ECS Confirms AMD Krackan Point for "UP42KP" Laptop Featuring 8 Zen 5/Zen 5c Cores and RDNA 3.5 iGPU
ECS has officially revealed the inclusion of AMD's upcoming Krackan Point APU in its latest laptop, the ECS UP42KP, which is set to debut at CES 2025. Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, this 14-inch laptop is poised to deliver solid performance in the mainstream laptop segment with a focus on affordability and efficiency.
The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 “Krackan Point” is an 8-core APU with a hybrid architecture that combines 4 Zen 5 cores and 4 Zen 5c cores with hyperthreading, making it ideal for everyday workloads and multitasking. The APU also integrates an RDNA 3.5-based iGPU, offering sufficient power for light to medium-intensity graphical workloads, though it doesn’t aim to rival AMD’s higher-end Strix Point or Strix Halo processors.
Performance Highlights
ECS claims the UP42KP will deliver an impressive AI performance of over 40 TOPS, thanks to the Ryzen AI-enhanced capabilities. With a TDP range between 15W and 54W, the APU is optimized for energy-efficient performance, fitting perfectly into the mid-range market.
The laptop will feature DDR5-5600 MT/s memory, Wi-Fi 6, USB4 connectivity, and a lightweight 14-inch form factor. This makes the UP42KP a practical choice for professionals, students, and casual users seeking reliable performance in a portable package.
A Broader Strategy at CES 2025
ECS is preparing to showcase more than just laptops at CES 2025. The company will also unveil new motherboards, including Intel Z890 and B760 series boards designed for Arrow Lake and older Intel CPUs. The UP42KP, alongside the UP42PW—a Snapdragon-powered counterpart—will anchor ECS’s push into the mainstream and affordable laptop sectors.
The Krackan Point APUs, particularly the Ryzen AI 7 350, could also be a viable candidate for budget gaming handhelds in the future, though ECS hasn’t confirmed any specific partnerships in that segment yet.
The pricing and availability of the ECS UP42KP will be revealed during CES 2025, taking place from January 7th to 10th in Las Vegas. This launch marks a significant moment for AMD’s Krackan Point series, highlighting its role in redefining mid-range laptops.
