Nvidia Set to Compete with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm in the Arm Processor Market
Nvidia, long synonymous with powerful GPUs, is reportedly preparing to make a significant push into the Arm-powered PC space, a move that could reshape the landscape of consumer computing. As Qualcomm accelerates its efforts in Arm-powered Windows laptops and mini PCs, Nvidia aims to broaden its market reach with a new line of Arm processors developed in partnership with MediaTek.
These new processors, which will carry the names N1 and N1X, are expected to arrive in 2025 and 2026, targeting Windows on Arm laptops and mini PCs. The N1 chip will reportedly be ready for release by the fourth quarter of 2025, with early forecasts suggesting three million units shipped in 2025 and a further 13 million in 2026. While these numbers are ambitious, Nvidia’s massive resources, fueled by its dominance in the AI sector, give the company the financial might to succeed where others have faltered.
While Nvidia’s focus with Project Digits at CES 2025 was on high-end AI-focused mini PCs, the shift to Arm-based processors suggests that Nvidia is looking beyond niche markets like AI and gaming. The company’s partnership with MediaTek is poised to make its Arm chips an integral part of Windows on Arm, offering an alternative to traditional Intel and AMD processors that dominate the market.
The Arm-powered PC market has been growing steadily, thanks in part to Qualcomm’s efforts and the expiration of Qualcomm’s exclusivity deal with Microsoft in 2024. Nvidia’s involvement in the space could see the emergence of a new competitor, and it remains to be seen whether the market will embrace Arm-powered devices in large volumes. If 2025 is any indication, this could be the year that Arm-powered PCs finally become a legitimate threat to the Intel-AMD dominance.