AMD's new chips bring AI to business laptops

Claims 84% efficiency gains

AMD has unveiled its latest Ryzen PRO processor series, in an attempt to solidify its position in the AI PC market.

The next-generation chips are designed to bring AI capabilities directly to business laptops and desktops, speeding performance and improving efficiency.

The new line-up includes the Ryzen PRO 8040 Series for mobile workstations and laptops, and the Ryzen PRO 8000 Series for desktops. Both use the latest Zen 4 architecture and 4nm manufacturing technology.

"As we continue to expand our AI PC leadership, we are bringing more power and efficiency to a wide array of desktops and mobile PCs," said Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Group at AMD. He added that the new processes "set a new standard" for premium computing.

Ryzen PRO 8040 Series

The Ryzen PRO 8040 Series mobile chips offer up to eight cores and 16 threads. They are designed to tackle tasks like 3D rendering, video editing and complex technical computing.

Leading the series, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has eight cores, 16 threads, 24MB cache and Radeon 780M graphics.

AMD claims "impressive" performance gains over Intel's Core Ultra 7 165U. It says the new chips offer "up to" 72% faster video conferencing speeds while using 84% less power, regardless of whether AI features are enabled.

The processors are also among the first to use WiFi-7 technology.

The Ryzen PRO 8040 Series is expected to become available in Q2 this year, with HP and Lenovo being some of the first manufacturers to offer them in their laptops.

Ryzen PRO 8000 Series

Select models of AMD's Ryzen PRO 8000 series desktop processors boast a dedicated AI engine, designed to efficiently enable immersive AI experiences.

The top-of-the-line chip is the AMD Ryzen 8700G, featuring eight cores, 16 threads, 24MB cache and integrated AMD Radeon 780M graphics. AMD says the 8700G delivered up to 19% better performance than competitors in testing, while consuming less power.

Desktops using with the processor offered up to 47% faster overall performance and a 3x improvement in graphics processing compared to the same models running on the Intel Core i7 14700, says AMD.

For smooth workflows and rapid data access, the Ryzen PRO 8000 Series supports DDR5 memory and PCIe 4.0 technology. Select models also support Wi-Fi 7.

AMD Ryzen PRO 8000 Series processors are expected to be available starting in Q2 this year. Desktops from manufacturers including HP and Lenovo will feature the new chips.