When we recently informed you about the problem with the Chuwi brand, which was supposed to be passing off an older processor as a newer model in its laptops, it seemed like a single manufacturer’s isolated slip-up. However, the entire situation is taking on a completely new dimension today and suggests that reality may be far more complicated—and at the same time more worrying.
Ninkear is next
The latest findings from the NotebookCheck portal confirm that the same issue also showed up with another brand, specifically Ninkear. The focus is on the model Ninkear A15 Pro, which, according to official materials, is supposed to offer a Ryzen 5 7430U processor—so a chip built on the newer Zen 3 architecture. But again, reality is different. In a randomly purchased unit, it turned out that an older Ryzen 5 5500U is inside, while the laptop looks and behaves like the newer model externally and in the system.
The scenario is almost identical to the one we described in our previous article. The device’s BIOS and system tools in Windows show altered information that keeps the user convinced they have access to more powerful hardware. In reality, however, it’s a sophisticated manipulation that directly affects the firmware level. A regular user practically has no chance of spotting such a fraud without specialized tools or physically tampering with the device.
The common denominator is the motherboard manufacturer
But that’s where the most crucial revelation of the whole case comes in. All the cases identified so far—whether they’re laptops from the Chuwi brand or Ninkear—share the same denominator. That is the company Emdoor Digital, a Chinese ODM manufacturer that designs and supplies motherboards and full hardware solutions for various brands. This means that the final laptop makers don’t necessarily have full control over what’s inside their devices if they use an external supplier.
This fact fundamentally changes how you see the whole situation. While it originally looked like deliberate deception on the part of specific brands, today it’s becoming increasingly clear that the problem may be rooted much deeper—directly in the supply chain. In other words, brands like Chuwi or Ninkear could be, at least in some cases, merely a link in the chain that took over a ready-made solution without revealing its manipulation.
The situation is made even more complicated by the discovery that there isn’t even a consistent setup within a single model. Tests showed that identical laptops can exist in different versions—some units contain the correct Ryzen 5 7430U, while others have a substituted Ryzen 5 5500U. The difference isn’t visible from the outside and likely relates to different production batches. That means buying such a device turns into a lottery where you can’t be sure what you’re actually getting.
The reveal is finally easier to understand
A major shift has also taken place in the detection of this scam. While until recently you had to physically disassemble the notebook and check the marking directly on the chip, today there is a simpler solution. The latest version of the CPU-Z tool can reveal the true CPU model even despite manipulation in the BIOS. It uses access to the processor’s internal MSR registers, which cannot be faked as easily as the CPU name displayed by the system. This very name — the so-called Processor Name String — has until now been modified to match marketing materials, not reality.
The company AMD has also commented on the situation in the meantime. Its processors are at the center of the scandal. AMD distances itself from the whole affair and states that it had no knowledge of anything like this, and that such practices are in direct contradiction with its rules. At the same time, it does not rule out legal action against the responsible parties, suggesting that the consequences could be very unpleasant for some companies.
Official statement from the Ninkear brand
Even Ninkear itself has already responded with an official position statement, confirming that it has started an internal investigation and is communicating with its ODM partner. At the same time, it urges customers that if they suspect anything, they should contact support. This step suggests that even the manufacturers themselves may not be fully sure about the extent of the problem and are trying to address the situation retroactively.
This is what the official statement says:
“Friends who care about the Ninkear brand,
Recently, an issue related to the incorrect labeling of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U as AMD Ryzen 5 7430U, which was brought to attention by notebookcheck, received significant attention. Although the report published by this site on March 14 after testing clarified that Ninkear products are not affected by this related issue, in line with our commitment to take responsibility toward distributors and users of the Ninkear brand, Ninkear has started an investigation into the affected production batches together with the relevant ODM manufacturer.
At the same time, we have issued guidance for distributors and users of the Ninkear brand. If you come across any related issue, contact your distributor or brand representative immediately, or reach out to us directly via our official email at [email protected].
A special service team has been set up to oversee this matter and other quality-related questions, leading our campaign “Quality Service Month”.
We also welcome our friends from the media to contact us at any time, because together we work to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers who love the Ninkear brand.”
What does this mean for you?
The whole affair is gradually growing from an isolated incident into a potentially systemic failure within the supply chain of cheaper laptops. For users, this means you need to be much more careful when choosing a device—especially when it comes to suspiciously good deals. After all, paper specifications may no longer be a guarantee of what’s actually inside.
Looking back at our previous article, it’s reasonable to ask whether we focused on the wrong culprit. While responsibility to the customer always rests with the final brand, new evidence suggests that the real issue may be hidden with the hardware supplier. If that’s true, this scandal could grow significantly even further in the coming weeks.
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