Merge pull request #53519 from MicrosoftDocs/NEW-introduction-to-arm-surface

New introduction to arm surface --release at 10am of 2/18

Author: huypub

learn-pr/achievements/introduction-to-arm-surface-social.png

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.dpu.introduction-to-arm-surface.introduction
+title: Introduction
+metadata:
+  title: Introduction
+  description: This content is part of the "Introduction to Arm on Microsoft Surface" module.
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
+  author: ozahran7
+  ms.author: v-zahranomar
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 1
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/1-introduction.md)]

learn-pr/achievements/introduction-to-arm-surface.svg

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.dpu.introduction-to-arm-surface.what-is-arm-on-microsoft-surface
+title: What is Arm on Microsoft Surface?
+metadata:
+  title: What is Arm On Microsoft Surface?
+  description: This content is part of the "Introduction to Arm on Microsoft Surface" module.
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
+  author: ozahran7
+  ms.author: v-zahranomar
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 4
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/2-what-is-arm-on-microsoft-surface.md)]

learn-pr/device-partner-university/introducton-to-arm-surface/1-introduction.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.dpu.introduction-to-arm-surface.how-surface-with-arm-works
+title: How Surface with Arm works
+metadata:
+  title: How Surface with Arm works
+  description: This content is part of the "Introduction to Arm on Microsoft Surface" module.
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
+  author: ozahran7
+  ms.author: v-zahranomar
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 6
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/3-how-surface-with-arm-works.md)]

learn-pr/device-partner-university/introducton-to-arm-surface/2-what-is-arm-on-microsoft-surface.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.dpu.introduction-to-arm-surface.when-to-use-surface-with-arm
+title: When to use Surface with Arm
+metadata:
+  title: When to Use Surface with Arm
+  description: This content is part of the "Introduction to Arm on Microsoft Surface" module.
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
+  author: ozahran7
+  ms.author: v-zahranomar
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 2
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/4-when-to-use-surface-with-arm.md)]

learn-pr/device-partner-university/introducton-to-arm-surface/3-how-surface-with-arm-works.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.dpu.introduction-to-arm-surface.knowledge-check
+title: Knowledge check
+metadata:
+  title: Knowledge Check
+  description: This content is part of the "Introduction to Arm on Microsoft Surface" module.
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
+  author: ozahran7
+  ms.author: v-zahranomar
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 5
+quiz:
+  title: Check your knowledge
+  questions:
+  - content: "What is the primary purpose of Arm on Microsoft Surface as described in the module?"
+    choices:
+        - content: "To replace all x86 processors in Surface devices immediately"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module states that Surface for Business devices offer both traditional x86 and modern Arm solutions."
+        - content: "To enable long battery life while delivering strong performance for business users"
+          isCorrect: true
+          explanation: "Correct. The introduction explains that Arm on Microsoft Surface enables long battery life while delivering exceptional performance for modern business users."
+        - content: "To eliminate the need for Windows emulation entirely"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module explains that emulation is still used to run x86 and x64 apps on Arm devices."
+        - content: "To focus exclusively on gaming and graphics-intensive workloads"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module notes that Prism doesn't work well for graphics-heavy apps such as certain games."
+  - content: "Which statement best describes the difference between Arm and ARM in this module?"
+    choices:
+        - content: "Arm refers to the operating system, while ARM refers to a specific Surface device"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module doesn't define Arm as an operating system or ARM as a device."
+        - content: "Arm is the company that designs and licenses processor architecture, while ARM refers to the architecture itself"
+          isCorrect: true
+          explanation: "Correct. The content explains that Arm is an organization that licenses IP and designs, while ARM refers to the licensed processor architecture."
+        - content: "Arm manufactures processors, while ARM only licenses software"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module clearly states that Arm doesn't manufacture processors."
+        - content: "Arm and ARM refer to different and unrelated technologies"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module explicitly notes that Arm and ARM refer to the same processor architecture, with different usage contexts."
+  - content: "Which benefit is directly associated with using Arm architecture on Surface devices?"
+    choices:
+        - content: "Built-in security features at the System on Chip (SoC) level"
+          isCorrect: true
+          explanation: "Correct. The module lists security features built directly into the SoC as a benefit of Arm architecture."
+        - content: "Mandatory use of external graphics cards"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module discusses consolidation of components within the SoC, not reliance on external hardware."
+        - content: "Higher power consumption compared to other PCs"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The content highlights lower power consumption and long battery life as advantages."
+        - content: "Exclusive support for legacy x86 hardware drivers"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module explains that some drivers requiring direct hardware or kernel access may not work well under emulation."
+  - content: "What is Prism in the context of Arm-powered Surface devices?"
+    choices:
+        - content: "A hardware security module built into Snapdragon processors"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. Prism is described as an emulation engine, not a security module."
+        - content: "A new Windows emulation engine that improves performance on Arm devices"
+          isCorrect: true
+          explanation: "Correct. The module explains that Prism is the new Windows emulation engine included with Windows 11 24H2 that improves performance and lowers CPU usage."
+        - content: "A cloud-based application management service"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. App Assure is mentioned for app compatibility, not Prism."
+        - content: "A native Arm64 productivity application"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. Prism isn't an application but an emulation engine."
+  - content: "Which user scenario is identified as ideal for ARM-based Surface devices?"
+    choices:
+        - content: "Users who rely heavily on OpenGL or DirectX 12 games"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module states that Prism doesn't work well for games or apps using OpenGL or DirectX 12."
+        - content: "Mobile professionals who need portability and long battery life"
+          isCorrect: true
+          explanation: "Correct. The module highlights mobile professionals as an ideal use case due to portability, fanless design, and long battery life."
+        - content: "Workloads requiring direct kernel-level hardware access"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. Apps or drivers needing direct hardware or kernel access are listed as scenarios where emulation doesn't work well."
+        - content: "Systems that depend on anti-cheat or DRM software"
+          isCorrect: false
+          explanation: "Incorrect. The module specifically lists apps with anti-cheat or DRM software as problematic under emulation."

learn-pr/device-partner-university/introducton-to-arm-surface/4-when-to-use-surface-with-arm.yml

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+### YamlMime:ModuleUnit
+uid: learn.dpu.introduction-to-arm-surface.summary
+title: Summary
+metadata:
+  title: Summary
+  description: This content is part of the "Introduction to Arm on Microsoft Surface" module.
+  ms.date: 02/17/2026
+  author: ozahran7
+  ms.author: v-zahranomar
+  ms.topic: unit
+durationInMinutes: 1
+content: |
+  [!include[](includes/6-summary.md)]

learn-pr/device-partner-university/introducton-to-arm-surface/5-knowledge-check.yml

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+As the needs of business users have evolved, device hardware has evolved with it. This module introduces Arm on Microsoft Surface—a computer processing architecture that enables Surface devices to offer long battery life while delivering exceptional performance for modern business users.
+
+>[!NOTE]
+> In this module, *ARM* and *Arm* refer to the same processor architecture. *ARM* is used throughout this module because it remains widely recognized among Windows and PC users.
+
+## Learning objectives:
+
+- Evaluate whether Arm on Microsoft Surface is appropriate for your business.
+- Describe how the benefits of Arm-based processors on Surface devices help to complete tasks more efficiently.

learn-pr/device-partner-university/introducton-to-arm-surface/6-summary.yml

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+:::image type="content" border="true" source="../media/surface-pro-12-inch.jpeg" alt-text="Photograph of Surface Pro 12-inch with Surface Slim Pen.":::
+
+To understand this hardware architecture on Microsoft Surface devices, it's important to differentiate between Arm and ARM.
+
+Arm is an organization that develops and licenses IP solutions for CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphical Processing Units), NPUs (Neural Processing Units), and interconnect technologies for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to develop products. Arm licenses the ARM instruction sets to partners, such as Qualcomm, who then make chips with customization for their unique needs. Arm doesn't manufacture processors but rather provides designs and architecture that enable other companies to create their own products.
+
+Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) is a licensed architecture that follows the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) design philosophy for computer processors. RISC is a way of designing processors that use simpler and fewer instructions—which can result in faster and more efficient performance. Arm architectures is widely used in mobile devices, embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and increasingly in servers and cloud computing—positioning them to be ideal solutions for modern workforces.
+
+Surface for Business devices offer both traditional x86 and modern Arm solutions. In the current Surface for Business lineup, there are five devices that are built on Arm architecture, they're listed below:
+
+| **Device** | **Display** | **Processor** | **RAM** |
+| :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: |
+| Surface Pro for Business 12-inch | 12" PixelSense 90 Hz Refresh rate | Snapdragon® X Plus (eight-core) | 16GB |
+| Surface Pro for Business | 13" PixelSense Flow 120 Hz Refresh rate | Snapdragon X Plus (10 Core) Snapdragon® X Elite (12-Core) | 16GB 32GB |
+| Surface Laptop for Business 13-inch | 13" PixelSense 60 Hz Refresh rate | Snapdragon® X Plus (eight-core) | 16GB |
+| Surface Laptop for Business 13.8-inch | 13.8" PixelSense Flow 120 Hz Refresh rate | Snapdragon® X Plus (10 Core) Snapdragon® X Elite (12-Core) | 16GB 32GB |
+| Surface Laptop for Business 15-inch | 15" PixelSense Flow 120 Hz Refresh rate | Snapdragon® X Elite (12-Core) | 16 GB 32GB |
+
+There are multiple benefits to using Arm architecture on Surface devices, such as:
+
+- Security features are built directly into the System on Chip (SoC).
+- High performance potential is balanced with a focus on energy efficiency.
+- Arm architecture has a large and diverse ecosystem of device form factors—which means that they're already deployed in other device types such as smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart TVs, and drones.
+
+Arm technology powers most of the worlds connected devices with over 325 billion Arm-based chips have shipped to date. Arm architecture allows Surface devices to provide long battery life due to lower power consumption when compared to other PCs. This enables business users that work from multiple locations to get work done without concern for finding a power outlet.
+
+Windows has a growing library of ARM-optimized applications—ensuring that business users have the software tools that they need to remain successful. Let's explore some examples of different app categories and ARM-compatible solutions available.
+
+- **Endpoint protection:** With today's hybrid work environments, safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining user privacy has never been more important. Whether defending against malware or unauthorized access breaches, ARM-equipped Surface devices support tools to keep businesses safe.
+- **VPN:** Protecting user privacy and ensuring remote access is crucial to the efficiency of diverse workforces. VPN and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) apps play critical roles in safeguarding user data from network threats.
+- **Endpoint management:** These applications streamline the administration of devices and networks—enabling centralized control over software updates, security policies, and device configurations.
+- **Productivity:** Modern workflows require productivity apps that enable communication and collaboration.
+- **Creativity:** Creative professionals work to push the boundaries of imagination. Their most used applications are available on ARM Surface devices, enabling workflows that support demanding tasks like video editing and content production.
+
+ARM devices on Surface present a unique value proposition for modern business users—offering lightweight builds, long battery life, [support for their most frequently used apps](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2025/09/18/empowering-the-future-the-expanding-arm-app-ecosystem-for-copilot-pcs/), while enabling them to get work done quickly. App support continues to [evolve with App Assure](https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2026/02/10/accelerating-arm-momentum-in-japan-with-app-assure/)—enabling a more expansive application ecosystem with Arm-based Surface devices. In the next unit, you'll learn how Arm works on Surface.