Asus set the pace by launching AMD’s Strix Point products, and now the tech world is buzzing with the arrival of more laptops and mini PCs equipped with Zen 5 APUs. However, there’s a noticeable trend: these next-gen gadgets come with a steeper price tag.
A case in point is the AOOSTAR GEM10 370, which is now available for pre-order in China at around $808. Once it hits the global market, prices could soar to $1,000 or even more. For comparison, last-gen GEM10 models with identical memory and storage configurations generally retail for $569 globally, with current listings on Amazon around $489. This essentially means a Strix Point mini PC is seeing prices nearly doubling.
This isn’t an isolated instance. The high-end GPD Duo configuration, among the first laptops featuring AMD’s Strix Point, starts at a hefty $1,650. Without a dedicated GPU, this price is quite steep. The initial batch of Asus Zen 5 laptops followed a similar pricing trend, raising eyebrows.
GPD’s representative shed some light on this pricing dilemma, explaining that AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is sold at double the price of the top-end options in the Hawk Point lineup. This pricing disparity is evident in the GPD Duo itself. The variant with the Ryzen 7 8840U costs $1,270, while the version with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 jumps to $1,650. Essentially, there’s a $400 premium for the top-tier Strix Point APU configuration in the same laptop model.
This stark price increase compared to previous generations is a concerning signal for upcoming gaming handhelds, potentially explaining the delay in new announcements. However, there’s a glimmer of hope that the AMD Ryzen Z2 series might offer more budget-friendly Zen 5 APUs for handheld OEMs.
Abid’s passion for technology began with building his first PC, sparking a journey fueled by relentless curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape. As a dedicated tech reporter, Abid values transparency, accuracy, and impartiality, striving to provide the most precise insights into the technological forefront.
