Overview GPD Win - the smallest gaming laptop on Windows

The company is known for GPD handheld game consolesWhich can be purchased at any store provider. More recently, the main platform for them was the Android OS, but the developers decided not to stop there.

So there kraudfandingovy project GPD Win - a handheld device with a QWERTY-keyboard and a built-in gamepad developed with Intel processor. It is controlled by a desktop Windows 10, and is made in the form factor of Nintendo consoles.

The device has been one of the most popular projects on Kickstarter in 2016, promising to replace all portable devices.

Specifications

Design

As can be seen from the characteristics, the device is designed for a wide range of users: the traditional architecture of the processor can be used in a wide variety of applications. Developers had to try to implement the functionality available as comfortably as possible.

GPD Win a little larger than usual smartphone on the diagonal, but with a huge thick - just once looked communicators (including on Win SE) and UMPC.

The pocket is placed, while 365 g of well it is pulled. This despite the fact that the metal is formed only the upper cover. The main part of the body - made of plastic.

Hinges seem shaky enough, especially when the device is opened on a maximum of 180 degrees, but a long period of testing has shown their dependability. Gadget collected qualitatively: no squeaks, no backlash is observed.

From an all-metal housing developers refused because of the high heat, to cope with which many vents are not helped: GPD Win had to be equipped with an active system cooling.

Three-position switch fan speed developers put on the bottom surface. It allows cooling off or choose between the average and maximum speed. At an average speed of the system is very quiet, but at high speeds it is heard clearly even at maximum volume built-in speaker.

The speaker is located on the right side. Not the most convenient location, but the left side, the lower surface and the rear end of busy vents and peripheral ports.

keyboard unit

Dimensions GPD Win forced developers to abandon the usual keyboard and touchpad. We have two-piece QWERTY-keyboard in the style of Nokia E72 and full replacement gamepad: two analog stick, a 4-way joystick, four keys (A, B, X, Y) and two pairs of clickers (L1, L2, R1, R2).

The main role of the keyboard - Auxiliary: Enter login and password. The keys are convex, but closely located, the owners have big fingers hard. About blind typing you have to forget at all: non-standard layout. Localization is not and is not intended, but laser engraving will always help. On the other hand, write code, or with the command line does not prevent the lack of Cyrillic.

The additional block is made up of the standard for compact console keys and power button (flat to avoid accidental presses).

game Controllers

Game Controllers use quality toppings Japanese company Omron. How GPD Win gamepad is very comfortable: high sensitivity, light pressing, the correct layout.

Between the sticks is the operating mode selector.

1. Direct Input to emulate manipulators in older games.
2. mouse emulation. In this mode, the cursor moves left stick, right responsible for scrolling, and L and R are used as mouse keys.
3. Xbox gamepad with classic layout and full compatibility with current applications.

The existence of two similar modes of operation is due to software compatibility. Gamepads to work in the old and modern games use different sets of drivers. The switch eliminates compatibility issues at the hardware level, so the GPD can work and gaming industry news, and emulators NES.

Display

GPD Win equipped with 5,5-inch IPS-matrix with HD resolution (1280 × 720). The screen is really good: correct color reproduction, viewing angles are fine enough clarity and brightness are the envy of flagship smartphones.

Touchscreen, glass coated Gorilla Glass 3 for protection from scratches. Sensitivity is very good, so sometimes it is really easy to point a finger, you can use the manipulators.

hardware platform

As the processor developers GPD Win used Intel Atom x7-8700 (Cherry Trail) and its version x7-8750 with increased up to 2.6 GHz frequency for Turbo Boost mode (basic frequency - 1.6 GHz). Graphics core integrated - Intel HD 405 with 16 shader and a frequency of 200-600 MHz.

Furthermore, the device is equipped with 4GB of RAM and a 64 GB constant eMMC, is used instead of the hard disk. To increase its volume may be due to the microSD slot that supports memory cards up to 256GB.

peripheral communications

The gadget is equipped with a full set of advanced interfaces. Wireless communication types represented dual band Wi-Fi (a / b / g / n / ac) and Bluetooth 4.1.

No problems with the connection, set-top box works great with any wireless peripherals: from router to wireless headsets and joysticks.

Although slot for a SIM card is not present, as the camera device equipped with a microphone and operates with voice (e.g., via Skype).

Built-in mini-jack has 4 poles, therefore, can be connected to a wired headset GPD Win. To physically connect the provided USB 3.0, USB-C (including for charging) and a mini-HDMI-C (adapter to more traditional is not supplied).

Stand-alone operation

Charging device is using the complete power supply of 5 V / 2.5 A with a yield of USB-C. Fully battery at 6700 mAh replenished 4 hours.

energy storage is enough for 4-5 hours of active play and up to 8 hours of video playback in autonomous mode at minimum brightness. Quite good results taking into account the processor gluttony.

Software

GPD Win works under the control of the most common Windows 10, which gives certain advantages over other portable gaming platforms like Nintendo and PSP Vita.

Thanks to this GPD Win can use any software: from Microsoft Office and ending with AutoCAD. Of course, the screen size and keyboard seriously limit the capabilities of the device. But even they do not interfere with use of the gadget to write code that works with remote servers, or configure your network equipment. Win These applications can replace a netbook.

As the game GPD Win platform performance is enough for most games released a few years ago. About updates to the gaming industry, such as Doom or "The Witcher 3" will have to forget. But the little old games work perfectly: Half-Life 2 on the highest setting shows the stability of 30-80 frames per second (fps), S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and TES 4: Oblivion - 50, Doom 3, Left For Dead, Dead Space and Bioshock 2 - no less than 30. Strategies such as Heroes of Might and Magic 5 and even dynamic NFC Carbon operate at 30-50 fps.

Developers have attended high-quality drivers for all the components of set-top boxes. It provides the excellent work of popular emulators DosBox and Dolphin.

conclusions

At GPD received an interesting niche product, and the successful start of sales has allowed the company to launch an even more original device called Pocket. Device found a buyer despite the cost $ 355.

Pros GPD Win:

• the original form factor;
• convenient operation;
• balanced characteristics;
• a wide selection of games and other programs;
• quality software.

Cons GPD Win:

• Average autonomy;
• the absence of localized keyboard.

Unlike all GPD Win competitors can perform not only as a portable game console, but also "earn" as a netbook. Performance will be enough to connect an external monitor (with a resolution up to 4K) - will be comfortable working computer. And how much more interesting Win console Nintendo devices due to the infinite number of supported games.