GPD Win
| File:GPD Win-Face View-Open and Running Windows 10.jpg GPD Win - Face view | |
| Manufacturer | GamePad Digital (GPD) |
|---|---|
| Type | Handheld game console / Ultra-mobile PC / Palmtop |
| Release date | October 2016 |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
| CPU | 64-bit x86 1.60GHz up to 2.40GHz (2.56GHz Z8750) multi-core processor Intel Atom Z8700 or Z8750 |
| Memory | 4GB LPDDR3 RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB ROM (eMMC 4.51), one microSD slot (128GB max officially) |
| Display | 5.5" 1280x720, 720p 16:9 Capacitive display, multi-touch support with Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Graphics | Intel HD 405 Graphics 200MHz (600 max) |
| Controller input | D-pad, 4 face action buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, 2 analog sticks |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5GHz), Bluetooth, USB 3.0 Type A, Micro USB, MiniHDMI, headset port. |
| Website | www |
The GPD Win palmtop is a Windows-based handheld computer equipped with a keyboard and gaming controls.[1] It is an x86-based device which runs a full version of Windows 10 Home. The device was envisioned primarily with video game console emulation and PC gaming in mind, but is capable of running any x86 Windows-based application that can run within the confines of the device's technical specifications.[2] First announced in October 2015, it was crowd funded via Indiegogo and two other crowdfunding sites in Japan and China, and was released in October 2016.[3]
History
GamePad Digital (GPD) is a technology company based in Shenzen, China. Among other products, they have created several handheld video game consoles which run Android on ARM architecture. For instance, the GPD XD. The GPD Win was meant to be a way to play PC games, PC-based video game console emulators, and hypervisors (such as VMware and VirtualBox clients) on a handheld device.[4] The appeal of the Win is intended to be that an x86 Windows handheld PC console offers far more PC and emulator gaming support than other architectures and operating systems that are widely used on mobile devices (such as Linux or Android on ARM hardware, or proprietary systems). GPD widely touts this ability on the device's Indiegogo page, with video demonstrations.
The GPD Win was first envisioned in October 2015 (concept, and market research), with further planning in November. By December, the physical design and hardware specifications were determined. By March 2016, initial prototypes were finished, debugged, and shipped to select sources. GPD started accepting pre-orders in June 2016 through several online retailers, including the Indiegogo page. Pre-order backers are offered the device for a discounted price of $330, with an estimated final retail price of $499, but settling on a price of $330 after release.[5] The initial stated goal was $100,000. By April 2016, the project had well exceeded said goal by 535%, with over $616,000 raised by July 2016.[6] By August 2016, small batch shipment to industry personnel were shipped, and by September, the pre-order promotional pricing ceased. GPD started shipping the final product by October 2016, with pre-order backers receiving their devices first.
Software
GPD Win runs Windows 10 Home. GPD stated that per an April 2014 Microsoft decision, Windows is free on all devices with screens smaller than 9 inches. However, devices shipped to backers have a Windows 10 product key to input on initial boot and setup of the device.[7] Unlike most Windows smartphones, The Win is able to run any x86 Windows application that can also be run on PC laptops and desktops.
Technical and physical specifications
The GPD Win has a full QWERTY keyboard, which includes 67 standard keys and 10 expanded function keys. For gaming, the controller broadly mimicked the OpenPandora and DragonBox Pyra style keyboard and controller layout: one D-pad, two analog sticks, four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons (two on each shoulder). The GPD Win was initially intended to use the Intel Atom x5-Z8500 Cherry Trail CPU.[8] However, GPD eventually upgraded the intended CPU, likely due to availability concerns. Instead, the Win came with an Intel Atom x7-Z8700, which is a 64-bit quad-core CPU with a base clock speed around 1.60 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 2.56 GHz.[9] The graphics processor is an Intel HD Graphics integrated GPU with a base clock speed of 200 MHz and a turbo boost of up to 600 MHz.
The Win uses 4 GB LPDDR3-1600 RAM, with 64 GB ROM eMMC 4.51. It has a single microSD slot that can officially support a maximum of 128 GB of storage. However, it can unofficially support a microSD card of 256 GB.
The Win is 15.5×9.7 cm in size. It has a 5.5-inch 1280×720 (720p) H-IPS multi-directional touch screen in 16:9 ratio. It is reinforced by Gorilla Glass 3. The audio system consists of a built-in speaker using a Realtek ALC5645 driver, and a microphone jack. It supports most popular audio, video, and image formats, including MP3, MP4, 3GP, WMV/WMA FLAC, AVI, MOV, JPG, PNG, and BMP.
The GPD Win has a 6900 mAh polymer lithium-ion battery with USB C charging interface (5 V/2.5 A). It has a stated ability to play 80 continuous hours of music or 6–8 hours of online video or online gaming. It is Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11 b/g/n/ac (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) Wifi capable.[10]
GPD has continued to support the GPD Win past release, taking user feedback into account, with driver and hardware updates. As of January 10, 2017, GPD revised the GPD Win's hardware, providing a fix for Intel graphics driver stability issues, fixing the AC charging/boot up bug (described in the reviews section), improved cooling, as well as improving the tactile feedback of the D-Pad, buttons, and keyboard. This includes a software update that improves the buttons responsiveness, and makes changes to the built-in mouse functionality. [11]
Release and reception
GPD began shipping the Win to backers in October 2016. JC Torres of Slashgear gave the Win a 7/10. Stating that it has solid technical specs per expected needs, it's ambitious for being a Windows 10-based handheld console in an industry dominated by Linux-based handhelds, and is well rounded with features. However, he also noted an inconsistent build quality among models, and mediocre sound quality ("loud, but low"). Ultimately, he calls it an "exceptional device".[12] Brad Linder of Liliputing gave a quick review, noting that the unit sent to him for review had some overheating issues during benchmarking, and that the speaker placement typically caused the user to cover it up with their fingers. However, he noted that it's a solid device for its price and niche, and is capable of playing a surprising amount of PC games from video game console emulators, Windows Store, or Steam, given its tablet-PC specs. However, it's not meant for "high-end" gaming, or strongly resource-intensive emulation.[13]
Linus Sebastian made a video review of the Win for the LinusTechTips Youtube page. He complimented its gaming and multitasking capabilities, and was impressed with the hardware specs and hardware design and features overall (to include more I/O ports and features than for instance, a common MacBook). He did lament that the system had some flaws. Among them: The shoulder buttons felt cheaply assembled; the 5.5" 720P screen was not friendly for scaling, and that the device has a bug where it must not be plugged into the AC adapter when pressing the power button in order to boot up (otherwise, it simply loads to the charging screen. It must be plugged back in only after system boot up starts. This issue has since been fixed in subsequent releases). His official verdict was that deciding whether it was worth the price was up to the user, and that the Win made him excited about the prospect of what UMPCs will be capable of in the near future as the hardware progresses further. He compared it to Apple's first iPhone (while stating that it was not as revolutionary), in that it's a great concept that has some flaws with its execution, but is ambitious, practical, and is set to be much better in the future.[14]
| Category | Specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.5 cm x 9.7 cm x 2.2 cm | |
| CPU | 64-bit x86 1.60 GHz Intel Atom x7 Z8700 or Z8750 (2.40 GHz/2.56 GHz max ) | |
| Graphics | Intel HD 405 Graphics 200 MHz (600 MHz max) | |
| Memory | 4GB LPDDR3 RAM | |
| Storage | 64GB Built in eMMC storage MicroSD removable storage (128GB max official support, up to 256GB max unofficial support) | |
| Screen | 5.5-inch, 720p, H-IPS multi-directional touch screen, 16:9 ratio | |
| Audio | High-quality speaker, headphone jack, Realtek ALC5645 audio driver | |
| Keyboard | 67-button, Four-row QWERTY keyboard | |
| Game controls | D-pad, 4 face action buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, 2 analog sticks | |
| Slots | Single microSD slot | |
| Ports | Micro-USB 3.0 Type C USB 3.0 Type A C type Mini HDMI | |
| Battery | Non User-replaceable battery with 6900mAh capacity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 | |
See also
External links
References
- ^ "5.5-inch Windows Laptop Offers PC Gaming on the Go". LaptopMag.
- ^ "GPD Win Intel Z8550 is a Windows 10 game console that fits in a pocket - SlashGear".
- ^ "GPD WIN Intel Z8700 Win 10 OS Game Console". Indiegogo.
- ^ "GPD Win is a handheld Windows gaming PC for $299 (crowdfunding) - Liliputing". 25 February 2016.
- ^ "$299 handheld Windows 10 gaming console fits right in your pocket - Geek.com". 8 March 2016.
- ^ "GPD Win handheld gaming PC available for pre-order for $330 (video) - Liliputing". 8 June 2016.
- ^ Lowensohn, Josh (2 April 2014). "Microsoft making Windows free on devices with screens under 9 inches".
- ^ "GPD Win is a pocket-sized Windows 10 laptop". 8 March 2016.
- ^ "GPD Win handheld gaming PC gets a CPU upgrade ahead of launch - Liliputing". 8 July 2016.
- ^ "GPD Win Specs, Features, Design Pros & Cons- GPD Win Review". 9 March 2016.
- ^ "Major improvements of GPD WIN after January 10 2017 | Dingoonity.org - The Dingoo Community". boards.dingoonity.org. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "GPD WIN Review: Mobile Windows 10 for gaming - SlashGear".
- ^ "GPD Win handheld gaming PC (quick review) - Liliputing". 31 October 2016.
- ^ LinusTechTips (28 November 2016). "Pocket-sized Windows Gaming PC" – via YouTube.