AMD and Qualcomm team up to create “always connected” notebooks with LTE modem solutions

Anyone who travels frequently will know how much of a bother getting a stable internet connection can be, whether it is hunting for a cafe with free WiFi or a hotel where the internet can be used without restrictions. 

Qualcomm is pushing for an “always connected” future for PCs, at least when it comes to mobile PCs, announcing a partnership with AMD that will combine Ryzen Mobile processors with Qualcomm LTE modem solutions to give users access to Gigabit Ethernet internet connections using their mobile data plan. This will bring users a lot more freedom when using their PCs on the go, though this does not mean that all Ryzen mobile PCs will come with a Qualcomm LTE modem (that is up to OEMs). 

This partnership is great for both Qualcomm and AMD, allowing Qualcomm to ship more of their Snapdragon LTE modems and give AMD the ability to add some interesting new functions to their platform. Intel currently creates their own LTE modems, though at this time Qualcomm is ahead of Intel when it comes to LTE speeds, giving AMD an advantage over Intel. Apple’s iPhone X is made using Intel or Qualcomm LTE modems depending on when the device was created, with some users reportedly returning their devices to get a “superior” model with a Qualcomm modem, though in real terms the performance difference is minimal between both manufacturers.