I've been a traditional desktop Windows user for decades, sticking to 32-bit and 64-bit apps with standard processors from Intel and AMD. Compatibility has never been an issue with my endless pile of accessories and USB-powered peripherals since most of the world uses Windows 10 and 11, and manufacturers prioritize their drivers to x86-64 systems first. However, after picking up a second-hand Surface Pro X to check on the progress of Windows on ARM, it feels necessary to catch everyone up on the compatibility of everyday accessories.
It might seem unusual to some Windows fans that physical accessories should suffer any incompatibility, especially since all of your apps will work on Windows 11, whether natively built for ARM or launched via emulation. Any hint of controversy with ARM lies in hardware drivers, which are crucial components that allow your PC to understand and communicate with your connected device. Microsoft even warned of potential roadblocks as its first-party ARM range expanded, but how does the experience fare in real-world usage?
