Samsung ignored ARM laptops at CES 2026, and I can't even be mad

Samsung announced the new Galaxy Book 6 lineup at CES 2026. A new Ultra model is finally in, but the 360 2-in-1 is gone. However, the 360 wasn’t the only Samsung laptop missing at CES, and it looks to me like the company may have given up on its Windows ARM ambitions for now.

Several prominent laptop manufacturers unveiled new ARM-based Windows laptops in Las Vegas, all featuring the latest Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. But there was no Galaxy Book 6 Edge. I can't say I'm that surprised. And I can't really blame Samsung for sitting this one out.

The harsh reality is that Windows on ARM still struggles to gain popularity after all these years and for the usual reasons: inferior driver and app support, and developers’ ongoing preference for x86/x64 architectures, arguably for good reason.

To be blunt, my hopes weren’t high even when the Galaxy Book 4 Edge launched in early 2024. But I had thought that Apple’s successful switch to ARM, combined with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip, might finally give Windows on ARM a chance to rise.

And granted, things have improved slightly since the Galaxy Book 4 Edge made its debut. Even recently, VLC gained better ARM support, which in turn helps the Galaxy Book 4 Edge experience.

Even so, it doesn't look like the Windows on ARM situation has improved enough to warrant a new Galaxy Book 6 Edge laptop. Or at least, Samsung doesn't seem to believe that is the case, and I can't hold it against them.

ARM fans hoping for a new Book 6 Edge based on the Snapdragon X2 Elite may need to look elsewhere. But even at CES 2026, there weren't that many OEMs showcasing new ARM-based Windows laptops powered by the latest Snapdragon X2 Elite chips. Names that stood out were Lenovo, HP, Asus, and Acer.

Alternatively, if you don't mind using the Galaxy Book 4 Edge featuring the Snapdragon X Elite series, you might want to check out the latest deals. As of this writing, the Book 4 Edge starts at $599 after a $200 price cut.

As for x86/x64 PC users, Samsung introduced some excellent design updates to the non-ARM Book 6 series, especially the Galaxy Book 6 Ultra. For one, it finally has a centered keyboard and touchpad layout, even in the 16-inch model.

It will be interesting to watch Samsung's next move. The company could rejoin the ARM game, or it may have decided that it's wiser to let other brands fight for the ARM PC's survival. I think Samsung may have made the right call by streamlining its non-ARM laptop lineup and bringing key improvements to those models.