My thoughts on Linux and recent AMD Processors.
WHY AM I WRITING THIS?
I bought myself a new ThinkPad E585 which is one of the cheaper models of Lenovo’s ThinkPad LineUp. After a few weeks of getting tired of Windows I decided to switch out the M.2 SSD for a faster one and install linux on it. Unfortunately this was a real pain. Even getting the ubuntu installer to boot took me a lot of research. Once everything was up and running, I thought everything was fine.
BUT NOTHING WAS AS IT SEEMED!
Just after 4 to 6 weeks of using ubuntu with almost trying everything out that I would need for daily use as a developer I decided to sell it and switch to another model. The problem was the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U in combination with the linux kernel that ubuntu 18.04 currently ships with. My ThinkPad was randomly freezing all the time even when nothing was running or the hibernate mode was active. After some research I could verify that this is a problem with the processor and the kernel. So instead of trying to fix the error or wait for a fix in the kernel, I decided it would be better to switch to a model with Intel processor. At the moment I am searching for the best model for my use. Because I work a lot with wired networks and need internet connection when I am travelling I will look at either the X1 Carbon or the T490. Of course I will buy the additional LTE module to use a sim-card for internet on the go. But before finally deciding which model to buy I will have to sell the E585 and save up some more money because the new one would be more than twice the cost of the E585. And Sure I will have more power and longer battery life but it is still very expensive.
Conclusion
I will propably not buy any device with an AMD Processor because that was the second time I gave AMD a try and both times they had problems that were just a pain to solve.
Whats next?
If AMD and or someone from the linux community fix the issues I had I will eventually come back to AMD. But until then I will stick to Intel.