snapdragon laptops. This development is set to significantly enhance the capabilities of Windows on Arm PCs, providing a major boost for creators.

The initial batch of PCs equipped with Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors has started shipping, marking the beginning of a new era for Arm-based chips. While these processors offer impressive performance, they currently require an emulation layer to run certain apps, which can lead to decreased performance and efficiency.

Adobe has announced plans to release Arm-native versions of Illustrator and InDesign in July 2024, followed by Arm versions of Premiere Pro and After Effects later in the same year. This move is expected to streamline the user experience for creators using devices such as the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7.

Although some of Adobe’s apps are already optimized for Arm64, key software like Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and After Effects are currently not available in native Arm versions. However, with the upcoming releases, users can look forward to enhanced performance and efficiency when working with these applications on Windows on Arm PCs.

Aaron Woodman, VP of Windows Marketing, revealed during a briefing attended by Windows Central that Illustrator and InDesign will be the first Adobe apps to receive native Arm versions in July 2024. Premiere Pro and After Effects will follow suit with Arm-native versions expected to launch later in the same year.

The introduction of more Adobe apps tailored for Arm architecture is poised to benefit creators and further establish the appeal of top Copilot+ PCs. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom have already transitioned to ARM64 native versions, paving the way for a seamless user experience on the platform since their arrival in late 2020.

While the first wave of Copilot+ PCs has hit the market, additional devices powered by Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus are on the horizon. These processors offer enhanced battery life and efficiency compared to their x86 counterparts, but the need for emulation for non-native apps can impact performance.

Microsoft’s Prism emulation layer is a technological feat; however, it falls short of the performance levels achieved when running apps natively. Despite this, lighter applications can still deliver satisfactory performance when emulated, with the goal being to reach a point where users do not notice any difference in performance between native and emulated apps.

While progress is being made in this direction, there is still work to be done, especially concerning specific applications. The transition to native Arm versions for key Adobe software represents a significant step forward in optimizing performance and efficiency for creators using Windows on Arm PCs.

In conclusion, the arrival of native ARM64 versions of Adobe Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects for Qualcomm Snapdragon laptops marks a significant milestone for the Windows on Arm ecosystem, promising enhanced capabilities and performance for users.