The Future of Campus Computing: A Comprehensive Guide to ARM in Higher Education

Key takeaways

• ARM devices offer mobility, energy efficiency, and future-proofing, ideal for modern HE environments.
• But HE institutions must safeguard access to specialist Windows applications, ensure driver and peripheral compatibility and plan device segmentation.
• With AppsAnywhere’s ARM-aware features, universities can expand device choice (including ARM devices) without compromising software delivery reliability or adding complex dual-delivery systems.
• As you approach your next hardware refresh or Windows 11 migration, now is the time to build an ARM-capable strategy built on a delivery platform like AppsAnywhere.
• By aligning your application-delivery infrastructure with ARM-device readiness, you’re enabling not just device flexibility, but putting your institution in a position of leadership in student experience, operational agility and technology innovation.

Higher education IT teams face mounting pressure: support BYOD (bring-your-own-device), enable flexible hybrid learning, provide access to specialist Windows applications, and manage increasingly mobile, efficient hardware landscapes. Into this mix comes a major shift in PC architecture: the rise of ARM architecture (commonly referred to as “ARM” or “Windows on ARM”) and its implications for software delivery in universities and colleges.

This guide is aimed at IT professionals working in higher education (HE). It will offer an in-depth, educational look at ARM devices, their benefits and challenges in an HE context, and how AppsAnywhere supports institutions in integrating ARM architecture into their IT infrastructure.

What is ARM (and “Windows on ARM”)?

ARM architecture: a refresher

ARM architecture is a family of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) processor designs known for energy efficiency, low power draw, and suitability to mobile/always-connected devices.

Historically, ARM chips powered many mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and are increasingly used in laptops and hybrid PCs.

In the context of PCs, ARM-based Windows devices aim to deliver long battery life, rapid wake/instant-on behaviour, always-connected features (e.g., built-in eSIM/cellular) and lightweight form-factors.

Windows on ARM (WoA)

“Windows on ARM” refers to versions of Microsoft’s Windows OS (e.g., Windows 11) designed to run on ARM-based processors instead of the traditional x86/x64 Intel/AMD architecture.

These devices often include native ARM64 applications (compiled specifically for ARM) and an emulation layer to run legacy x86/x64 applications.

Microsoft supports Windows 11 on ARM and promotes benefits such as always-connected PCs, better battery life, and an expanding native application ecosystem.

Why this matters for higher education

For universities and colleges, the architecture change signals both opportunity and challenge: on one hand, students increasingly expect mobility, device choice, long battery life and flexible access; on the other, IT teams must ensure critical Windows applications (some legacy, some high-performance, some specialist) still run reliably. ARM devices thus become a major topic in the HE IT strategy.

Benefits of ARM devices in higher education

1. Energy efficiency and longer battery life

ARM-based devices consume less power and can deliver longer battery life compared to many traditional x86 laptops. This is a strong fit for students and staff who are mobile, working across campuses, or between classes/halls.

2. Always-on / instant on connectivity

Many ARM-based Windows devices include integrated cellular connectivity (4G/5G, eSIM) and support for rapid wake/resume, much like a mobile device. For HE institutions, this means improved flexibility for hybrid learning, field work, or off-campus access.

3. Modern device choice and student flexibility

Students increasingly bring their own devices. ARM hardware broadens the device ecosystem: lighter form-factors, tablets convertible to laptops, more flexibility. This aligns with BYOD or hybrid-lab models in higher education.

4. Sustainability and refresh opportunities

Because ARM devices can have lower power draw, less reliance on heavy cooling, and longer battery lifespans, they align with institutional goals around sustainability, lifecycle management and cost of ownership.

5. Future architecture alignment

Given industry momentum toward ARM (e.g., in mobile, data-centre, and increasingly PC spaces), choosing ARM-capable software-delivery strategies now may future-proof parts of the device ecosystem.

6. Student experience and equity

For students who can’t afford the latest and most powerful device, being able to access applications on their phone or ipad removes barriers to their learning. Likewise, accessing a powerful ARM device on campus will increase the value they derive from their education, reduce technology related frictions, and enable them to have the same opportunities as their peers.

Challenges and considerations for HE IT

However, despite the promise, ARM adoption in higher education is not without major caveats, especially because HE environments tend to have specialist requirements (labs, niche software, research workloads). Below are some key considerations for IT teams:

Compatibility of legacy or specialist software

Not all software is compatible with ARM-devices. Many Windows applications (especially older, niche, lab-centric or driver-dependent) are built for x86/x64. While some run via emulation, or are being ported to ARM64, gaps remain.

HE IT often support legacy software used in labs (engineering, science, simulation, CAD etc.) rather than just standard productivity tools.

Virtualization solutions (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper-V) may have limited support or performance on ARM devices. Many specialist drivers or plug-ins may not yet be ARM-compatible.

Performance and workload suitability

While ARM has improved, for heavy compute workloads (compiling large codebases, simulation, CAD/CAE, GPU-intensive research) traditional x86 workstation machines may still outperform ARM devices. Institutions must assess which device types map to which workloads.

Emulation overhead: When apps run via emulation on ARM rather than natively, performance may degrade, especially for demanding workloads.

Peripherals and drivers

ARM-based Windows devices require drivers compiled for the ARM64 architecture. If a peripheral (printer, scanner, specialty lab instrument) lacks ARM64 drivers, it may not function fully.

This is a major risk in labs for scan devices, measurement instrumentation, USB dongles, virtualization host hardware etc.

Virtualisation, VDI and lab environments

HE institutions often rely on VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) or cloud-labs to support heterogeneous devices. ARM adds complexity because ecosystem maturity is less than x86. For example: licensing, performance, support, specialist software integration may be even more complex on ARM.

If ARM device support is weak, institutions could end up investing additional layers (Azure AVD, Citrix, VMware Horizon, or cloud streaming) to ensure software compatibility, which increases cost and complexity.

Readiness and ecosystem maturity

Although improvements have been substantial, the ARM PC ecosystem is still less mature than x86. Certain niche workloads, drivers or software may lag.

IT teams may need to acquire new troubleshooting skills specific to ARM devices (architecture differences, emulation layers, driver issues).

Universities may therefore face transitional complexity and should approach ARM adoption with a clear strategy (pilot, segmentation of device types, mapping to workloads).

Windows 11 transition and hardware refresh alignment

Many institutions are still working through the move to Windows 11. ARM adoption may be aligned with the hardware refresh cycle, providing an opportunity, but also risk if not all software is ready. For example, some institutions have delayed Windows 11 adoption due to complexity. Device compatibility, application testing and driver readiness become vital parts of the refresh strategy.

ARM in higher education: what IT leaders should know

Device deployment strategies

• Identify which workloads are suitable for ARM vs which require traditional x86/x64 hardware. For example: mobile student laptops, standard productivity vs research labs with simulation/CAD might differ.
• Consider BYOD and lab/dock models: ARM devices might allow students to bring lightweight devices and still get access to campus software (provided delivery layer supports compatibility).
• Segment device fleet: e.g., standard teaching devices may be ARM; high-performance labs remain x86.
• Map device lifecycles: if you are due for a refresh in the next academic year, ARM may be considered as part of the hardware mix.

Mitigate software delivery challenges

• Catalog all applications: classify by native ARM support, emulation compatibility, driver dependencies, virtualization requirement. Use compatibility databases (e.g., Works on Windows on Arm).
• Perform pilot and validation: test critical niche software on ARM devices (including peripherals, lab instrumentation).
• Develop fallback strategies: For incompatible applications, strategize using virtual desktops (x86 VDI), cloud streaming, or device segmentation.
• Training and support: Ensure your help desk and technicians understand ARM-specific support issues (drivers, emulation, device identifiers).
• Driver/peripheral inventory: Especially in labs, verify all required hardware has ARM64 driver support.
• Cost, sustainability and future readiness
• Consider how the total cost of ownership (TCO) benefits: longer battery life, less cooling, less energy consumption, lighter devices may reduce operational costs or improve student experience.
• Sustainability credentials: ARM devices can contribute to carbon reduction goals via lower power draw.
• Future-proofing: As ARM architecture continues to expand (including into data centre and PC markets) investing in cross-architecture delivery capability now positions institutions well for future devices and hybrid environments.

The Windows 11 and hardware refresh challenge

• If your institution is preparing for Windows 11 deployment or a major device refresh (e.g., for the next academic year), this is a strategic moment to evaluate ARM.
• Ensure compatibility of your software catalogue with Windows11 + ARM and include this in your roadmap. Microsoft identifies limitations and provides guidance for Windows on ARM devices (e.g., driver availability, emulation).
• Use the refresh for device rationalisation: map device-classes (student laptop, faculty device, lab workstation) to appropriate architecture and software delivery methods.
• Take the opportunity to optimise delivery and deployment pipelines, ensuring device-agnostic access, cloud-ready options, and BYOD support.

How AppsAnywhere Supports ARM Adoption in Higher Education

Here is how AppsAnywhere plays a pivotal role, enabling HE IT teams to take advantage of ARM-based devices while mitigating many of the challenges.

Device-agnostic delivery and automatic detection

With its version 3.4 release and the 2.5 Windows client update, AppsAnywhere can automatically detect when a user is on a Windows ARM device and deliver applications accordingly.

This means when a student or staff member uses an ARM-based device, the platform can adapt delivery method (e.g., ensuring that only ARM-compatible or emulated versions of applications are offered). This removes the guess work and automates optimising for device type.

Application compatibility management

AppsAnywhere allows IT teams to specify whether individual applications or delivery methods are compatible with ARM architecture, providing control and mitigating risk.

For HE, where labs or critical specialist apps need guaranteed compatibility, this feature means you can enforce or flag device-architecture restrictions (e.g., deliver x86 version only to x86 devices, or redirect ARM devices to VDI).

This reduces the burden on help desk and ensures consistent user experience across device types.

Supporting mobility, BYOD and device choice

By enabling delivery to ARM devices (alongside traditional x86), AppsAnywhere supports a wider device-horizon: students or staff can bring ARM laptops or tablets and still access required Windows applications seamlessly.

This aligns with trending student expectations: use your own device; work anytime, anywhere. When your software delivery layer knows how to handle ARM devices, BYOD becomes more viable and easier to manage.

Simplifying infrastructure and supporting sustainability

Because AppsAnywhere enables a single platform to deliver to multiple device architectures (including ARM), IT teams are not forced into complex and parallel delivery channels (one for ARM, one for x86). This reduces overhead, licensing duplication and infrastructure fragmentation. But mostly, saved time and effort.

Investing in future readiness

With ARM device adoption growing (and Microsoft/MS/ARM ecosystem enhancements continuing), universities that adopt enabling platforms like AppsAnywhere position themselves for next gen hardware rollout, hybrid work-study models, and future device lifecycle refreshes.

The earlier you build an architecture-agnostic application delivery platform, the smoother your transition to ARM-heavy device classes will be.

Practical steps for HE IT teams using AppsAnywhere + ARM devices

Here are actionable recommendations for institutions that want to adopt ARM devices and leverage AppsAnywhere to make it work.

Audit current software catalogue

• Catalogue all applications in use (student desktops, lab workstations, staff machines).
• For each, assess compatibility: native ARM64 build? x86/x64 only? Driver/peripheral dependencies? Virtualisation requirement?
• Use resources such as Works on Windows on ARM.

Segment device classes by architecture and workload

• Determine which users/devices are suitable for ARM: e.g., general-purpose student laptops, staff mobile devices, lightweight faculty devices.
• Maintain x86/x64 workstations for high-performance labs, simulation/CAD, virtualization heavy use.

Configure AppsAnywhere for architecture awareness

• Ensure your AppsAnywhere Windows client is updated (v2.5 or newer) and compatible with ARM auto-detection.
• In AppsAnywhere, specify delivery/method rules: e.g., flag applications not compatible with ARM, redirect ARM devices to VDI/streaming.
• Test workflows: ensure that when an ARM device connects, the delivery logic behaves correctly (e.g., offers correct version, or redirects if needed).

Pilot with ARM devices

• Deploy a small fleet of ARM-based Windows 11 devices to a user group (e.g., incoming students, staff cohort) with AppsAnywhere configured.
• Test both standard productivity apps and specialized lab applications. Validate performance, compatibility, user experience, battery/ connectivity benefits.
• Gather feedback from users and help desk on ARM-specific issues (drivers, peripheral compatibility, emulation performance).

Plan driver & peripheral strategy

• For each lab/peripheral device (printers, scanners, USB dongles, measurement hardware), confirm ARM64 driver availability.
• For devices without ARM drivers, implement fallback: either keep x86 device pool or use VDI/streaming for specific software.

Communicate to stakeholders

• Prepare communication to students and staff: explain that new ARM device support is in place, what it means (longer battery life, lightweight devices), but also set expectations regarding software compatibility and lab access.
• Ensure students and staff know how to use AppsAnywhere and roll out awareness communications provided in the onboarding marketing pack.

Align with refresh cycle and Windows 11 migration

• If you are moving to Windows 11 or refreshing devices next academic year, incorporate ARM-capable devices into procurement strategy.
• Include AppsAnywhere architecture-agnostic delivery in your roadmap.

Monitor and evolve

• Use AppsAnywhere Analytics to track device types, delivery success, application failures on ARM vs x86.
• Adjust rules and delivery options based on actual data: e.g., flag any apps failing frequently on ARM and treat them accordingly.
• Stay abreast of the ARM ecosystem: native versions of applications continue to grow (e.g., Native ARM versions of Office, Chrome etc.).

How will you embrace the ARM innovation?

For IT teams in higher education, ARM devices are not just a hardware trend, they represent a shift in how students and staff access software, how device fleets are managed, and how institutions deliver flexible, mobile-friendly learning. But the transition cannot be taken lightly: compatibility, peripherals, software delivery and lab-workload suitability all need careful planning.

That’s where AppsAnywhere comes in. By enabling architecture-aware delivery, automatic device detection, application-compatibility logic and a unified platform across device types, AppsAnywhere empowers institutions to embrace ARM devices now, while still supporting legacy workloads and improving student experience.

Book a demo to see how AppsAnywhere performs with your ARM devices.