Best Laptops with AMD Processors: Best AMD Laptops in 2020!

Nowadays, most laptops are powered by Intel Processors. Intel has long been the leader in the CPU (central processing unit) market with more than a 90% market share, but it doesn’t mean there are no alternatives out there.  AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) processors have been around since decades ago, and they have gained a lot of popularity lately.  If you’re looking for laptop with an AMD processor, then you’re on the right page! We’ve picked some of the best laptops with AMD processors available right now, but before we jump to the list, let’s first have an idea about AMD processors, and how they compare to Intel.

What are AMD processors and how do they compare to Intel Processors?

The processor (or CPU) is usually referred to as the brain of the computer. It is the component that performs calculations, actions, and runs programs. Having a powerful CPU usually means a fast and more powerful laptop. Along with Intel, AMD develops computer processors and technologies within that field for business and consumer markets since the early 70s.

Although Intel holds more than 90% market share when it comes to computer processors (especially laptops), AMD processors are as good as or even better than their Intel counterparts in some cases. However, laptops with AMD processors were nowhere to be found before AMD launched their Ryzen Processors series, which offer amazing value and performance.

If you’re wondering whether a laptop with an AMD processor is a good choice, here are some advantages of AMD processors over Intel:

• Price: AMD processors have always offered great value for the money. Buying a laptop with an AMD processor can save some money, without sacrificing the performance. In fact, AMD Ryzen processors are not only considerably cheaper than their Intel equivalents, but they also offer better performance!
• Better onboard graphics: Although they can’t compete with dedicated graphics, AMD has some of the fastest integrated graphics you can get. For example, the Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 have the same integrated graphics chip that’s based on AMD’s Vega microarchitecture, and they perform nearly as good.
• Unlocked Processors: Most AMD processors are unlocked for overclocking, which means getting the processor to run at higher speed than what it was initially designed for. Although we wouldn’t recommend that for laptops; it can give a big boost in performance.

However, for most users, the main advantage of getting an AMD laptop is the price. For students, budget gamers, and people who need a laptop for regular use, AMD processors are a great choice.  Because, there is no “best” when it comes to Intel and AMD processors. Both have strengths and weaknesses. And the best thing to do is to consider a laptop with a processor that better suits your individual needs. However, don’t forget that processor is not the only component that matters in your laptop. You should also take into consideration other things based on your specific needs. To help you find the best laptop for your needs, you can read our guide here, on how to choose a new laptop.

Understanding AMD Processors names for laptops:

Intel has long dominated the CPU market, and most people are quite familiar with their core i3, i5, and i7 processors. But what about AMD?  Well, AMD has a similar naming scheme for their Ryzen series: Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, and Ryzen 7. But it’s not that simple, a Ryzen 3 is NOT an equivalent of the Core i3; but it can be more compared to an i5, because all Ryzen 3 Processors come with 4 cores.

In order to help you understand the naming scheme of AMD processors, let’s take the example of the “Ryzen 7 3750H” processor:

Ryzen 7:  Brand segment (3 is for mainstream, 5 is for high performance, and 7 for power users)

3: is for the generation, followed by 3 digits which stand for the performance and model number.

H: This letter suffix stands for high performance in this case. But it can also mean other things. For example, “G” indicated that the processor has an AMD Radeon RX vega card. “U” indicated low power consumption, and “M” indicated ultra low power consumption. There are other suffixes as well, but we won’t cover them because they are found on AMD desktop processors.

What is an APU?

Another name that you will meet when reading the specs of AMD laptops is “APU”. This name was coined by AMD back in 2011, and it stands for Accelerated Processing Unit. An APU is designed to act as a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) both on the same chip. For example, the high end AMD Ryzen 7 3750H has an AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics card, which has a similar performance to an Nvidia MX150. Ryzen APUs should allow for very good gaming at 720p and acceptable gaming at 1080p with less demanding games.

Best laptops with AMD Processors:

Overall, an AMD based laptop is a very good package for most people, and while buying a laptop with an AMD processor is no longer impossible; there aren’t many options out there, especially when it comes to high performance laptops. In order to help you with your search, we compiled a list of some of the best laptops with AMD processors available right now. We will be updating list regularly, so if you have a question or suggestion, ask us in the comments!

Let’s start with the more affordable AMD laptops first, which should be good for students and for daily productivity tasks.

Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L : Best Budget laptop with AMD Ryzen

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The Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L is a popular laptop among students and those looking for a reliable budget laptop. This version comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and an AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics card. This laptop will suit those who want a laptop for basic needs, such as browsing the internet, MS office, watching movies…etc.

The Aspire 5 also comes with great 15,6 full HD screen, which provides vivid colors and excellent viewing angles thanks to the IPS panel. It’s actually surprising how good the display is considering the price. There is a backlit keyboard, and also a good number of I/O options, including HDMI and Ethernet, but no USB-C sadly.

Also, note that this laptop comes with Windows 10 in S mode. Which you can upgrade to normal Windows 10, but you will not be able to go back to S mode.

HP Envy X360 15-cp0053cl

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At a higher price range, we have the HP Envy X360 15-cp0053cl, a 2 in 1 laptop that offers great value for the money. This laptop features an AMD Ryzen 5 2500U Processor, with 8GB RAM, a 256GB PCIe SSD, and an AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card. This laptop is perfect if you need a fast machine for work and productivity, thanks to the PCIe SSD and the quad core processor, the Envy X360 has enough horse power to handle most daily tasks a student or a business user will need to perform.

But the main reason why the X360 is one of the best AMD laptops you can get is actually the display. The Envy X360 15-cp0053cl features a gorgeous Full HD 15,6 inch IPS touchscreen that produces sharp and vivid pictures. However, it’s not the best when it comes to color accuracy; so if you’re looking for a laptop for digital art and if color accuracy is important to you, look elsewhere. The Envy X360 is excellent, however, for Netflix and watching movies.

Lenovo Flex 14 81SS000DUS

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The Lenovo Flex 14 is another great 2 in 1 laptop that packs lots of value for its price. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Priced under 600 dollars, this AMD laptop is a great option for students who want a laptop for note taking.

As its name implies, the Flex 14 comes with a 14 inch touch display, and also comes with an included active Pen, that proves to be useful for drawing or taking notes directly on the screen. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 also helps when dealing with graphics. There is also a good amount of ports, including 1 USB C port, 2 regular USB ports, and an HDMI port.

Battery life is decent, with around 8 hours of use.  Also, with rapid recharging , you can charge your battery up to 80% in just an hour.

Lenovo Ideapad 330S

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If you’re not a fan of convertibles, and prefer a more traditional laptop, here is the Lenovo Ideapad 330S. The Ideapad 330S comes with a second gen AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also features the AMD Radeon Vega 8 which does an amazing job for an integrated graphics chip.

As you can tell, the Ideapad 330S is rather oriented towards business users and people looking for a desktop replacement. The Ideapad 330S also features a 15,6 inch display, which provides good image quality. There is also room for a full keyboard with a separate number pad, and a fingerprint sensor. Battery life is okay, with about 7 hours.

Lenovo ThinkPad E585

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Lenovo’s ThinkPad series has always appealed to business and advanced users, and while all Thinkpads feature powerful Intel processors, it doesn’t mean that Lenovo doesn’t include any AMD processor in their product line. Here, we have the Lenovo ThinkPad E585, a laptop designed for small businesses looking for cost effectiveness. The Lenovo ThinkPad E585 features a second generation AMD Ryzen 7 2700U with AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

The build quality is also excellent, and like all ThinkPads, the E585 is built to last. It also features the renowned Thinkpad Keyboard with a full array of keys, excellent feel, and TrackPoint pointing device.  The E585 is a great option if you’re looking for a laptop that has a good keyboard for typing.

The above laptops are mostly oriented towards students and normal users; if you’re looking for a high performance or gaming laptop with an AMD processor, here are a few other options for you:

Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6MP 

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The Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6MP is a 15,6 inch laptop that features a second gen AMD Ryzen 2700U processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated AMD Radeon RX 540 graphics card. The Swift 3 offers a combination of speed, efficiency and power, at a very competitive price. This AMD version of the Swift 3 is a great option to consider if you’re looking for an affordable laptop to edit video and photos, do your work, watch movies, or even play some games. But most of all, it’s almost 200 dollars cheaper than the version with an Intel i7 processor, and an MX150!

It’s also very stylish and easy to carry around; at only 0.74 inches, it’s thin and light, making it a perfect choice if you want a laptop that you can carry to work or school. The battery life can also last you a full day of work, and offers up to 9 hours of continuous use.

Asus Vivobook K570ZD-ES51

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If you’re a gamer, and prefer a laptop with an Nvidia card, then here is the Asus Vivobook K570ZD-ES51. This laptop comes with a second gen AMD Quad Core Ryzen 5 2500U processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card with 2GB of video memory. The Vivobook K570ZD mostly targets budget gamers, or anyone who might need an affordable laptop with a GTX 1050.

In terms of build quality, the Vivobook K570ZD has a classic design, with blue trims around the edges of the screen and the trackpad. The display is decent, with crisp and clear visuals thanks to the IPS panel. Battery life is also good, with up to 9 hours of use according to the manufacturer.

ASUS TUF FX505DT 

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For those of you who need more power, here is the ASUS TUF FX505DT. This laptop comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 3550H, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB of video memory. The GTX 1650 offers a great performance for its price, and you can play most of today’s titles at medium to high settings. This laptop is great fit for college students, who need a laptop for casual gaming.

The Asus TUF FX505DT also features a 129Hz full HD display, and the bezels around the screen offer extreme immersion in a much more compact package. The Asus TUF FX505DT also comes with an RGB keyboard, a wide array of ports, including 2 USB ports, an HDMI port, and Ethernet port.

Also, if you want a slightly more powerful graphics card, you can check the ASUS TUF Gaming TUF505DU, which comes with 1660Ti.

ASUS TUF FX705DT 

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If you’re a fan of bigger screens, here is the ASUS TUF FX705DT, a 17,3 inch gaming laptop that features an AMD processor. The ASUS TUF FX705DT comes with a 3rd gen AMD Ryzen 7 3750H, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card. Although the specs are similar to the previous laptop, this one comes with a faster Ryzen 7 processor, which can give a little boost for some games.

But the best aspect about the ASUS TUF FX705DT is its wide 17,3 inch display, which is not only perfect for watching movies and streaming Netflix; but also for more serious tasks such as video editing. This laptop is a great fit for those looking for a powerful desktop replacement.

ASUS TUF FX505DV-PB74 : Best gaming laptop with AMD Ryzen

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ASUS is one of the few manufacturers that seem to take AMD mobile processors seriously, and the ASUS TUF FX505DV-PB74 is one of the best laptops with AMD processor you can find right now. This laptop comes with a 3rd gen AMD Ryzen 7 R7-3750H processor, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics card. This is one of the best gaming laptops with AMD processors you can find right now, and it offers great value for your money.

In terms of build quality, the ASUS TUF FX505DV is built to last. With military grade chassis and effective anti dust cooling system, this laptop will certainly serve you for years to come. The I/O is similar to the previous laptops, with a good amount of ports. However, there is no USB type C, which is a huge mistake at this price range.