The latest iteration of the Surface Laptop could be based on AMD silicon after Microsoft opted to ditch long-standing collaborator Intel, the latest rumours suggest.
According to German IT website WinFuture, the Redmond giant’s new Surface Laptop 3 15-inch model will include AMD CPUs and is set to be unveiled at its event on 2 October.
Despite there being no exact specifications or first pictures available, the news outlet said it was “confident” of the switch to AMD thanks to “a series of corresponding entries in non-public databases of European retailers”.
“According to the current state, we have encountered three AMD-based models of the Surface Laptop 3 with 15-inch display, although this number may of course change,” WinFuture said, before noting the suitability of its top-end Ryzen 3000 series.
“Since the larger edition of the Surface Laptop 3 is a 15-inch model, which should probably offer maximum performance again, the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H and the Ryzen 7 3750H are also suitable,” the website suggested.
“In terms of performance, the chips are about the same level as the 8th-generation Intel Core i7 SoC used in the last Surface series.”
If accurate, the move would make the upcoming 15-inch Surface Laptop the first model to not include Intel processors, providing a further shot in the arm for AMD’s steadily-increasing market presence.
As it stands, WinFuture said it is still unclear as to whether the 13.5-inch version of the device will also be offered with an AMD CPU.
However, according to the website’s dealer information, it is “safe” that this model will continue to be powered by Intel processors.
“It is still unclear whether Microsoft might also offer the 15-inch model, at least as an option, with Intel chips but we do not have any relevant information yet,” WinFuture said. “Instead, you put at least the new Surface Laptop 3 15 fully on AMD.”
