Laptops with Zen 5 processors are aplenty, and the number of desktops is now slowly beginning to grow. However, there’s nary a sign of any handhelds or mini PCs rocking the new AMD chips. Turns out there won’t be any for a short while. Curiously, this is despite the readiness of manufacturers to get devices out the door.
Newly-released Ryzen AI 300 series chips should easily outclass existing processors currently available in handhelds and NUC-style systems. Their Zen 5 cores, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and configurable TDP should easily see them usurp Team Red’s current best CPUs. However, it seems AMD is curiously holding fire on deploying its new stock to form factors outside of laptops.
According to mini PC manufacturer Aoostar, Ryzen AI 300 series processors won’t be available “until October at the earliest.” Strangely, it claims that it already has compatible motherboards but hasn’t received CPUs from AMD for testing. This is according to ‘AOOSTAR-Liang’, a moderator of the company’s Discord (via Videocardz).
It’s unclear why AMD has taken this approach. Ryzen AI 300 series processors were not subject to the same unexplained delay as their desktop counterparts. As such, there’s no readily apparent reason as to why the company would stagger availability. There’s a chance that the company is hoping to champion mini PCs with its rumoured, high-performance Strix Halo APU. This would unnecessarily hamper its handheld presence, though.
October is also an odd choice, given we expect Ryzen 9000X3D processors to emerge around that time. However, this could indicate that AMD wants to pair 800 series chipsets with its Ryzen AI 300 series stock in mini PCs and handhelds. I certainly wouldn’t complain if Steam Deck 2 came with USB 4 support.
Whatever AMD has planned, it better act fast. Intel already has a Lunar Lake handheld en route in the form of MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, presumably soon. It’s safe to assume most manufacturers will opt for Ryzen APUs, but it’s never wise to rest on one’s laurels.
Until AMD reveals its wider Zen 5 plans, we’re still digesting the reception to its desktop chips. Give our Ryzen 7 9700X & Ryzen 5 9600X review a read for the full skinny. Stay tuned for further thoughts on Ryzen 9 9950X & Ryzen 9 9900X too.