IBM unveils first dual-architecture mainframe processor, bringing Arm to IBM Z and LinuxONE
IBM Unveils Next Generation Dual-Architecture Processor
At Hot Chips 2026, IBM announced the first mainframe processor designed to natively run both IBM and Arm instructions. Built on a 2nm node with 11 cores at over 5.7 GHz, the chip lets enterprises run Arm-native Linux alongside z/OS and Linux on IBM Z, combining Arm's vast software ecosystem with IBM's security and reliability. This milestone follows IBM's April collaboration with Arm and aims to expand software choice for mission-critical workloads.
This processor represents a significant architectural advancement for IBM Z and LinuxONE. By bringing Arm natively to our platform, we're combining access to one of the industry's fastest-growing software ecosystems with the qualities that have made IBM systems the foundation for how businesses run today.