Since the arrival of ChromeOS, Chromebooks have been characterized by one thing: their low price. There are exceptions, of course, but in general these notebooks have focused on the low end of the market; reason why they have become the best options as an entry laptop.
For years, that has involved using Celeron processors from Intel, or in some cases, ARM architecture processors. The reason is simple: During this time AMD has not really offered good alternatives for this sector, focusing on desktop processors with Ryzen.
AMD Launches New Laptop Processors
That has finally changed, with the introduction of AMD’s new range of notebook processors; Composed mainly of portable versions of the Ryzen that have been so successful on the desktop. From the Ryzen 3 3200U two-core and four threads, to the Ryzen 7 3750H four-core and eight threads, these processors can be very interesting; especially thanks to the Vega integrated graphics.
But among these novelties, we find a couple of new CPUs that, although they are not Ryzen, can make a difference: the A4-9120C and the A6-9220C. These processors are not based on the Zen platform, but they do share some of the characteristics of these; for example, an integrated graphics from Radeon that allows achieving higher graphics performance compared to the integrated ones from Intel.
These processors are the protagonists of the first Chromebooks with AMD processors, which Acer and HP have presented on the occasion of CES. In both cases, we are dealing with low-cost models (with prices starting at $ 269). HP was the first to introduce theirs, although there aren’t many differences between them.
First Chromebook with AMD processor
In both cases we can choose between the two new processors, which in turn do not have many differences. Both have two cores (no multithreading) and a TDP of only 6 W; the differences are in the frequencies and the integrated graph. The A4-9120C starts at 1.6 GHz and can reach 2.4 GHz, and has an R4 graphic at 600 MHz; The A6-9220C starts at 1.8 GHz and can reach 2.7 GHz, and has an R5 graphic that reaches 720 MHz.
The HP Chromebook 14 is, as its name suggests, a 14-inch laptop, with a screen that can have a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels or 1920 x 1080 pixels; in the latter case, it is also tactile. It has 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, expandable with a microSD. The price of the HP Chromebook 14 starts at $ 269; but it is more advisable to spend 30 dollars more and get the 1080p version and with the most powerful processor.
For its part, the Acer Chromebook 315 bets on a 15.6-inch screen; We have more options with the screen, since we have a non-touch 1080p version. Both 1080p displays use IPS technology, something HP has not confirmed with its model.
We also have more options when it comes to memory, and we can mount up to 8 GB. It also highlights that the battery lasts 10 hours, longer than the HP Chromebook 14 despite having a larger screen. The Acer Chromebook 315 will be available in April starting at $ 279.