A year ago, I transitioned from the TUXEDO Pulse 15 Gen2 with a Ryzen 7 5700U processor to the TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 16 Gen8 with an Intel Core i7-13700H. While the InfinityBook Pro 16 is a powerful laptop, I, like many Linux users, increasingly value AMD processors for their strong Linux compatibility and focus on open-source development (Intel is busy with other things).
It seems TUXEDO Computers listened! They recently announced the TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 15 - Gen9, offering an AMD variant for pre-order. Let's delve into the key features of this exciting new Linux ultrabook!
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Red or Blue Heart? (Choose Red)
Forget the traditional "blue or nothing" approach—the new ninth generation of InfinityBook Pro 15 breaks the mold. It lets you choose your processor color! You can opt for the blue Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or the red AMD Ryzen 7 7845HS. While the Intel option is available, I recommend the AMD processor with its highly efficient Zen 4 architecture.
The Ryzen 7 8845HS boasts a modern 4nm architecture compared to the Core Ultra 7 155H's 7nm process. This translates to better performance and efficiency. With 8 cores and 16 threads, it can reach clock speeds of up to 5.1 GHz, making it a capable choice for demanding tasks. Additionally, its thermal design power (TDP) of up to 54 watts allows it to switch to performance mode when needed, while still offering good efficiency.
Even better, AMD integrates its faster and optimized Ryzen AI engine. This engine efficiently runs local AI calculations, particularly for tasks like AI image generation, text generation, or even code completion. Speaking of AI, are you with or against its integration into Linux?
The graphics on this laptop rely on the integrated GPU as, unlike its predecessor, there's no dedicated GPU configuration option. But don't let that disappoint you! The InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 AMD variant features the reputable AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics card. Equipped with 12 GPU cores and a clock speed of up to 2.7 GHz, it can handle your low to medium graphical tasks. Further, it allows you to connect up to three external displays simultaneously, with a maximum resolution of 7680x4320 @ 60 Hz.
Last but not least, the cooling system relies on two thin 7mm fans and two heat pipes. This setup keeps the new processor quiet under low load and maintains consistent CPU performance even under heavy workloads.
New Phenotype for Higher Elegance
This generation of the InfinityBook Pro series features a refined design, delivering a fresh set of aesthetic characteristics. The InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 features a premium, compact aluminum chassis, a significant upgrade from the previous generation's plastic/magnesium alloy case.
Magnificently, it maintains a similar level of portability with a nearly identical weight of only 1.6kg and a thin profile at 20mm. The chassis is available in two colors: matte black and silver-grey, with color options dependent on the keyboard layout—grey for ANSI and black for ISO.
Fear not, fans of full-sized keyboards! This new Linux-powered notebook retains a spacious layout with a dedicated four-column number pad and large, offset arrow keys for enhanced ergonomics. The left and right keyboard bezels are impressively thin, giving it a sleek appearance. While this design choice prioritizes aesthetics, practicality remains to be seen.
The keyboard is white-backlit, and the power button has been strategically relocated above the function keys to prevent accidental clicks, addressing a common issue with the InfinityBook Pro 16 Gen8's power button.
The InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 retains the glass-precision touchpad known for its responsiveness. While noticeably smaller than the Gen8's touchpad, it remains sizeable and comfortable. Unlike previous InfinityBooks, this touchpad is positioned moderately to the left of the letter keys' center, which may affect right-handed users like myself. As with any design change, it's always best to try it out before making a judgment.
Have you used a laptop with a bezel-less keyboard or a left-side touchpad? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
Brighter 15.3-Inch Display
The InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 boasts a brand-new matte, anti-glare Omnia display panel, offering a noticeable upgrade to the already impressive Gen8 model. While the Gen8 offered 14-inch and 16-inch display options, the Gen9 carves a niche with a unique 15.3-inch panel. This size provides a comfortable balance for users who might find 14-inch displays too small and 16-inch displays a bit bulky.
The display features a stunning HiDPI resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, a comfortable 16:10 aspect ratio, and a buttery smooth refresh rate of up to 240Hz. This high refresh rate ensures exceptional fluidity for fast-paced tasks like video editing or high-performance applications. Additionally, you can switch down to 60Hz for improved battery life when needed. The omission of intermediate refresh rates (between 240Hz and 60Hz) is a recurring drawback from the previous generation.
One of the most notable enhancements is the significant increase in maximum brightness. Compared to the 350 nits of the Gen8 panel, the Gen9 offers a much brighter 500 nits, making it perfect for working in brightly lit environments or enjoying vibrant content outdoors. This improved brightness significantly enhances the viewing experience.
Finally, the 100% sRGB color gamut delivers vivid and accurate colors, ideal for creative professionals or anyone who appreciates stunning visuals. The 180° hinge adds to the versatility of the laptop, allowing for comfortable viewing from various angles.Same Battery, Longer Life
The InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 boasts the same impressive 99Wh battery capacity as its predecessor. However, thanks to the energy-efficient AMD Zen 4 architecture and optimized open-source Linux drivers, it delivers significantly longer battery life.
In the Intel variant, battery life is expected to improve over the Gen8, which suffered from the power-hungry i7-13700H CPU with its outdated 10nm technology and non-optimized drivers (Intel's fault, not TUXEDO's). However, it won't match the AMD variant due to the older 7nm technology compared to AMD's 4nm.
The InfinityBook Pro 15 promises remarkable battery life, lasting up to 10 hours for office work (including web browsing) and up to 13 hours for local video playback at medium brightness. You can further extend this runtime by activating one of the power-saving profiles in the convenient TUXEDO Control Center.
While
this isn't the best battery life on the market, the new InfinityBook offers sufficient power to get you through a workday without
needing to be tethered to a wall outlet. Additionally, this generation
comes with a handy 100-watt USB-C power supply, complementing the
laptop's sleek design and ensuring convenient charging.
Better Port Selection
There is no more need for a LAN to USB-C adapter with the new InfinityBook Pro 15. It features an RJ45 1 Gbit (LAN) port on the backside, along with HDMI 2.1 (HDCP 2.3) and a USB4 port with DisplayPort 1.4 (Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1 in the Intel variant) and Power Delivery DC-In support.
The right side includes two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports and a full-size card reader supporting SDXC cards with up to 985 MB/s data speeds. The left side hosts a Kensington Security Slot, a USB-A 2.0 port, a 2-in-1 audio jack (headphone + mic), and a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port offering DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery DC-In.
This updated port selection makes the Gen9 more versatile and convenient than the Gen8.
Extra Security Measure
The new TUXEDO Linux laptop offers robust security features. From the BIOS (UEFI) menu, you can disable WLAN, Bluetooth, webcam, and audio. Notably, the webcam and audio can be disabled only on the Intel variant, where you can also deactivate the suspicious Intel Management Engine (Intel ME). Both variants support TPM 2.0, which can be toggled via the UEFI menu, using Intel PTT and fTPM.
Additionally, the InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 includes a built-in webcam shutter, eliminating the need for black tape when not in use. For physical security, the classic Kensington lock slot is perfect for securing your laptop in public places, giving you some reassurance when you need to step away for a moment.
Preorder Now Open, Shipping by End of July
You can now preorder the InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 directly from the TUXEDO Computers website, with shipping promised by the end of July.
The AMD base configuration starts at 1,050 EUR (~1,136 USD, excluding taxes and shipping fees). It includes the efficient Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, 16 GB of fast 5600MHz DDR5 RAM, a 500 GB Samsung 980 SSD, and comes with the in-house TUXEDO OS. Alternatively, you can choose Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Ubuntu Budgie as the operating system.
In comparison, the Intel base configuration, which features the same RAM and SSD storage, starts at 1,168 EUR (~1,263 USD, excluding taxes and shipping fees). Intel, of course, demands extra dollars for their "innovative" new CPU naming scheme. Therefore, I recommend opting for the AMD variant and using the saved $100 to personalize your laptop with features like a custom keyboard layout, a unique super key, or a customized chassis logo.
🗨Would you consider the TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 15 Gen9 for your next Linux laptop? Do you typically favor AMD or Intel processors for your Linux machines, and why?
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