Asus was the pioneer in launching products featuring AMD Strix Point, and now we are witnessing an increase in the announcement of laptops and mini PCs equipped with Zen 5 APUs. A notable trend with these new releases is that they tend to be pricier compared to previous models.
Pricing Insights
For instance, the AOOSTAR GEM10 370 is currently available for pre-order in China, with the top configuration priced around $808. It is anticipated that the price might reach approximately $1,000 or even more when it enters the global market. In contrast, the previous generation GEM10 with similar memory and storage options typically retailed for $569 globally (currently priced at $489 on Amazon).
This indicates that the Strix Point mini PC has experienced roughly a twofold increase in price. This trend is not limited to just one example; the higher-end GPD Duo, one of the first AMD Strix Point laptops, starts at $1,650. This is a significant cost for a laptop that does not include a dedicated GPU, and the initial Asus Zen 5 laptops reflect a similar pricing structure.
Reasons for Price Hikes
A GPD representative has clarified the reasons behind the lack of affordability for these AMD Strix Point products. According to the representative, AMD is pricing the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at double the cost of one of the premium offerings from the Hawk Point series.
This price disparity is evident in the GPD Duo itself. For instance, the version with the Ryzen 7 8840U is priced at $1,270, while the model featuring the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is tagged at $1,650. Therefore, to acquire the same laptop with the top-tier APU from the Strix Point lineup, consumers must pay about $400 more.
Impact on Gaming Handhelds
The price increase compared to the last generation raises concerns for upcoming gaming handhelds, which may explain the lack of announcements in that area. However, there is potential that the AMD Ryzen Z2 series could make the Zen 5 APUs more budget-friendly for manufacturers of handheld devices.
