The answer to “why AMD” is that you get better performance (especially graphics) for the money and better mobile power efficiency than Intel at present.
Makes perfect sense for your situation. In my case it is more...portable power, without a lot of concern on efficiency because I'm always plugged in.
I guess it depends on priorities. I prefer first to be as assured as I can that despite my 0 trust model, my machine isn't factory backdoored, or at least, is less factory backdoored than everyone else's machine.
I guess it depends on priorities. I prefer first to be as assured as I can that despite my 0 trust model, my machine isn't factory backdoored, or at least, is less factory backdoored than everyone else's machine.