At the moment the assessment embargo lifts on the primary AMD-powered Framework laptop computer. There’s one of many AMD Framework laptops within the lab for Linux testing and benchmarking however sadly no assessment for launch day resulting from being held up by a BIOS regression and thus unable to correctly make the most of accelerated graphics till a brand new BIOS revision is made obtainable within the coming days.
For months people within the Framework upgradeable/modular laptops have been excited for the AMD Ryzen 7040 sequence powered Framework laptop computer fashions that are actually starting to ship to clients. The laptops may be configured with a Ryzen 5 7640 or Ryzen 7 7840U Zen 4 processors with pricing beginning out at $849 USD for the DIY version. Presently of their pre-ordering system new orders will not start delivery till later this quarter.
The Intel-powered Framework laptop computer examined at Phoronix two years in the past was fairly good and so when the chance arose to obtain an AMD Framework Laptop computer I used to be fairly keen. However sadly there hasn’t been a lot to it resulting from a BIOS regression.
After putting in an Ubuntu 23.10 snapshot to the gadget, there was no working desktop and when connecting by way of a VT, there have been AMDGPU points. Lengthy story quick there was a BIOS regression launched… After working with AMD and Framework, a brand new BIOS revision must be obtainable within the coming days to repair the difficulty. However meaning no Linux benchmark outcomes for right now’s assessment embargo raise. However as a discover to those who pre-ordered an AMD Framework Laptop computer, it means you will additionally need to ensure you replace to the most recent BIOS (or keep on BIOS v3.00 because the recognized good model previous to regressing) so you will not run into any Linux show-stopper. A pre-6.5 kernel may be booted with the regressed BIOS to a working desktop however can be producing AMDGPU errors. This additionally is not apparently a Framework-specific challenge however different Phoenix laptop computer mannequin(s) have had the identical or comparable challenge — at the least the likes of the Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 4 AMD with Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U have been unaffected by the issue.
In any occasion as soon as the BIOS challenge is addressed, it must be enjoyable to see how properly the AMD Ryzen powered Framework laptop computer works beneath Linux and the identical degree of upgradeability seen from the prior Intel mannequin. These can see my prior Ryzen 7 7840U Linux benchmarks from an Acer Swift Edge 16 if wanting an instantaneous concept over the efficiency capabilities of this Zen 4 laptop computer processor. Additionally thrilling concerning the Framework laptop computer mannequin is having an open-source EC. This laptop computer will even assist LVFS/Fwupd for firmware updates as one other thrilling facet.
Lengthy story quick, in per week or two must be the Linux assessment and benchmarks for the brand new AMD Framework Laptop computer.
