AMD's Strategic Shift: Ryzen AI 300 Series and Windows 10 Support
In a move that has sparked considerable discussion, AMD has officially dropped support for Windows 10 from its new AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series platform. This decision is evident from the official AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 specs page, which now exclusively lists 64-bit versions of Windows 11, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu as having official support.
Is this a significant development? It largely depends on your preference for operating systems. For those who favor Windows 10 and are reluctant to transition to Windows 11, this news might come as a disappointment. Personally, I find Windows 10 to be a reliable daily driver and only turn to Windows 11 for professional purposes.
The Ryzen 9 AI 9 HX 370 is known for its formidable performance, even in Silent mode. However, users who were considering these laptops and hoped to downgrade to Windows 10 are now out of luck. This preemptive move by AMD is intriguing, especially since Microsoft itself isn't fully dropping Windows 10 support until October 2025. Despite Jerry Nixon's infamous comments calling Windows 10 "the last version" back in the day, it's unrealistic to expect perpetual support for any operating system.
The absence of Windows 10 support on AMD's latest mobile platform is undeniably frustrating for many. There are several valid reasons why users might be hesitant to "upgrade" to Windows 11. These include updates that have introduced Start menu ads and watermarks on PCs lacking AI hardware. While it's reasonable for AMD to begin phasing out Windows 10 support given its upcoming end and the AI-centric focus of its new Ryzen AI chips, this decision is unlikely to sit well with staunch Windows 11 critics.
Ultimately, AMD's strategic shift underscores the industry's broader trend towards embracing AI capabilities and newer operating systems. As technology continues to evolve, users will need to weigh their options carefully and decide whether to adapt to these changes or seek alternatives that align more closely with their preferences.
