Despite Disinterest in AMD Products, Dell Launches Ryzen-Powered Laptops

[Raevenlord]

Dell may not believe in an imminent "AMD-Intel duopoly", even though the green team has some very interesting products in its portfolio. But even so, Dell has silently launched some Inspiron laptops that are powered by AMD's latest architecture. The total number of AMD-powered laptops reaches four in their Inspiron 17 5000 line, with a mix of AMD's latest Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 APUs with Vega integrated graphics.





Dell has chosen to pair the same overall system configuration with AMD's Ryzen 3 2200U and Ryzen 5 2500 U APU solutions, with two models based on each processor offering some differing specs when it comes to their storage and memory configuration. All four models sport the same 17.3" 1080p display, with a port configuration of 2x USB 3.1 (Gen 1), 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x HDMI 1.4b interface, and an SD card reader.

The entry-line Ryzen 3 version sports 8 GB (1x 8 GB) of DDR4-2400 and a 1 TB 5,400 RPM SATA HDD starting from $679.99. The same CPU then is offered with a bump to 12 GB (1x 4 GB, 1x 8 GB) memory while keeping the same HDD, for $729.99 - a strange memory configuration that's hardly ideal.

The Ryzen 5 models, on the other hand, feature 16 GB (2x 8 GB) of DDR4-2400 and a 2 TB 5,400 RPM HDD - the only difference between the two higher-end models is that the $999 version comes with Dell's Premium Support Plus coverage for 1 year, whereas the $899 model does not. All other specs are equal. Puzzlingly, Users looking for an SSD-powered Ryzen APU system need look elsewhere.



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[Chaitanya]

Atleast they are priced cheap and being a larger 17" FF cooling should be more than sufficient. Also I guess its for those people who want Ryzen based 17" laptop on budget unlike other Hp/acer ultraportable offerings.

 

[_JP_]

I get asked a lot why there were no more budget 17'' laptops in recent years. (last I saw them were some HP models) Thanks DELL!

 

[ShurikN]

5400RPM drive in a $900 laptop.
Gotta gimp it somehow
Thanks DELL.

 

[Aldain]

Where in hell did DELL say that they are disinterest in amd products???

 

[Kinestron]

5400RPM drive in a $900 laptop.
Gotta gimp it somehow
Thanks DELL.

Exactly. The problem is always don't use dual-channel memory, poor quality display, slow hard drive, and/or other gimped specs all the while they charge the same or more than any other Intel system in the same line that usually doesn't have those issues. If I can get a 256Gb, core i5 with a 1050Ti with an IPS display for around $700(when there is a special sale) then why are they not offering the same with an R5 and mobile 570?

 

[destroyah3034]

Where in hell did DELL say that they are disinterest in amd products???

That information comes from this article: Dell CTO throws dirt on potentially allowing equal duopoly

 

[bug]

Wth? Not believing in the market becoming a duopoly simply means they don't see AMD and Intel sharing roughly equal slices of the pie. It does not, in any way, mean they're not interested in releasing products with AMD CPUs.
Fwiw, Linux doesn't have much market share on the desktop, yet Dell still sell system with Linux.
Stop making news where there isn't any.

 

[OneCool]

Off topic but why are they still putting usb 2.0 ports on computers? Wtf the point?

 

[bug]

Off topic but why are they still putting usb 2.0 ports on computers? Wtf the point?

Those USB ports come at the expense of PCIe lanes, of which we are severely starved. The manufacturers save 5-10 cents, while we get ports that are still overkill for a mouse and a keyboard.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Why are dell over pricing these, they should be the same price as similarly specced i3 laptops not in the same league as higher specced i5's with SSD's and a dGPU.. is it cause then they will, be seen to be supporting AMD whilst also making sure they don't sell to apease Intel, we know it's happened in the past, the good old Intel incentives scheme for OEM partners.

 

[Steevo]

Why are dell over pricing these, they should be the same price as similarly specced i3 laptops not in the same league as higher specced i5's with SSD's and a dGPU.. is it cause then they will, be seen to be supporting AMD whilst also making sure they don't sell to apease Intel, we know it's happened in the past, the good old Intel incentives scheme for OEM partners.

They are probably forced to sell "features" as a purchasing agreement with certain blue suppliers, so that no real competition happens, and the 99% of users will still buy the "correct" brand, as the difference in a machine using SSD VS HDD, slow single channel RAM and other cheap shots will ensure nothing is apples to apples.

 

[evernessince]

Wow, the pricing and features of these are terrible. It's like Dell is trying to make AMD look bad. Single channel memory and a 5400 RPM hard drive. I would expect this in the $400 or less price range. For $1,000? That's a complete sham.

 

[Casecutter]

Wow, the pricing and features of these are terrible. It's like Dell is trying to make AMD look bad. Single channel memory and a 5400 RPM hard drive. I would expect this in the $400 or less price range. For $1,000? That's a complete sham.

I've consider it always that way with many OEM's configuring AMD in Laptops, they've always seemed to hobble AMD in the ways you describe.

 

[bug]

I've consider it always that way with many OEM's configuring AMD in Laptops, they've always seemed to hobble AMD in the ways you describe.

Well, if they only source 10-20% of their CPUs from AMD, isn't it possible they don't get the same volume discounts as they get from Intel? Remember, Intel has used discounts to keep AMD out of the market before.

 

[eidairaman1]

Off topic but why are they still putting usb 2.0 ports on computers? Wtf the point?

Price savings, still plenty of devices out there

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Well, if they only source 10-20% of their CPUs from AMD, isn't it possible they don't get the same volume discounts as they get from Intel? Remember, Intel has used discounts to keep AMD out of the market before.

Even paying regular consumer prices these laptops should be a lot cheaper than they are, not a lot of price difference between these and the last line of FX APU's which could be picked up for sub $500/400. Dell obviously want to be seen to be selling AMD but are pricing them out of the market. Had AMD more marketshare they could afford to drop Dell, unfortunately it's a lose lose situation for AMD, "yay we have big partners like Dell selling AMD!! though there's little point buying anything AMD from them"....

 

[eidairaman1]

 

[lewis007]

Well, if they only source 10-20% of their CPUs from AMD, isn't it possible they don't get the same volume discounts as they get from Intel? Remember, Intel has used discounts to keep AMD out of the market before.

Discounts? More like Intel paying Dell not to use AMD parts, well I guess Dell found a loophole where Intel can still pay them off and Dell is able to (technically) sell AMD based products even if the are gimped and over priced, No duopoly can occur when that happens.

 

[TheGuruStud]

Discounts? More like Intel paying Dell not to use AMD parts, well I guess Dell found a loophole where Intel can still pay them off and Dell is able to (technically) sell AMD based products even if the are gimped and over priced, No duopoly can occur when that happens.

Duh, b/c monopolies are better! Everyone knows that. Just ask the govt... Benjamins, hookers and drugs let you do w/e you want as a corporation.

 

[Durvelle27]

Man that single channel RAMis going to cripple that IGP

 

[CheapMeat]

Are they trying to make AMD look bad on purpose? Bad value.

 

[RejZoR]

Exactly. The problem is always don't use dual-channel memory, poor quality display, slow hard drive, and/or other gimped specs all the while they charge the same or more than any other Intel system in the same line that usually doesn't have those issues. If I can get a 256Gb, core i5 with a 1050Ti with an IPS display for around $700(when there is a special sale) then why are they not offering the same with an R5 and mobile 570?

Some things with Intel just don't change... Remember the endless fiasco where Intel was shilled in notebooks on al ends years ago and AMD was just pushed to the side because everyone was getting paid by Intel to use Intel CPU's in them? Who wants to bet it's the same crap now, just that Intel says "gimp those AMD systems" and we'll give you few millions as a reward. It's just how Intel always rolls and always will...

 

[HTC]

Wow, the pricing and features of these are terrible. It's like Dell is trying to make AMD look bad. Single channel memory and a 5400 RPM hard drive. I would expect this in the $400 or less price range. For $1,000? That's a complete sham.

Warning: OT to explain a point!

It's much like what happens over here with ISPs. DECO (our national consumer defense organization) fought to enable us consumers to have the right to subscribe to an ISP without having to be tied to it for 2 years of "loyalty" (if one tries to leave before the period is over, one is forced to pay the full 2 years worth anyway), and they succeeded.

But there's a few catches ...

- it costs more per month (VS the "loyalty" options)
- you'll have to pay the installation price of around 300€ (free with the "loyalty" options)
- you'll have to pay the activation (also free with the "loyalty" options)
- doesn't include bonuses (all "loyalty" options offer 1 or more of these, such as mobile net, for example)

Then why is it available in all of the ISP providers? Because DECO managed to get the law changed and that forced the ISPs to "offer" this option, which they did: they just made damn sure nobody would choose it.

Back on topic!

Sure: Dell is offering Ryzen based products. However, they are doing it so in a way that nobody will ever buy because the discrepancy in price / performance VS other offerings is so large due to the specs being so gimped on the AMD's versions.

By going this route, Dell can't be accused of selling Intel-only products even though, for all intents and purposes, they'll only be selling Intel-only products.

 

[TheGuruStud]

Warning: OT to explain a point!

It's much like what happens over here with ISPs. DECO (our national consumer defense organization) fought to enable us consumers to have the right to subscribe to an ISP without having to be tied to it for 2 years of "loyalty" (if one tries to leave before the period is over, one is forced to pay the full 2 years worth anyway), and they succeeded.

But there's a few catches ...

- it costs more per month (VS the "loyalty" options)
- you'll have to pay the installation price of around 300€ (free with the "loyalty" options)
- you'll have to pay the activation (also free with the "loyalty" options)
- doesn't include bonuses (all "loyalty" options offer 1 or more of these, such as mobile net, for example)

Then why is it available in all of the ISP providers? Because DECO managed to get the law changed and that forced the ISPs to "offer" this option, which they did: they just made damn sure nobody would choose it.

Back on topic!

Sure: Dell is offering Ryzen based products. However, they are doing it so in a way that nobody will ever buy because the discrepancy in price / performance VS other offerings is so large due to the specs being so gimped on the AMD's versions.

By going this route, Dell can't be accused of selling Intel-only products even though, for all intents and purposes, they'll only be selling Intel-only products.

That's even worse than the US. They're not even attempting to hide Corporatism. Does it sound familiar? "Loyalty to the State above all else" (of course the corporations are the State, now)