HP announces the AMD Ryzen-powered Pro c645 Chromebook

Hp Pro C645 Chromebook
Hp Pro C645 Chromebook (Image credit: HP)

What you need to know

  • HP launched two Chrome Enterprise devices this morning: a new G3 Chromebox and the Pro c645 Chromebook.
  • There are options to order the HP Chromebook Pro c645 with AMD Ryzen processors.
  • Hints that a Ryzen-powered Chromebook was coming started back in April 2020, but this is the first announced using the new APU from AMD.

It's time for new Chromebooks to start hitting retail shelves, but today HP gives us a glimpse at a model that's more likely to appeal to enterprise users: The HP Pro Chromebook c645.

It looks like another outstanding enterprise grade Chromebook from the company, complete with options like a 128GB M.2 SSD storage drive, up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1080p 14-inch touchscreen, and all the ports you'll need (including a Kensington Lock). Oh it has one other really cool spec — models featuring a Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, or Ryzen 7 CPU.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CategoryHP Pro c645 Chromebook
Processor OptionsAMD Athalon 3050C
AMD Athalon 3150C
AMD Ryzen 3 3250C
AMD Ryzen 5 3500C
AMD Ryzen 7 3700C
GraphicsIntegrated AMD Radeon Graphics
MemoryUp to 16GB DDR4
StorageUp to 128GB NVMe M.2 SSD
Expandable StoragemicroSD
ConnectivityIntel 2x2 Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0, both with HP Extended Range Antenna Design
Ports2x USB-A 3.2
2x USB-C 3.2
1 HDMI 1.4
Headphone/Mic combo 3.5mm jack
Kensington Security Lock slot
SecurityGoogle Titan C chip
Optional fingerprint sensor
HP Privacy Camera
Dimensions323.6 x 221 x 16.5 mm
Weight1.54 kg
AvailabilityDecember

Source: HP

It's always great to see a new high-end Chromebook come out, but the real interesting part here is the inclusion of an AMD Ryzen-branded processor.

These won't be the same Ryzen series CPUs you might find in a desktop (that also requires a huge cooler and hefty power supply) but something more in line with AMD's successful line of APUs (Application Processor Unit) that power plenty of small PCs and game consoles. Just with a little more "oomph" factor.

HP already makes the Chromebook 14 that uses an AMD processor with a dual-core,dual-thread design and a 6-watt Thermal Design point (a way to measure power usage). It's believed that these new AMD chips will deliver more power — up to 4 physical cores with 8 threads in the Ryzen 7 3700's case — and use true AMD Radeon Vega GPUs. Of course, the trade-off is these won't have the same power-sipping 6-watt TDP.

All the tech talk aside, what HP is offering should have the equivalent power of a Chromebook with an Intel "laptop" grade core i5 and core i7 but with a much better GPU. This means they should make for an excellent enterprise device indeed.

Look for more information about availability and pricing as we move closer to the December launch of this beauty.

Jerry Hildenbrand
Senior Editor — Google Ecosystem

Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he can't take apart, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll find him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Twitter.