Amd laptops worth it? Do they compete against intel laptops?

It is better not to underestimate AMD laptops because they can be really good computers. We are going to review these equipment. Are you coming?

For many years, the only notebook processors that were considered "serious" were those belonging to the manufacturer Intel. However, since the entry of AMD Ryzen, this reality has changed a bit because AMD chips have turned out to be very good. Although these still have a way to go, we will analyze them in depth.

Index of contents

Solutions for almost all ranges

We say "almost" because we miss more Ryzen models that respond to other needs. So far, the entire range of AMD's "mobile" processors is down to Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, and Ryzen 7. So there are no Threadripper processors, nor Ryzen 9 in the portable sector, although we see some top of the range option called " Ryzen Pro ".

Despite the effusiveness of the name " Ryzen Pro", it must be said that they fall short when we face them against the productive range of Intel. Specifically, we are talking about the Intel Core i7-10710U, being much superior in those ranges. We will see how the laptop sector is given to AMD in 2020.

Regarding the gaming ranges, AMD does not manage to offer better performance than the Intel chips. Processors like the AMD Ryzen 3750H or 3550H are fine, but their rivals get more FPS in video games. In addition, we have many more Intel gaming laptops than AMD, so in the competition we can choose more.

However, in the AMD notebook sector it is not limited to Ryzen, but they still have certain processors such as AMD A-Series, which are shown as A9-9425 or A10-9620P. These service the lower ranges of AMD laptops, but they are out of date because they are processors from 2016 and 2017. So the Ryzen 3s provide better service at a similar price.

The problem with AMD gaming laptops: the RX 500

AMD is a company that has its own graphics cards: the AMD Radeon. This makes AMD gaming laptops use these for performance. The problem with this is that Nvidia's GPUs perform much better in the notebook sector, there is an abysmal difference compared to Radeon. So if you want to buy AMD powered gear, make sure the GPU is from Nvidia.

This company released its RX 5500m for laptops with the aim of competing in the mid-range against the GTX 1650, something that has not quite materialized because the Nvidia demonstrates superior behavior in the vast majority of video games. However, it must be said that the RX does measure up in certain games, beating the GTX 1650.

Without a doubt, the combination between AMD and Nvidia is much better in this regard. It is common to find a Ryzen 7 with an RTX 2060 in ASUS models. This is the way to go in laptops of less than 1000 euros.

In medium and low ranges they are an option to consider

When we go to the ranges of low consumption, productivity or, directly, to the low-end range of notebooks, the AMDs demonstrate a great value for money. We say this because the equivalent Intel-powered equipment offers a price that can exceed € 100 difference.

Given the performance offered by the Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 3, we have to say the following: if the only thing that changes is the processor, buy the one that is cheaper for you. We affirm this because the performance of the mid-range Ryzen is really good, matching the i5 and i3 of the same generation. In fact, the Ryzen 3 3200U has proven to be a very cheap and super valid processor.

On the other hand, we must highlight the Ryzen 7, specifically the 3750H and the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U. The first is focused on the gaming range, while the second is focused on the professional sector, offering the balance between performance and autonomy. In these ranges, the consumer is going to opt for Intel for its fame, since the price of the Ryzen PRO is not very attractive.

Finally, highlight the performance of Vega 10 graphics versus Intel's UHD 620 integrated graphics. In this sense, we find a Ryzen 7 2700U much more versatile than an i7-8550U because it makes an unbeatable pair in video games with Vega graphics.

WE RECOMMEND DVI: what it is and why we continue to use it

AMD's Duties in the Notebook Industry

AMD's duties begin with offering better solutions in the gaming laptop and ultrabook or ultralight ranges. So far, we've only found Intel Core m3 in those ranges, missing AMD. We miss a Ryzen 9 to respond to the Intel Core i9.

We also look forward to more core additions in professional ranges as the Ryzen 7 PRO 3700u offers 4 cores and 8 threads. Meanwhile, the i7-10710U has 6 cores and 12 threads. Here, the difference in performance is noticeable, not to mention the maximum turbo frequencies of the Intel compared to the AMD.

From here, saying that it would be nice to have more Ryzen-equipped models on the market because prices would drop quite a bit. However, we understand that there are not so many Ryzen options because consumers continue to prefer Intel because they play it safe.

It is true that AMD is starting to take notebooks seriously, but it has preferred to focus all its efforts on desktops and GPUs.

Are they worth it?

If you are hesitating between a Ryzen laptop and another Intel with the same specifications, take the cheapest one, as long as we are not facing a gaming or professional laptop.

On the other hand, in the ranges of personal use we find that the performance of the Ryzen 3, 5 and 7 is fantastic. Furthermore, they tend to be much more competitively priced than their Intel rivals. In this sense, we refer to what was said in the previous paragraph.

We recommend the best laptops on the market

In short, do not be prejudiced with the high-end, medium or low- end Ryzen for personal use because they give brutal functionality and even more so now with the AMD Ryzen 4000 for laptops. Regarding the integrated graphics of Intel versus the Vega, it must be said that AMD gives a review of the integrated UHD from Intel, which makes its low-power range more attractive.

What do you think of AMD laptops? Would you buy one?