> > It seems like ARM processors will destroy x86 before too long.  Does
> > anyone think this won't happen?
> >
> > - Grant
>
> Yes me.
>
> ARM will take over where it makes sense and won't where it doesn't.
>
> For desktops and laptops, x86 was used simply because there was nothing
> else, so x86 is going to have to fight for it's survival in the
> whole bottom and middle range there.
>
> x86 has already lost the fight in the portable market (phones, tablets)
> and truth be told never really got going there.
>
> For everything else, I don't see ARM making much inroads. There's a hug
> server market out there for things with computing grunt and the
> software that drives them - x86 isn't going away in that market anytime
> soon.
>
> But this is an old, old, old argument. People predicted the demise of
> mainframes for years when x86 started becoming a quite powerful cpu.
> The current truth is that IBM sell more mainframes year on year, growth
> is more than mere inflation can account for, and mainframes are just
> getting stronger. So x86 didn't kill the mainframe, instead x86 played
> a huge role in making both stronger. I see no reason to believe the
> same story won't play out exactly the same all over again between x86
> and ARM.

This is really interesting.  "all over again" is exactly what I expect to
happen, but I didn't realize it happened as you say. A friend of mine was
really into SPARC in the 90's and complained loudly when x86 grabbed its
market share.  At least that was how I understood it.  I imagine the same
thing happening with ARM and x86, but maybe I'm jumping to conclusions?

- Grant