Affordably test on Windows ARM

ECS LIVA QC710. © Elitegroup Computer Systems.

Developers who want to run tests on the ARM versions of Windows don’t have a lot of choice when it comes to hardware. At US$ 1,000, tablets like the Surface Pro X are a big investment for independent developers. Although running Windows 10 and 11 on a Raspberry Pi 4 is technically feasible, as we have seen recently, the performance leaves a lot to be desired. One possible solution is the ECS LIVA QC710, a Windows mini-PC equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor, currently available on the Microsoft Store for a relatively reasonable US$ 219. Made by Taiwanese ECS, the 119x117x35mm case (comparable to an Apple TV) comes with the ARM version of Windows 10 Home. Of course, at this price point, you can’t expect mindblowing performance, but it certainly beats a Pi 4. The device offers just 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, expandable only via microSD. Connectivity is limited to one 5 Gbps USB Type-A port, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, and a 100 Mbps Ethernet port, plus a USB-C port used for power. The Microsoft Store warns that “there are no refunds available on this product. This product is meant for developers, not consumers.”

⇨ Ars Technica, Andrew Cunningham, “$219 mini PC is the best, cheapest way for devs to try Windows on ARM.”

2021-11-16