To reduce dependence on Intel technologies.
Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported that the world’s largest software maker is developing an ARM-based processor that will be used in servers for Microsoft Azure cloud services. Microsoft is also exploring the possibility of using a different chip in two future Surface computers.
The move is serious for Microsoft, Bloomberg notes. Cloud competitors like Amazon are already actively pushing these initiatives. They argued that their chips were better suited for certain things, providing cost and performance advantages over Intel solutions.
In recent years, Microsoft has been actively recruiting processor-savvy engineers, poaching employees from companies such as Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, and Qualcomm.
Microsoft is currently mostly using Intel processors, but some Surface devices have Qualcomm’s ARM. If the company really completely switches to processors of its own production, then it will do it after Apple.