Ryzen 5 or Core i5

[11081987-joselu]

Hi everyone

I'm renewing my laptop and I've already seen one I like. The laptop is an Acer Aspire 515-43. The hardware is: processor AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, SSD 512GB, Radeon vega 8 graphic card and Wi-Fi 802,11ac (Wi-Fi 5). The thing is, I've read a lot on the Internet that the compatibility between ryzen and Linux gives quite a few problems, and the graphics too. I also have the option to buy the same laptop with an Intel Core i5 1035G1 processor, Intel UHD graphic card, and Wi-Fi 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) but with a considerable price hike. Money is not a "problem", but I have to say that the use I'm going to give it is simple. For compatibility I'm almost sure that the Intel will not give me problems, but I would like to know your opinion about the Ryzen. Both, Intel and Ryzen do not have Windows installed, they come with FreeDOS.

Is Ryzen really going to give me trouble? Is it worth paying more for the same laptop with Intel? Which one would you choose?

Greetings and thanks for your time

[ipv]

For compatibility I'm almost sure that the Intel will not give me problems

you answered your own query.

Both, Intel and Ryzen do not have Windows installed, they come with FreeDOS.

excellent, just the way i like it.

Is it worth paying more for the same laptop with Intel?

if i was you i would.

Which one would you choose?

have been buying, recommending & using desktops & laptops since 20 years with intel inside & intel has never failed me on any machine.

[Frogs Hair]

According to PassMark the i5 benchmarks only slightly higher than the AMD. I only have experience with older AMD CPUs and they have been no problem with Linux. I don't know how AMD graphics are running currently with Linux being a Nvidia user. I have an i5 on my laptop as well.

[QIII]

Just a note ...

AMD is a member of the Linux Foundation.

Brand loyalty can be blinding. The fact is that you should choose hardware that meets your specifications -- whatever the brand.

[11081987-joselu]

Thanks ipv, I appreciate your answer greetings and have a nice week!!

[11081987-joselu]

Thanks QIII, greetings and have a nice week!!

[CatKiller]

The thing is, I've read a lot on the Internet that the compatibility between ryzen and Linux gives quite a few problems,

Not at all.

and the graphics too.

This is the bit.

Intel have a bajillion dollars and spare engineers just down the back of the sofa. They can afford to get all their ducks in a row long before they release new hardware. Nvidia also have quite a lot of money, and their proprietary driver has an awful lot in common with their well-funded Windows driver, so they can have their driver ready to go for all distributions straight away, too. AMD can't afford that. They'll generally release some largely functional code pretty soon after they release their hardware, which then needs to trickle down to all the distributions as they get released, generally being polished up on the way. Older AMD graphics hardware on standard releases is perfectly fine - works well, has most of the kinks straightened out - but new AMD graphics hardware needs really new software. That means that you'll need to use 19.10 or (the not-yet-released) 20.04, or 18.04 with the Hardware Enablement Stack and a PPA that provides newer Mesa.

[QIII]

I've used AMD graphics for years, including back before AMD bought ATI. I've used Intel graphics and NVIDIA. I've had good luck with all of it.

AMD hardware is well supported. AMD is a member of the Linux Foundation. The issue with any OEM is that the very newest hardware may not immediately be support by Linux.

[CatKiller]

AMD is a member of the Linux Foundation.

So are Intel, Nvidia, and Microsoft. The broader point of your post holds, but this specific part isn't a factor.

[QIII]

So are Intel, Nvidia, and Microsoft.

I didn't say they weren't. The point of specifying the membership for AMD is to counter the nonsensical warning about AMD Ryzen and Linux. That's plain FUD.