Hardware specifications are generally trusted, if only because they’re hard to fake. But a recent batch of budget laptops from brands originating in China may have done just that, swapping in older, less-powerful AMD Ryzen CPUs and allegedly cheating customers. Chuwi and Ninkear have been the target of investigations showing Ryzen 7000 chips swapped for older 5000-series CPUs.
According to investigations by NotebookCheck following inconsistencies in review benchmarks, at least one Chuwi CoreBook X laptop is actually using an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor despite being advertised as featuring a Ryzen 5 7430U. These are fairly similar chips: both 6-core models designed for relatively efficient laptops, both using DDR4 memory and PCIe 3.0. But the 5500U is a Zen 2 design with a base clock of 2.1GHz, while the 7430U is a Zen 3 chip with a base clock of 2.3GHz. It’s not massively faster or better, but you can spot a difference if you’re looking (as it’s almost three years newer).
NotebookCheck’s investigation revealed that this wasn’t just a mislabeled spec list or a packaging switcheroo. In both the Windows drivers and the laptop’s BIOS, the CPU shows as a 7430U. But when the machine was disassembled and the cooling hardware removed to expose the chip itself, the manufacturing label revealed a 5500U part. That implies a deliberate deception on the part of the manufacturer to obfuscate the real hardware. The same mislabeled CPU—standing in for the same newer Ryzen 7000 model—was also spotted on at least one Chuwi Corebook Plus laptop.
An updated post indicates that more laptops with the same CPU switch might be affected, specifically the Ninkear A15 Pro. This doesn’t appear to be universal, as previous review units of that model appear to have genuine 7430U CPUs. But despite differences in branding, both laptops come from from Emdoor Digital/Shenzhen Emdoor Information Technology, a white box manufacturer from China. Also known as original design manufacturers (ODM), such companies create generic hardware that’s then sold to other companies and badged under different labels.
The laptops are not identical, having different screen sizes and chassis designs. But it would track that a manufacturer trying to pass off older, slower chips might pull a little software trickery to disguise them. Such tricks aren’t unheard of, but they’re generally seen on secondhand or other gray market hardware, sometimes in GPUs or SSDs. Chuwi and Ninkear are both budget brands, selling at prices well below similarly-equipped hardware from bigger names like Acer or Lenovo.
As far as I can tell, the CoreBook X and CoreBook Plus lines aren’t sold in the US on Chuwi’s official store, and Ninkear doesn’t sell to the US at all. Both companies’ products are available on reseller markets like Amazon.
NotebookCheck calls this “CPU fraud,” an accusation that PCWorld cannot independently confirm. I’m contacting Chuwi, Ninkear, and Emdoor Digital for comment and will update this story if I get replies.
Update, Thursday, March 19th: Ninkear responded to my inquiry with this statement:
Recently, the issue regarding the misrepresentation of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U product as an AMD Ryzen 5 7430U, as reported by notebookcheck, has garnered significant attention. Although the report published by the website on March 14th has tested and clarified that Ninkear products are not affected by this related issue. adhering to our commitment to responsibility towards Ninkear distributors and users, Ninkear has initiated an investigation with the relevant ODM manufacturer into the affected product batches.
We have also issued an advisory to Ninkear distributors and users. If you encounter any related issues, please contact your Ninkear distributor/sales representative immediately, or reach out to us directly via our official email at [[email protected]].
A dedicated service task force has been established to oversee our “Quality Service Month” campaign, which addresses this and other quality-related matters. We also welcome our friends in the media to contact us at any time, as we work together to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of consumers who love Ninkear.
AMD has also responded to the situation with an official statement:
AMD has clear and strict regulations governing the naming, use, and labeling of product models. Any unauthorized use of model names or mislabeling will seriously disrupt the normal market order and may mislead consumers.
AMD has always placed great importance on the accuracy and transparency of product information, and is committed to maintaining a fair and orderly market environment and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of users. Our company has taken this matter very seriously and reserves the right to pursue legal action against the relevant parties.
I have yet to receive a reply from Chuwi or Emdoor.
Update, Friday, March 20th: Chuwi has responded to me, four days later. A representative said only that the company is “investigating the matter.”
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 15-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.