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AMD Gets Serious About Chromebooks at CES 2019 (cnet.com)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the how-about-that dept.

An anonymous reader shares a report: AMD's early CES 2019 announcements brought us some updates on its laptop processors, which include a targeted attempt to capture some of the growing cheap Chromebook market, slightly faster mobile Ryzens and a promise to keep everyone's AMD laptop drivers up to date with the latest zero-day game-release optimizations. Sadly, the news didn't include the much-anticipated, high-performance 7-nanometer Navi GPUs or the rumored Ryzen 3000-series desktop CPUs -- hopefully, the company's just holding back that info for its CEO's keynote on Wednesday. For the first time, AMD has gained a little bit of traction in Chromebooks with some partner announcements at CES such as the HP Chromebook 14 AMD and the Acer Chromebook 315. The announcements are in conjunction with the new A4-9120C and its sibling, the A6-9220C, which have slower CPU and GPU clock speeds than the 15-watt full-fat versions. That allows AMD to match the 6-watt target power draw of Intel's competing Celeron and Pentium models. AMD claims somewhat better performance on both Chrome OS and Android apps, which is possible given that their clock speeds are still faster despite the drop. Further reading: AMD at CES 2019: Ryzen Mobile 3000-Series Launched, 2nd Gen Mobile at 15W and 35W, and Chromebooks.

28 comments

  1. Great, hacks again by BeauHD-Cum+Dumpster · · Score: -1

    Chromebooks == AMD == hacks.

    Thank you, come again. And No Thank You For Spectre And Meltdown

    -Beau

  2. No, they are not serious by CajunArson · · Score: -1

    Releasing a POS 28nm processing in Twenty-fucking-Nineteen and claiming they are "serious" about Chromebooks?

    No. Not even close.

    I find it amusing that Intel producing one model of chipset for desktop systems that happens to be on 22nm is somehow "proof" to a bunch of idiots that Intel can't manufacture silicon. The same idiots then claim that AMD dumping 28nm parts into the Chromebook market in 2019 means they are "serious" about Chromebooks. No. Just No.

    --
    AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
    1. Re:No, they are not serious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wanted to explain you why you are wrong. Then I saw your average reaction score. Please keep posting with your account and not as AC, you would drag the AC average down and tarnish our reputation.

    2. Re:No, they are not serious by CajunArson · · Score: -1

      Not being popular on this third-rate excuse of what used to be a real site is equivalent to not being popular at a Klan rally.

      I take it as a badge of honor and objective evidence of my own intelligence.

      But back on topic: Tell me again how much a 14-nm quad-core Gemini lake Atom is so massively inferior to these 28nm dual "coar" Bulldozer retreads in whatever fantasy world you inhabit.

      --
      AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
    3. Re:No, they are not serious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "I take it as a badge of honor and objective evidence of my own intelligence." That's just more evidence of what a fucking moron you actually are, we know you know nothing about electronics in reality.

      But please, continue dispelling all doubt.

    4. Re:No, they are not serious by willy_me · · Score: 1

      The difference between manufacturing nodes is not that noticeable at low operating frequency. Larger sizes have larger dynamic operating costs - but the static operating costs are determined more by design then by frequency. So for Chromebooks running at a low frequency, one has to look at changes made to the silicon to see if AMD is taking them seriously. The only thing we know is that there are two new part numbers so AMD _might_ be taking them seriously. Or not... time will tell.

    5. Re:No, they are not serious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When you believe that the problem is everyone else, you can be certain that the problem is actually you.

    6. Re:No, they are not serious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow you are getting all worked-up about this. I'm sorry your penis is so small, life must really suck to be you.

  3. SFF Ryzen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Does anyone know of a good SFF Ryzen system (not something gaming specific)a

    1. Re:SFF Ryzen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Build it yourself, duh.

    2. Re:SFF Ryzen by AvitarX · · Score: 1

      Ignorant question,

      is something without an HDMI out a good option for non-gaming?

      Seems like using an APU is a better option to save in a non-gaming context.

      --
      Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
  4. Pretend Beaufag will always be by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ignored and pointless.

  5. It's all about the NREs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    CPU performance between 28 nm and 22 nm isn't significant unless you can add more units or cache (you generally don't). The main advantage is a die shrink that reduces costs. These AMD chromebooks are going to effectively use a 5 year old architecture at full cost when in low volume. If AMD sees a lot of volume, they can die shrink and crank up their own profits significantly.

    NREs (Non-recurring engineering) costs are the driving factor here. AMD is playing things safe, and apparently they were successful in securing deals else we wouldn't have heard about it. It's a smart move on their part with the current yo-yo market, frequent tariff scares, and interest rate uncertainty.

    1. Re:It's all about the NREs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What are you talking about? Aside from HP's certified offering, the other Chromebooks are using AMD's Zen+ APUs on the 12nm node.

    2. Re:It's all about the NREs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They are not going to die-shrink Carrizo/Bristol Ridge. Ever. If they do then they are insane. What a waste of resources. Zen/Zen+ are much better. Really they would be better off using "leftover" capacity from Globalfoundries to put the old 2200u in Chromebooks and call it a day. Or they can use newer Picasso products that they will launch this year.

    3. Re:It's all about the NREs by AlwinBarni · · Score: 1

      CPU performance between 28 nm and 22 nm isn't significant unless you can add more units or cache (you generally don't). The main advantage is a die shrink that reduces costs...

      Additionally smaller size gives more room for either higher clock frequency or less energy usage, which (the latter) is one of the important factors for notebooks (and chromebooks in particular).

  6. Chromebooks are cool. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I like Chromebook. It is the best. I think that everybody should use Chromebook.

  7. Chromebooks: Next fad after tablets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    All the disadvantages of a locked-down smartphone from a data kraken,
    and of a laptop's "actual computer user" features (that you can't actually use as a computer).

    So exclusively disadvantages.
    The SUVs of the computing world.

    Ergo, they will be a Big Hit(TM)!
    (Read: Marketed, like with this adtickle, until you believe you need one one.)

    1. Re:Chromebooks: Next fad after tablets by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Chromebooks are great for retards who click on any link no matter how dubious. Chromebooks are malware resistant no matter how stupid the user. There are uncountable legions of tards who could benefit from using a Chromebook.

  8. 300U is more important by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It'll probably be prices to compete with Pentiums (maybe Celerons) just like the desktop version does. Those $200-$300 laptops out there might soon start featuring the 300U.

    It may consume more power than a mobile Pentium, but the 300U will likely perform much better in most tasks.

  9. What value does a more powerful GPU bring? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So what added value will AMD bring to a platform that's used mainly for casual web browsing? I doubt there are any compelling online games that will run on the Chromebook's notoriously small storage space? Ultra HD videos are out of the picture unless Google comes out with a tabloid size Chromebook (a Chromepaper?).

    1. Re:What value does a more powerful GPU bring? by Tyger-ZA · · Score: 1

      So what added value will AMD bring to a platform that's used mainly for casual web browsing? I doubt there are any compelling online games that will run on the Chromebook's notoriously small storage space? Ultra HD videos are out of the picture unless Google comes out with a tabloid size Chromebook (a Chromepaper?).

      I'm using Web Assembly to build my C++ app for the web. It can use OpenGL, so it would benefit from being able to use the GPU for drawing. For a Windows equivalent: if you write some dot net app using XAML for the UI, it will render using DirectX to accelerate the drawing of vector based assets. It doesn't even have to be running the latest AAA microtransaction shitfest, or a 4K video, or my example app above, to benefit from having a GPU. Even regular 2D rendering of your web page will be using the GPU for drawing, here's some old stats

    2. Re:What value does a more powerful GPU bring? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One day you'll grow up. Then you'll realize that games isn't necessarily what the world revolves around, and that there actually are plenty of people who either doesn't care about games, or simply don't have the money to buy a decent gaming machine - particularly not for when on the go.

      Small storage could be a problem depending on what you're doing, but obviously Google thinks you should store everything in the "cloud" instead. It's perfectly possible to use your own server for storage though, if you have the skills for it.

      As far as value goes, I'm not sure about the market where you live, but here basically Intel has a monopoly on supplying the CPU's for Chromebooks. I can't imagine they are being particularly cheap for the OEMs, in fact the market is so lopsided that I think Intel has the OEMs by the balls.

      So the value would be faster CPUs for the task you might actually do on a Chromebook, like rendering web pages, decoding video, image and document and data processing on the go, and a cheaper machine. Of course it's probably not going to be cheaper for you, but the OEMs will gladly accept the increased profits.

  10. Chrome OS is getting bloated by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I used to think Chrome OS was perfect for entry level CPU's. But Google has tried to tack on more stuff like Android apps, and improving Chrome browser. But all the while this has taken a toll of resources and if you don't have a Pentium or higher CPU with at least 4Gb Ram. A Chromebook isn't very good and in most cases I would say there is more focus on premium Chromebooks then anything.

  11. That's nice but 3700U by Tough+Love · · Score: 2

    It's nice to see AMD get a foothold in the tablet market. But the 3000 series APUs, also announced today, are more important imho. For example, the 15 watt 3700U is ideal for a midrange ultrabook. With it's 10 Vega GPU cores it can handle 1080p gaming just fine, in additional to that Zen+ Ryzen goodness. I'm thinking you're going to see AMD ultrabooks at the top of bestseller lists for the first time ever.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  12. When 2(3)400GE ChromeOS hybrids Steam capable? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is great that there will be $300 hybrids
    But 2400GE or 3400GE? $500 hybrids capable of playing Steam games at 60 fps in 720p
    will be the great deal and boom of sells.
    Lignux container in Chrome OS still does not play sounds, but that day is near

    And a Chrome OS laptop capable of android gaming plus Steam gaming in native linux, proton or wine with a nice price as $500 that is a console price - $400 or under in a desktop - box - version - will be a great SOHO deal.

  13. It's good for graphic chips support on linux by fbobraga · · Score: 1

    collateral effect :)

  14. generally correct - specifically wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In general, yes die shrinks let you increase clocks and lower energy. In this particular case, there isn't a significant difference in Fmax and Vmin.