Confused Between Ryzen 7 7735U and Core 7 240h

Random Guy with mustache · May 21

So I'll be starting college in coming few months and I needed a laptop that can do it all, have decent enough build quality and flexibility, I do plan on switching to Linux based distros, going to pursue bachelors in Computer Science, (so a lot of programming).

I know that thinkpad is the GOAT when it comes to longevity and build quality, I came across Thinkpad e14 (gen6) with Ryzen 7 7735U and Radeon 680m. Build quality is what you'd expect from a thinkpad, metal build altho the typing experience isn't as good as top of the line thinkpad series.

Now alternatively, there's Thinkbook by lenovo, kind of a new line up with specs as follows
Intel Core 7 240h and Integrated Intel GPU.
I am fully aware that thinkbook's build quality is no where near Thinkpad e14, but is the difference between Ryzen and Intel significant in this case as to change the platform?

Note: AMD has open drivers so they'd be seamless with Linux, thats also one advantage AMD has.

AndrewAsd · May 21

Power draw is the biggest concern here. For both Intel and AMD you can generalise their laptop product lines into 2. U series chips (ultra low power) designed for efficiency and long battery life with lower performance. And H series chips which are high performance counterparts which draw a lot more power and are designed for high performance mobile tasks, often at the cost of lower battery life. For reference below you have the 7735U TDP and 240H, these will vary depending on the manufacturer as they are configureable as listed. Either way they're both more than enough for CS although the core 7 would provide better CPU performance and the ryzen better graphics performance. I'd pick the ryzen model for battery life and graphics performance.

Random Guy with mustache · May 21

1 hour ago, AndrewAsd said:

Power draw is the biggest concern here. For both Intel and AMD you can generalise their laptop product lines into 2. U series chips (ultra low power) designed for efficiency and long battery life with lower performance. And H series chips which are high performance counterparts which draw a lot more power and are designed for high performance mobile tasks, often at the cost of lower battery life. For reference below you have the 7735U TDP and 240H, these will vary depending on the manufacturer as they are configureable as listed. Either way they're both more than enough for CS although the core 7 would provide better CPU performance and the ryzen better graphics performance. I'd pick the ryzen model for battery life and graphics performance.

Should I look for other alternatives? Like HP Elite Book or something else? I've heard E14 thinkpad is all plastic(y) and doesn't live up to the standards of Thinkpad line up?

All I want is a reliable, well built (preferably metallic build) system with either Ryzen 7735HS or U series, or Intel Core 7 series. Lenovo Ideapad is also another contender, but I doubt it's build quality a bit. Please suggest alternatives

AndrewAsd · May 21

2 hours ago, Random Guy with mustache said:

Should I look for other alternatives? Like HP Elite Book or something else? I've heard E14 thinkpad is all plastic(y) and doesn't live up to the standards of Thinkpad line up?

All I want is a reliable, well built (preferably metallic build) system with either Ryzen 7735HS or U series, or Intel Core 7 series. Lenovo Ideapad is also another contender, but I doubt it's build quality a bit. Please suggest alternatives

Definitely shop around and see what else is out there and if it interests you. Also keep in mind that the configurator does allow you to change the base cover material from plastic to aluminum for free which should help it be less flimsy.