Windows on Arm runs more apps and games with new Prism update

FrancoDT · Dec 5, 2025

Hmmm, so after getting the new MS Corp. System Hardware Update 200.0.48.0 for ARM yesterday that I guess includes the new Prism update my Translucent Taskbar app crashes anytime it tries to load now. Removing and reinstalling TranslucentTB doesn't help so I'm guessing this is the culprit and it killed the app.

TraderGary · Dec 10, 2025

FrancoDT said:
Hmmm, so after getting the new MS Corp. System Hardware Update 200.0.48.0 for ARM yesterday that I guess includes the new Prism update my Translucent Taskbar app crashes anytime it tries to load now. Removing and reinstalling TranslucentTB doesn't help so I'm guessing this is the culprit and it killed the app.

How do you like your Microsoft Surface Laptop 7? Mine is supposed to be delivered Friday. The specs are in my System Two.

FrancoDT · Dec 10, 2025

TraderGary said:
How do you like your Microsoft Surface Laptop 7? Mine is supposed to be delivered Friday. The specs are in my System Two.

I like it a lot, very snappy little machine and not a single issue thus far. Well, aside from a couple apps not being compatible with ARM64. I found a workaround for my Winareo Tweaker app though and have it running just fine on it. Just can't use the installer app for it which isn't compatible.

TraderGary · Dec 10, 2025

Visual Studio 2026 just released is fully ARM compliant.
Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation is ARM compliant.
Of course Microsoft 365 and all of Office is no problem.
It looks like everything I use is all native ARM.

How are you finding battery life?

FrancoDT · Dec 10, 2025

TraderGary said:
Visual Studio 2026 just released is fully ARM compliant.
Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation is ARM compliant.
Of course Microsoft 365 and all of Office is no problem.
It looks like everything I use is all native ARM.

How are you finding battery life?

It's pretty good, a lot better then my old Surface Laptop 3 I had. It also has a battery saver feature if you leave it plugged in a lot that will limit your battery charge to 80% vs 100% to help preserve the battery life. You can turn the battery saver off in advance if you plan on using it unplugged for the day.

TraderGary · Dec 10, 2025

How long have you had it and do you have any new user advice?

It's replacing my old System Two, Microsoft Surface Pro 7. I'm very much looking forward to much better performance and of course ARM battery life should be no contest.

FrancoDT · Dec 10, 2025

TraderGary said:
How long have you had it and do you have any new user advice?

It's replacing my old System Two, Microsoft Surface Pro 7. I'm very much looking forward to much better performance and of course ARM battery life should be no contest.

I'd say since March or April. I think you'll really like it as it's a solid little machine. Windows update does a good job keeping the drivers current. If yours doesn't come with it, mine didn't, you may want to download and install the new Snapdragon Control Panel that just came out. It will keep you on the latest and greatest video driver for it. Not really needed but like the Intel and NVIDIA driver apps gives you a bit more features and control. No real advice as it does what it's supposed to lol. I keep a little external drive plugged in to do a Monday Macrium X backup and a Thursday Hasleo Free backup although thus far I've had no need to do a restore on it. Knock on wood.

TraderGary · Dec 10, 2025

Thanks! I'll check the Microsoft Store for the Snapdragon Control Panel when mine arrives.

Kojack · Dec 12, 2025

We are getting two surfii laptop 7 or 8 in the new year. Most everything I use is Arm compliant. Hopfully translucent TB works and power start menu when we get ours.

TraderGary · Dec 12, 2025

Kojack said:
We are getting two surfii laptop 7 or 8 in the new year. Most everything I use is Arm compliant. Hopfully translucent TB works and power start menu when we get ours.

I couldn't resist the current $700 discount. Microsoft Complete was also discounted. I got 4 years of Microsoft Complete added for $147!

Kojack · Dec 12, 2025

We are getting 2 refurbs. I want the 64gb model for creative work and the wife is getting the gold 16gb version

FrancoDT · Dec 12, 2025

Kojack said:
We are getting two surfii laptop 7 or 8 in the new year. Most everything I use is Arm compliant. Hopfully translucent TB works and power start menu when we get ours.

This PRISM update broke TranslucentTB for me on my Surface Laptop 7. Still haven't been able to get it working for more than a minute before it crashes and crashes Explorer as well so it's currently disabled for me.

Oddly enough the RoundedTB still works on it's own though.

TraderGary · Dec 12, 2025

FrancoDT said:
This PRISM update broke TranslucentTB for me on my Surface Laptop 7. Still haven't been able to get it working for more than a minute before it crashes and crashes Explorer as well so it's currently disabled for me.

Oddly enough the RoundedTB still works on it's own though.

View attachment 156660

My main apps are Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation, Lightroom, and Visual Studio. I need my full screen to always be available, so I always set my taskbar behavior to automatically hide the taskbar. For me a translucent taskbar isn't important if there's nothing to admire! :wink:

TraderGary · Dec 12, 2025

Kojack said:
We are getting 2 refurbs. I want the 64gb model for creative work and the wife is getting the gold 16gb version

I too always look at the refurbs first. I've done that for years and if there's a refurb that meets what I want that's always my first choice. They're always like new and come with a new warranty, so it only makes good sense. However, this time its a Christmas gift from my wife and she wanted it ordered now. You can't argue with Santa.

Kojack · Dec 12, 2025

Oh yes. I am still on the fence between a 15 and 13 and if I want black or platinum. They have refurbs of all on the canada website

FrancoDT · Dec 12, 2025

Kojack said:
Oh yes. I am still on the fence between a 15 and 13 and if I want black or platinum. They have refurbs of all on the canada website

My Surface laptop 3 was platinum with the cloth type Alcantara fabric keyboard deck. Looked really nice and my girlfriend has it now but I decided to change it up and went with black for the 7.

TraderGary · Dec 12, 2025

Kojack said:
Oh yes. I am still on the fence between a 15 and 13 and if I want black or platinum. They have refurbs of all on the canada website

Personally, I want my primary machine to have a larger screen. My current System One is 16" and I absolutely love it. I want my System Two to be smaller for quicker and lighter mobility, thus I chose 13.8". That's still larger than the 12" screen on the Surface Pro 7 that's being replaced. I'm confident I'm going to be pleased.

I've had both platinum and black laptops. At night there isn't any difference in readability, but during the day or a brightly lit room, for me, the white letters on black keys are noticeably easier to see. Personally, I also prefer the overall aesthetics of a black machine. I also run my machines in Dark Mode!

FrancoDT · Dec 12, 2025

TraderGary said:
Personally, I want my primary machine to have a larger screen. My current System One is 16" and I absolutely love it. I want my System Two to be smaller for quicker and lighter mobility, thus I chose 13.8". That's still larger than the 12" screen on the Surface Pro 7 that's being replaced. I'm confident I'm going to be pleased.

I've had both platinum and black laptops. At night there isn't any difference in readability, but during the day or a brightly lit room, for me, the white letters on black keys are noticeably easier to see. Personally, I also prefer the overall aesthetics of a black machine. I also run my machines in Dark Mode!

Same line of thinking here, I got the 13.8" for easy mobility since it's not my main machine which is an 18" screen. If the Surface was to be the main machine then definitely 15".

Kojack · Dec 13, 2025

FrancoDT said:
This PRISM update broke TranslucentTB for me on my Surface Laptop 7. Still haven't been able to get it working for more than a minute before it crashes and crashes Explorer as well so it's currently disabled for me.

Oddly enough the RoundedTB still works on it's own though.

View attachment 156660

I can make due with rounded TB anyways. Looks better than normal and gives a more modern look. I like Translucent TB better however. But, they will fix it soon.

As for color, I like both but the platinum would be better for keeping fingerprints off.

FrancoDT said:
Same line of thinking here, I got the 13.8" for easy mobility since it's not my main machine which is an 18" screen. If the Surface was to be the main machine then definitely 15".

My main machine is 2 24 inch touch displays. My laptop is all about portability for on the road use. Or, sitting on the sofa in the morning or evening. That's why I am thinking stick with the 13.8 (14 inch) display is going to be what I am think. I have a dell 5406 2 in 1 now. I am typing on it as I speak. It's used ALOT. I have worn out two batteries already in it because I use it so much. You can see wear on the palm rest area from me typing so much on it. That's the reason I am thinking the platinum color. If there was wear on the black you would see it much worse.

I don't know how deep the black coating goes into the aluminum. I don't want to have a laptop that looks like it's been through a 100 ft fall off a cliff from me using it alot.

I have been critical of dell these past few months because of the issues I was having with this system, and one other one (that hasn't been used alot at all). I think I may have changed my mind because of how much this laptop has been used. like 4 to 5 hours a day since 2021. The cpu is comparable to the M1 mac (besides battery life), I have 64gb of ram so that helps, and a 2tb XPG ssd which has faster read or write times than the M1 based macbook air.

I cannot complain. I have noticed lately that it's slower than normal but I think that's because I am using it currently without a battery in it.

Windows on Arm runs more apps and games with new Prism update

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