GPD shipped me a faulty device (the original Win Max) with a bad keyboard right out of the box. When I reached out immediately, they made ME pay to ship it to China ($120), sent it back to me in its original state with zero communication, then claimed that they changed their mind and refused to fix it. As tantalizing as their products are, I can’t do business with someone like that. Besides, all 3 of the GPD devices I’ve ordered over the past several years have had major QC issues. I’ll stick to Valve or literally anyone else.
Got a bad keyboard too, had to buy replacement from them via paypal which took months to arrive. Still have to install, kind of a pain. Also, will need to reapply thermal paste since the Intels get ..toasty.
GPD social media person/people are cocky and terrible any anything can be. I questioned why they were attacking one-netbooks choice for the one xplayer the origonal for its 1600p display and making questionable jabs at its competitors choice by making bad claims with terrible "screenshots" claiming artifacts would occur on the display. I've been lucky with GPD but only had the win 1 and win max but heard a lot of terrible problems even viruses on a handful of units.
Dude thats all chinese companys u think retronpocket or anbernic are any better lol dont get me atarted on powkiddy customer service when getting a illegal retro rom hacking device its to be expected u should of just reported it never deliverd and got ur money back trying to deal with a chinese company is ur fault thats just loco
@@CHICKENmcNUGGIESMydudeervice from both anbernic and retroid have been solid for me, and those are also much cheaper devices. If I were buying something materially more expensive from someone like GPD, they should be giving at least as reasonable of support as the other Chinese companies, if not even more since they are asking for multiple times more money from the consumer. No need to lump all these companies together when some are better than others.
Great video! Thanks for covering HC during the video. I watched the part about CEMU and I think Casper and I should discuss how we can make AutoTDP smarter. If ten more Watts only brings two more fps, it's not worth doing.
I always took a laptop and my 3ds on deployments. For Soldiers, Sailors and other servicemembers on deployment with limited space, this may be a great device to stay connected with family, game, and stream movies all in one.
But it's no longer a handled. Too uncomfortable to play in your hands. The orginal max was a more comfortable experience even if it was a lower quality product.
@@Thesavagesouls it is a handheld lmao, and far superior to the Win Max. If GPD listened to you, we'd have an inferior device. No thanks, I've utilized my Win Max 2 for years now and got very good use out of it.
I have the 6800U version from last year, and I'm really happy with it. I think I commented before that it's my "do everything" device. I also have a desktop PC, but I rarely use it these days - I use my GPD for games, programming, shopping, etc. I don't travel that often, but it is convenient when I do. I do agree about the weight / ergonomics being less than ideal, but I like the compactness and don't believe they could significantly reduce the weight without negatively impacting performance or battery life, so I can live with it. As you said, having it resting on a table when sitting or on my chest when laying down helps.
I had the 6800u max 2 and absolutely loved it. The screen needed to get less bright for bed time use in my opinion. Unfortunately I had to sell it because of an electrical problem in our house. I really hope to get another soon! Unless the "win mini" ends up be awesome. I enjoy your videos thanks!
@@VegitoBlackityBlackhe means that the minimum brightness range you could set your screen to was too bright even at the minimum too bright for you to use it in a completely dark room, referring to while sleeping
This is literally the ONLY option if you want a laptop under 13 inches rhat has anything more powerful than a pentium. For some reason every single 11 and 12 inch laptop on the market has either a celeron or pentium. I would love a cheap 11 inch laptop with a ryzen 3 but they just do not exist.
Ikr I don’t really get it. People are still like obsessed with big screens or something, but it’s never portable. Honestly small laptops like this would be amazing for people who fly. You already have limited space as is for your luggage and so who really wants a big laptop taking up a bunch of room? We got smaller windows handhelds at least now but what about laptops?
@Justin-xi6ue right? I didn't mind carrying s 14 inch laptop until I got my steam deck, asking me to travel with a beefy steam deck AND a 14 inch laptop is just too much. I literally just want an 11 inch laptop powerful enough to emulate ps2 and gamecube and play some indie games
@@johnsducks9816 For me it’s about the same but I’m also a music producer. I don’t have any Windows handhelds to try it on but this type of laptop seems perfect for that kind of thing. It’s as you said as well in that laptops this size tend to not be that powerful. Thing is though things like music production, video editing, or gaming need strong specs. Totally sucks we don’t have more options. Was thinking I could have something like the GPD and just bring along a controller with me. The controls don’t even need to be built in like that honestly. Kinda shocking in a way that there’s this big gap in the market, in which GPD seems to be the only one fulfilling. If I had the money I might consider getting this, but honestly idk how I feel about spending that much towards a Chinese company like GPD. Personally I’d rather buy from a bigger name brand like HP or Asus.
@@Justin-xi6uethe major problem point is GPD having poor warranty services and charging shipping for defects. Lack of 3rd party DIY repair parts that Framework and Steam Deck have major advantage over despite being dedicated devices.
@@Aereto Yeah that’s precisely why I’m cautious about them.. Given GPD is much more established, everything that’s also gone on with AYN gives me a bit of a bad taste about ordering Chinese tech. I’ve got an Odin and it’s been great, but the lack of post launch software support has been pretty bad. The promises and bugs that still need fixing are probably never going to happen, and if it does it’ll be by the time Odin 2 comes out. I mean if I’m already experiencing that on the software side of things on an Android, what could I expect on a laptop? The idea of having to send it all the way back to China if there’s an issue sounds terrible.
I have the 2022 version and am eager to get my hands on this new one with the Oculink port. I actually find that this is practically a 3 in one, it replaces a laptop, a handheld and a tablet! The handheld ergonomics can be resolved easily by getting a grip on Etsy, and If OcuLink catches on and performs as I hope, this device may end up replacing my Desktop as well. I would just upgrade to the newest version every 3ish years.
I have the 6800U one too and this didn't make me bummed I didn't wait and buy this. I've used mine an ton and for emulation it does everything I want. More than half the time I use it for a notebook anyway, and I love the form factor. I'll upgrade on the next version, I have a rule I have to have a generation between my purchases so this one is the odd one I'll upgrade on the next.
Honestly I thought so too, but this is more like a refresh. The performance on the 6800U is already strong enough. If anything, it makes me excited for the Win Max 3 down the line. I hope they continue to make improvements because the difference between the Max 1 and the Win Max 2 was worth it. I didn't even feel like I missed out when they did the Win Max 1 refresh after getting my Max 2, it was well worth the wait.
i ordered mine recently, im a train operator and i wanted an all in one device that fits perfectly in a backpack, for me this is perfect, even if its heavier it takes much less space in my backpack than the deck is taking because it does not need a case to cover the screen or buttons, also my desktop is getting old except for the gpu, so i plan on using it as an external gpu for my win 2
Ordered mine a bit ago. I really do enjoy my Steam Deck but wanted something like this with the Keyboard and that ran Windows out of the box. Can't wait to get mine.
I've had the 6800u Win Max for a while now, and it's the only Windows "handheld" I've kept. For my preference, this was the only one I was happy navigating and dealing with Windows. With my other Windows handhelds, I just had too much trouble getting things to display and work properly. I like how I can pretty much do everything I want to do with this thing, from gaming to work, and it's great. I don't like the fan noise, especially at low speed, it has an annoying hum that I can feel in the chassis.. and it also gets quite loud when doing some heavy gaming. Gorgeous screen, easy to setup and use, I'm a happy camper 👍 thanks for the great reviews ✌️
Hi Russ! I have the 6800u Win Max 2. I really like it as an all-around travel computer, and at home it is great for light gaming/ productivity/ web on the couch. It replaced a 7-ish year old Dell XPS that was beautiful but had started having trouble keeping up. The SD card reader, lots of ports, and a decent screen were really important to me for backing up/ light editing my photos on trips. And my kiddo and I had a great time playing games on it when there was down time. I'll probably replace mine in a couple of years and give the 6800u to my kiddo as his first PC 😀.
@@tomcruz3774 Hello there! Nope. The new one is better, but just a little. The 6800u will be good enough for several years. I may give my Win Max2 -6800u to my kid in a year or two if I really want a new one. But I think it will be at least four years before there are any games I want to play portably that it can't play.
I had the first 6800U version and didn't like typing on it until I got a wrist rest, once my hands were elevated to about the same height I don't notice the keyboard is too small. I personally like having a full PC in this form factor. I could get a tablet, Android or Apple, and a keyboard for a simular size but I don't consider Android or iOS 'full' or 'real' computer OSs. I just feel a lot more comfortable with either Linux or Windows, with mobile OSs I just feel really constrained. Gaming, eh, unless I'm laying down I don't like it. I take a Retrobit big6 with me for when I'm not laying down, my favorite controller right now. It isn't easy to just pull out and play on the go. It is more of get to my destination and play. For emulation though I find it perfect, the 6800U plays everything I want. Overall I'd rather have this than a full size notebook but for gaming it is doable but not 100% perfect.
I brought the 64 gig one. I like that I can use it for gaming but I'm primarily using it for productivity. The applications I'm using it for require as much RAM as possible and I frequently run into bottlenecks on everything but my desktop that has 128 gigs of ram. I'd love to be able to do that work on the go. Even if I wanted a bigger laptop, which I don't, I like its tiny size getting a laptop that comes with that much high-speed ram or even low-speed ram would cost me much more.. I also like that it has stylus compatibility. I will definitely test the heck out of its gaming capabilities because I do like to game and I like its portability and high PPI display. I have reasonably strong arms and I've often wished that I could buy controllers that would allow me to hold a laptop or a tablet PC like a portable game console.
That form factor is just so sexy. As a writer, I’m always on the hunt for a mythically small yet reliably usable productivity device, and that 10” form factor is really, really appealing. To this point, the best thing I can find that bridges all the gaps decently enough is an old 2016 12” MacBook. That device really isn’t comparable to something like this, and while your workflow is different than mine, I’m very interested in seeing how the vacation plays out with this as a more primary, all-in-one device while away from your other devices.
I once had a 10" Chromebook I bought specifically while writing my third cookbook, and the experience was a nightmare -- bad typing experience, sluggish performance, the works. Recently I've been using an iPad with the Magic Keyboard when writing, it's a fair experience (I enjoy its simplicity in design). I'm actually hoping to knock out some writing on the Win Max 2 while on this trip (somehow some of my best writing is done on a plane), so I'll let you know how that goes :)
I still use my 2016 12” MacBook and have been holding out for a suitable replacement😢 doesn’t sound like Apple wants to make small laptops anymore since they’ve moved to making huge tablets. I do love small form factor devices though as I travel a lot
I'm glad I don't pull the trigger on the GPD Win Max 2 and heard them releasing a smaller version being the GPD Win Mini. The mini would fit perfectly in being slightly bigger than a 3DS XL. Throw it into a small sling and don't feel as though you have to commit into carrying a larger backpack not having the width of a steam deck. Especially when a 10-20 minute clothes/grocery shopping/cafe turns into 1-2 hours. I love that GPD made it where they added keyboard controls on the controller inputs when selected mouse function. It be amazing for mmorpgs for casual grinding, dailies n checking the auction house. [Especially for games where the user interface changes when you switch over to controller removing some of the icons on screen or non-controller games].
I picked up a 64gb plus G1 kit. My thinking is that this becomes the mighty morphing machine. Want small and light, just take the laptop. Want to be more productive? Bring a travel keyboard/mouse/portable display. Want more power? Bring the G1 charger/eGPU along. This entire bag of stuff is not any heavier or bulkier than a 15” laptop, but you get all kinds of versatile from it.
I own a gpd win max 2022 and I love it. It's been less than a year and the 2023 has a better Apu, but that's life. My gpd is my only PC and handheld. I'm planning to get the g1. I upgraded it to 8tb of storage none other handheld can do that. And I will get the 2025 or 2026 when I upgrade for shure
You peaked my interest when I saw the Oculink docking station. The GPD Win Max 2 is a very niche product, you can get a G14 with an 80 watt RTX 3060 for $800 at the moment. Great video as usual
I've bought two GPD devices in my life and both of the batteries swelled a few months into use. Never again, be better GPD. "Well that doesn't happen to everyone," doesn't matter. Happens to enough to not trust them.
Why is everyone sleeping on the A1-Pro...it has basically the same specs...and it's EXCELLENT! I think you may have done a pre-production video...but maybe it's time to revisit.
Both the A1pro and the Win Max 2 are excellent devices. I honestly live them both. I think it dawns down to preference. I really think they are the best handhelds to buy
By the way. I feel like it’s worth mention that it is in fact budget friendly if you need to buy both a laptop and a handheld. It’s cheaper than buying both of them.
I know you posted this a while ago, but I have recently been looking to get rid of my 3060 laptop, and desktop and combine the two. I couldn't find anything that appealed to me, so started getting a small mini pc and a large powerbank to design something myself. I knew about the GPD devices, but use mine for work, so the controls put me off - I didn't realise they came with metal covers! That really turns this into a more hidden gaming device. If the front shoulder buttons werent there then it would be perfect, but having those covers on the top will do nicely :) Thanks for showing that, and I can't believe how powerful it is for the size, beats my current 10600k in my desktop and 5800H in my laptop, so its a win win. Thanks!
I had an old Intel Atom powered 10.1" netbook back in the day. I loved that thing for sitting on the couch web surfing. As such, I would love to get one of these, but I already have a gaming laptop so I just can't justify it.
This is the first time in a long while where I am actually really envious - this kind of thing would be perfect for me, even though I already have a good handheld and a decent budget gaming laptop. I mainly want it because it is an actual 10 inch laptop and I really want the 8-10 inch netbooks to come back with modern technology. Just about barely big enough to type on, just about enough power for a bit of gaming and most productivity tasks - it's just a laptop that can accompany you everywhere without taking much room in the backpack or on the table. I can see myself using this thing for coding, writing and retro pc games in the sun or just anywhere on the go. Buuut ... it's just far to expensive for my budget. But I still hope that with the advancement of technology there will be at some point cheaper alternatives to this thing - it's not so much about the power for me but the form factor.
Hi Russ! I think the covers make sense for college students who need to take their laptop to class but don't want to get told they can't have it because it is a gaming device.
An amazing review, Russ, thank you ❤ I think in this case preferences and lifestyle are extremely important, more than usual, in defining if this device can be a good choice. I am not a fan of the all-in-one solution, and that's the reason why I barely play on my laptop (which I use for working as a researcher) and prefer retrogaming on my RG353PS 😊 Very interesting the Handheld Companion app, I didn't know it!
I LOVE the massive 10" panel, I just hope GPD, Aya or OneNet will offer a handheld form factor variant. OneNet could have basically made a Surface Go sized OneXPlayer as it would have been a handheld gaming PC/tablet hybrid.
I would love to see these PCs tested for video editing. I know they are not meant to be that and that this isn't that type of channel. Anyway, good video.
I bought a 6800u one back in December for 1200 that had 1TB of storage and 16 GB of RAM. REALLLLYYYYY wish I would have waited for the 64GB RAM/2TB model for the same price lol. But that's just FOMO I guess lol. Mine's still wicked fast for everything I do, and I can actually keep it at 7 watts for most tasks so battery life is pretty fantastic.
You sly fox, having Chicken grace our screens without so much as a warning. Still though this one of the most unique looking handhelds I’ve seen and I love the fact that it comes with a auto tdp feature that lets you play games at 60fps while it lowers the tdp when it needs to, if only the steam deck and other handhelds had something that convenient. Either I already have that, a miyoo mini plus, and of course my hp omen desktop. I prefer using controllers even when it comes to gaming laptops though now I’m curious how my old acer nitro 5 laptop stacks up to this since I know it can handle pc games pretty well at medium settings and emulate systems WiiU or below(haven’t tested ps3 or xbox yet), still a pretty nice laptop for someone that wants something that’s all in one
This would be a great device if I still traveled for work. On a work trip I need to travel with a work-issued laptop and I generally want to bring a personal laptop for off hours too. This would be easy to carry without weighing me down too much.
My first thoughts when looking at this is maybe accidentally hitting keyboard inputs when using the analogue stocks and face buttons as it's fairly cramped. It would be useful if the keyboard can be disabled when using emulators, but I guess that defeats the advantages of having one.
I have the 6800U Win Max 2, never have an issue with that. The back pedals do get accidentally hit like the others said, but I never map it to anything, it's not needed.
Hey Russ, loved the video. The only thing it was missing imo was the battery life part where you show examples of battery life at different TDP. I really like that part. Is it similar to other devices? That's why you didn't include it? Thanks =)
Honestly, aside from the ROG Ally, this is the only windows handheld you should consider. Devices from Aya, OneXplayer and the likes really arent worth the extra money and will be outdated by the time you actually get it. Just buy the Ally or the Steam Deck.
@@AugustineKusiDuah-bk4fr this version is 1200$ or 1300$, but the 7640u version is 800$ with only a 10% of less performance, I would go for it instead of a rog ally if you mean to also use it for something else other than mainly gaming
@@AugustineKusiDuah-bk4fr It’s not only the money. It’s the fact that Aya has a terrible business model. They over promise and under deliver, you basically have zero RMA, and like I said earlier, once they actually start shipping them, they will have announced newer models before your delivery arrives. If you want to spend the money on it, go ahead. They’re nice devices, so as long as you don’t receive a lemon, it’ll be fine. But it is far from the smart choice if you just want a good PC handheld. The ROG Ally does everything you want it to, and the Steam Deck is still fantastic.
It is a boutique item for sure, but I already have a laptop with a 4600hs and a 1650 mobile GPU. I still bought the GPD Win Max 2 because of the Apu. A discreet GPU will guzzle battery capacity more than an APU. The GPD seems to be better quality than the HP laptop I currently have, and it has better expandability. The only trade off is I am locked down on my ram, but from my understanding the faster ram needs shorter runs to the CPU for stability. The GPD CPU scores higher than my desktop I9 9900k on passmark, and I still reserve the right to add an external GPU at any time! This unit ticks my boxes. Gosh, all the storage expandability is nice too! I might replace the 2tb nvme with a 4tb as soon as I receive it! Then I can throw that 2tb in an external enclosure. Plus micro SD and extra 2230 nvme
been accustomed to others copying the deck in many ways, now i see it the other way for at least 1 thing, that Auto TDP which adjusts to FPS sounds like something the deck needs to acquire.
ayy i saw that deckmte on your Ally 🤓. Such a great accessory. Im waiting for the Clip on grip that Siri will release later this month. love my Deckmate.
The AMD Framework 13 comes with these chips too if you're looking for other laptops with the 7x40U series in it. I was also wondering what that keyboard you use was, good looking out for mentioning it.
I'm currently looking for a touchscreen convertible laptop. Using Xbox controller for gaming and able to prop up the screen, or use it fully flipped like a tablet to consume media. I believe this will be a better setup though I'm stumped with the hardware choices available to give me a balance of battery life and GPU performance. Great watch! (and hooray for Chicken break! >
I purchased a GPD Micro PC a few years ago and my only problem with them is that they don't support their products even a few months after release. Things like driver updates and firmware fixes are basically non-existent.
At that price point you can get a very decent gaming pc with like a 4070 and a 13th gen intel I9 cpu though. I get the appeal, but with added VAT this one is so much more expensive then most of these devices.
@@InfyraThe cost being worse than a gaming laptop is true. But I think where the value lies is in its versatility. The problem of gaming laptops is the heat generated by both a powerful CPU and a top GPU is too much and the fans sound like a jet engine, and battery life is weak. With this, is super portable, but with the egpu separate, the heat and sound is not a problem. You could actually get more load on the CPU when using a separate egpu.
Great video as always. Professional Bodybuilders seem to have changed physique requirements since I last looked 🤣 All seriousness aside(if there was any), Phawx probably doesn't have any issues holding it. 🤣
There's one flaw in the keyboard that doesn't seem to get mentioned anywhere. There's numpad numbers printed on the keyboard, but the numlock key isn't and that's on Y. Windows as well will only show an indicator on screen for caps lock, not for numlock or scroll lock.
If it had a slot for 5G connectivity (instead of 4G) and the left D-pad and left stick were swapped, I would SERIOUSLY consider getting this. If it had those two things AND an OLED screen, I would definitely get it.
for the cons part, this cost nearly the same as my current laptop anyways, slightly less cheaper too, and while I have a PC, I always prefer to have both a desktop for home use and a laptop for mobility purposes. If this can replace my laptop, hopefully years later when my laptop dies I can replace it with something like this
Hey man, just as advice, you should buy some kickstands to solve the couch and desk issue. I have a pair of spiggen metal kickstand that you can stick on the back which are helping a lot when you want to handle the device without having to lift it up.
i love this handheld but im more interested in the win mini plus occulink gpu combo. smaller handheld, good performance, battery is ok, and yet i can take this home and it would be my go to computer. outside i wouldn't sacrifice much because i have a trackpad and keyboard, idk why people aren't supporting these as much as asus and lenovo
So in short, is it better to get this WM2 7840u or the Rog Ally? Considering the power, cooling and (using it for things other than gaming like watching Netflix...)
I had an OG Win Max 2, which I wound up breaking after about 6 months of use. My own fault. Rather than replace it with the refresh or the upcoming Win Mini, I opted to use the money to build a PC, since the used market for GPUs is back to normal (for how long who knows). Since I am really more of a couch gamer than anything, I can use Steam Link, or else maybe something like Taki Udon's tethered handheld for game sessions. Past the novelty of having a full computer in your hands, I've learned that they don't really fit my use case. I'm tired of having to spend big $$$ to get barely GTX 1650 performance, if I don't really need all of the extreme portability they offer.
GPD shipped me a faulty device (the original Win Max) with a bad keyboard right out of the box. When I reached out immediately, they made ME pay to ship it to China ($120), sent it back to me in its original state with zero communication, then claimed that they changed their mind and refused to fix it. As tantalizing as their products are, I can’t do business with someone like that. Besides, all 3 of the GPD devices I’ve ordered over the past several years have had major QC issues. I’ll stick to Valve or literally anyone else.
Got a bad keyboard too, had to buy replacement from them via paypal which took months to arrive. Still have to install, kind of a pain. Also, will need to reapply thermal paste since the Intels get ..toasty.
GPD social media person/people are cocky and terrible any anything can be. I questioned why they were attacking one-netbooks choice for the one xplayer the origonal for its 1600p display and making questionable jabs at its competitors choice by making bad claims with terrible "screenshots" claiming artifacts would occur on the display. I've been lucky with GPD but only had the win 1 and win max but heard a lot of terrible problems even viruses on a handful of units.
Dude thats all chinese companys u think retronpocket or anbernic are any better lol dont get me atarted on powkiddy customer service when getting a illegal retro rom hacking device its to be expected u should of just reported it never deliverd and got ur money back trying to deal with a chinese company is ur fault thats just loco
@@CHICKENmcNUGGIESMydudeActually yes, speaking from experience Retroid Pocket and AYN are a lot better with their customer service.
@@CHICKENmcNUGGIESMydudeervice from both anbernic and retroid have been solid for me, and those are also much cheaper devices. If I were buying something materially more expensive from someone like GPD, they should be giving at least as reasonable of support as the other Chinese companies, if not even more since they are asking for multiple times more money from the consumer. No need to lump all these companies together when some are better than others.
Great video! Thanks for covering HC during the video. I watched the part about CEMU and I think Casper and I should discuss how we can make AutoTDP smarter. If ten more Watts only brings two more fps, it's not worth doing.
the pure evolution of devices, holy...
Next Gens portable chip is supposed to pack 4 more physical cores to both CPU and Graphics. The latter being revised RDNA 3.5. Potentially 3GHz boost.
@@justinpatterson5291 nope. They're a refresh lmao.
I always took a laptop and my 3ds on deployments. For Soldiers, Sailors and other servicemembers on deployment with limited space, this may be a great device to stay connected with family, game, and stream movies all in one.
I have a 6800u Win Max 2, and holy shit is it the perfect hybrid device. I absolutely love it. The improvements over my Win Max 1 was insane.
But it's no longer a handled. Too uncomfortable to play in your hands. The orginal max was a more comfortable experience even if it was a lower quality product.
@@Thesavagesouls it is a handheld lmao, and far superior to the Win Max. If GPD listened to you, we'd have an inferior device. No thanks, I've utilized my Win Max 2 for years now and got very good use out of it.
@Thesavagesouls being uncomfortable would be a opinion. Some people may not find it uncomfortable.
I love the cat breaks! Please put more of them in your new videos!! Very wholesome! Love your videos as always
I have the 6800U version from last year, and I'm really happy with it. I think I commented before that it's my "do everything" device. I also have a desktop PC, but I rarely use it these days - I use my GPD for games, programming, shopping, etc.
I don't travel that often, but it is convenient when I do.
I do agree about the weight / ergonomics being less than ideal, but I like the compactness and don't believe they could significantly reduce the weight without negatively impacting performance or battery life, so I can live with it. As you said, having it resting on a table when sitting or on my chest when laying down helps.
I had the 6800u max 2 and absolutely loved it. The screen needed to get less bright for bed time use in my opinion. Unfortunately I had to sell it because of an electrical problem in our house. I really hope to get another soon! Unless the "win mini" ends up be awesome. I enjoy your videos thanks!
Turn down the brightness?
@@VegitoBlackityBlackhe means that the minimum brightness range you could set your screen to was too bright even at the minimum too bright for you to use it in a completely dark room, referring to while sleeping
@@kevj.3575 ok
Looks like the Win Mini is indeed very awesome. If you can deal with the keyboard . . .
@@VegitoBlackityBlack🤪
This is literally the ONLY option if you want a laptop under 13 inches rhat has anything more powerful than a pentium. For some reason every single 11 and 12 inch laptop on the market has either a celeron or pentium. I would love a cheap 11 inch laptop with a ryzen 3 but they just do not exist.
Ikr I don’t really get it. People are still like obsessed with big screens or something, but it’s never portable. Honestly small laptops like this would be amazing for people who fly. You already have limited space as is for your luggage and so who really wants a big laptop taking up a bunch of room? We got smaller windows handhelds at least now but what about laptops?
@Justin-xi6ue right? I didn't mind carrying s 14 inch laptop until I got my steam deck, asking me to travel with a beefy steam deck AND a 14 inch laptop is just too much. I literally just want an 11 inch laptop powerful enough to emulate ps2 and gamecube and play some indie games
@@johnsducks9816 For me it’s about the same but I’m also a music producer. I don’t have any Windows handhelds to try it on but this type of laptop seems perfect for that kind of thing. It’s as you said as well in that laptops this size tend to not be that powerful. Thing is though things like music production, video editing, or gaming need strong specs. Totally sucks we don’t have more options. Was thinking I could have something like the GPD and just bring along a controller with me. The controls don’t even need to be built in like that honestly. Kinda shocking in a way that there’s this big gap in the market, in which GPD seems to be the only one fulfilling. If I had the money I might consider getting this, but honestly idk how I feel about spending that much towards a Chinese company like GPD. Personally I’d rather buy from a bigger name brand like HP or Asus.
@@Justin-xi6uethe major problem point is GPD having poor warranty services and charging shipping for defects.
Lack of 3rd party DIY repair parts that Framework and Steam Deck have major advantage over despite being dedicated devices.
@@Aereto Yeah that’s precisely why I’m cautious about them.. Given GPD is much more established, everything that’s also gone on with AYN gives me a bit of a bad taste about ordering Chinese tech. I’ve got an Odin and it’s been great, but the lack of post launch software support has been pretty bad.
The promises and bugs that still need fixing are probably never going to happen, and if it does it’ll be by the time Odin 2 comes out. I mean if I’m already experiencing that on the software side of things on an Android, what could I expect on a laptop? The idea of having to send it all the way back to China if there’s an issue sounds terrible.
I have the 2022 version and am eager to get my hands on this new one with the Oculink port. I actually find that this is practically a 3 in one, it replaces a laptop, a handheld and a tablet! The handheld ergonomics can be resolved easily by getting a grip on Etsy, and If OcuLink catches on and performs as I hope, this device may end up replacing my Desktop as well. I would just upgrade to the newest version every 3ish years.
I have to pretend I haven’t seen this video, or I’ll regret buying the first version of the GPD Win Max 2.
I have the 6800U one too and this didn't make me bummed I didn't wait and buy this. I've used mine an ton and for emulation it does everything I want. More than half the time I use it for a notebook anyway, and I love the form factor. I'll upgrade on the next version, I have a rule I have to have a generation between my purchases so this one is the odd one I'll upgrade on the next.
@@exodous02 That’s the right attitude to have, and I’ll be doing the same. But it does feel like the time between the two models was really short.
Honestly I thought so too, but this is more like a refresh. The performance on the 6800U is already strong enough. If anything, it makes me excited for the Win Max 3 down the line. I hope they continue to make improvements because the difference between the Max 1 and the Win Max 2 was worth it. I didn't even feel like I missed out when they did the Win Max 1 refresh after getting my Max 2, it was well worth the wait.
i ordered mine recently, im a train operator and i wanted an all in one device that fits perfectly in a backpack, for me this is perfect, even if its heavier it takes much less space in my backpack than the deck is taking because it does not need a case to cover the screen or buttons, also my desktop is getting old except for the gpu, so i plan on using it as an external gpu for my win 2
Ordered mine a bit ago. I really do enjoy my Steam Deck but wanted something like this with the Keyboard and that ran Windows out of the box. Can't wait to get mine.
I've had the 6800u Win Max for a while now, and it's the only Windows "handheld" I've kept. For my preference, this was the only one I was happy navigating and dealing with Windows. With my other Windows handhelds, I just had too much trouble getting things to display and work properly. I like how I can pretty much do everything I want to do with this thing, from gaming to work, and it's great. I don't like the fan noise, especially at low speed, it has an annoying hum that I can feel in the chassis.. and it also gets quite loud when doing some heavy gaming. Gorgeous screen, easy to setup and use, I'm a happy camper 👍 thanks for the great reviews ✌️
Hi Russ! I have the 6800u Win Max 2. I really like it as an all-around travel computer, and at home it is great for light gaming/ productivity/ web on the couch. It replaced a 7-ish year old Dell XPS that was beautiful but had started having trouble keeping up. The SD card reader, lots of ports, and a decent screen were really important to me for backing up/ light editing my photos on trips. And my kiddo and I had a great time playing games on it when there was down time. I'll probably replace mine in a couple of years and give the 6800u to my kiddo as his first PC 😀.
Do you think it's worth upgrading to the 7840u version? To be honest i dont see much of a reason to upgrade asap
@@tomcruz3774 Hello there! Nope. The new one is better, but just a little. The 6800u will be good enough for several years. I may give my Win Max2 -6800u to my kid in a year or two if I really want a new one. But I think it will be at least four years before there are any games I want to play portably that it can't play.
I had the first 6800U version and didn't like typing on it until I got a wrist rest, once my hands were elevated to about the same height I don't notice the keyboard is too small. I personally like having a full PC in this form factor. I could get a tablet, Android or Apple, and a keyboard for a simular size but I don't consider Android or iOS 'full' or 'real' computer OSs. I just feel a lot more comfortable with either Linux or Windows, with mobile OSs I just feel really constrained.
Gaming, eh, unless I'm laying down I don't like it. I take a Retrobit big6 with me for when I'm not laying down, my favorite controller right now. It isn't easy to just pull out and play on the go. It is more of get to my destination and play. For emulation though I find it perfect, the 6800U plays everything I want.
Overall I'd rather have this than a full size notebook but for gaming it is doable but not 100% perfect.
Nice review bro just ordered one unfortunately i am not so lucky to get a review sample but huge thanks for your video bro.
That new Oculink, APU upgrade, and upcoming pocket eGPU seals the deal for me. Just ticks all my boxes :)
Came for the review, stayed for the Dismemberment Plan shirt.
I brought the 64 gig one. I like that I can use it for gaming but I'm primarily using it for productivity. The applications I'm using it for require as much RAM as possible and I frequently run into bottlenecks on everything but my desktop that has 128 gigs of ram. I'd love to be able to do that work on the go. Even if I wanted a bigger laptop, which I don't, I like its tiny size getting a laptop that comes with that much high-speed ram or even low-speed ram would cost me much more.. I also like that it has stylus compatibility. I will definitely test the heck out of its gaming capabilities because I do like to game and I like its portability and high PPI display. I have reasonably strong arms and I've often wished that I could buy controllers that would allow me to hold a laptop or a tablet PC like a portable game console.
I love my GPD Win Max 2 from 2022. I sure hope GPD releases the new motherboard separately so I can upgrade it when I'm ready to do so.
Not possible because of the oculink connector unfortunately, the 7840u replaces the USB A port on the back
@@crashdude7589 Thanks, Ill stop holding my breath now.
That form factor is just so sexy. As a writer, I’m always on the hunt for a mythically small yet reliably usable productivity device, and that 10” form factor is really, really appealing. To this point, the best thing I can find that bridges all the gaps decently enough is an old 2016 12” MacBook. That device really isn’t comparable to something like this, and while your workflow is different than mine, I’m very interested in seeing how the vacation plays out with this as a more primary, all-in-one device while away from your other devices.
I once had a 10" Chromebook I bought specifically while writing my third cookbook, and the experience was a nightmare -- bad typing experience, sluggish performance, the works. Recently I've been using an iPad with the Magic Keyboard when writing, it's a fair experience (I enjoy its simplicity in design). I'm actually hoping to knock out some writing on the Win Max 2 while on this trip (somehow some of my best writing is done on a plane), so I'll let you know how that goes :)
I still use my 2016 12” MacBook and have been holding out for a suitable replacement😢 doesn’t sound like Apple wants to make small laptops anymore since they’ve moved to making huge tablets. I do love small form factor devices though as I travel a lot
@@RetroGameCorps Could you do a short video of your Experience after the Trip?
Just casually throwing in that you're a professional body builder lol.
Another great, in depth video Russ
I'm glad I don't pull the trigger on the GPD Win Max 2 and heard them releasing a smaller version being the GPD Win Mini. The mini would fit perfectly in being slightly bigger than a 3DS XL. Throw it into a small sling and don't feel as though you have to commit into carrying a larger backpack not having the width of a steam deck. Especially when a 10-20 minute clothes/grocery shopping/cafe turns into 1-2 hours.
I love that GPD made it where they added keyboard controls on the controller inputs when selected mouse function. It be amazing for mmorpgs for casual grinding, dailies n checking the auction house. [Especially for games where the user interface changes when you switch over to controller removing some of the icons on screen or non-controller games].
I picked up a 64gb plus G1 kit. My thinking is that this becomes the mighty morphing machine.
Want small and light, just take the laptop.
Want to be more productive? Bring a travel keyboard/mouse/portable display.
Want more power? Bring the G1 charger/eGPU along.
This entire bag of stuff is not any heavier or bulkier than a 15” laptop, but you get all kinds of versatile from it.
I'm a sysadmin and I just upgraded to this from the Pocket 3, this is perfect and I have thigh holster for it when I get it.
This is a device I've been dreaming about for like 13 years. Out of my price range, though.
Nice dismemberment plan shirt, btw.
This, slightly less tdp, with a detachable keyboard module, and detachable joycon like controller modules, will be the best thing ever
I own a gpd win max 2022 and I love it. It's been less than a year and the 2023 has a better Apu, but that's life. My gpd is my only PC and handheld. I'm planning to get the g1. I upgraded it to 8tb of storage none other handheld can do that. And I will get the 2025 or 2026 when I upgrade for shure
You peaked my interest when I saw the Oculink docking station. The GPD Win Max 2 is a very niche product, you can get a G14 with an 80 watt RTX 3060 for $800 at the moment. Great video as usual
> G14 with an 80 watt RTX 3060 for $800
Sigh, sadly where I live the only G14 models available are newer ones and they start at 2000...
I wish but even with that, once you disconnect from power the most you can get out of these is about 55w
And lets not get into heat and battery life. Its not that great away from the wall.
Best 7840u handheld on the market in terms of performance. Nice fast ram gives a 8-10% bump over 6400mt DDR5. VRR would be nice though.
not to talk about the massive battery
I've bought two GPD devices in my life and both of the batteries swelled a few months into use. Never again, be better GPD. "Well that doesn't happen to everyone," doesn't matter. Happens to enough to not trust them.
Why is everyone sleeping on the A1-Pro...it has basically the same specs...and it's EXCELLENT! I think you may have done a pre-production video...but maybe it's time to revisit.
Yh
Both the A1pro and the Win Max 2 are excellent devices. I honestly live them both. I think it dawns down to preference. I really think they are the best handhelds to buy
By the way. I feel like it’s worth mention that it is in fact budget friendly if you need to buy both a laptop and a handheld. It’s cheaper than buying both of them.
its literally a cheaper or average MacBook that you can actually game on and its super small and pocketable(fits in any backpack)
@@kevj.3575pocketable and fits in a backpack are quite different 😅
Great content as always bruh.
You had me at professional body builder
lol same here
“If you wanna conceal the fact that you’re a dirty gamer” Russ you are too funny
They really thought of everything lol
I know you posted this a while ago, but I have recently been looking to get rid of my 3060 laptop, and desktop and combine the two. I couldn't find anything that appealed to me, so started getting a small mini pc and a large powerbank to design something myself. I knew about the GPD devices, but use mine for work, so the controls put me off - I didn't realise they came with metal covers! That really turns this into a more hidden gaming device. If the front shoulder buttons werent there then it would be perfect, but having those covers on the top will do nicely :) Thanks for showing that, and I can't believe how powerful it is for the size, beats my current 10600k in my desktop and 5800H in my laptop, so its a win win. Thanks!
I had an old Intel Atom powered 10.1" netbook back in the day. I loved that thing for sitting on the couch web surfing. As such, I would love to get one of these, but I already have a gaming laptop so I just can't justify it.
This is the first time in a long while where I am actually really envious - this kind of thing would be perfect for me, even though I already have a good handheld and a decent budget gaming laptop. I mainly want it because it is an actual 10 inch laptop and I really want the 8-10 inch netbooks to come back with modern technology. Just about barely big enough to type on, just about enough power for a bit of gaming and most productivity tasks - it's just a laptop that can accompany you everywhere without taking much room in the backpack or on the table. I can see myself using this thing for coding, writing and retro pc games in the sun or just anywhere on the go. Buuut ... it's just far to expensive for my budget. But I still hope that with the advancement of technology there will be at some point cheaper alternatives to this thing - it's not so much about the power for me but the form factor.
Hi Russ! I think the covers make sense for college students who need to take their laptop to class but don't want to get told they can't have it because it is a gaming device.
I never owned one of these machine.
Would be awesome to pickup this one because of the awesome chipset 😄
All my ergonomics questions answered thanks bruv
An amazing review, Russ, thank you ❤ I think in this case preferences and lifestyle are extremely important, more than usual, in defining if this device can be a good choice. I am not a fan of the all-in-one solution, and that's the reason why I barely play on my laptop (which I use for working as a researcher) and prefer retrogaming on my RG353PS 😊 Very interesting the Handheld Companion app, I didn't know it!
I LOVE the massive 10" panel, I just hope GPD, Aya or OneNet will offer a handheld form factor variant.
OneNet could have basically made a Surface Go sized OneXPlayer as it would have been a handheld gaming PC/tablet hybrid.
GPD Mini?
I'm solidly in all of the "Avoid" categories, but I still really want one of these. ;-)
"If you're going undercover and don't want anyone to know you're a gamer" 😂
I would love to see these PCs tested for video editing. I know they are not meant to be that and that this isn't that type of channel.
Anyway, good video.
A short video on how that trip went would be great!
I bought a 6800u one back in December for 1200 that had 1TB of storage and 16 GB of RAM. REALLLLYYYYY wish I would have waited for the 64GB RAM/2TB model for the same price lol. But that's just FOMO I guess lol. Mine's still wicked fast for everything I do, and I can actually keep it at 7 watts for most tasks so battery life is pretty fantastic.
Batocera really showcases how well balanced a Linux OS can be.
Thought I was here to learn about new handheld but now I realize I'm here for the cat breaks!!!!
Im excited for future iterations that are lighter, especially with solid state batteries and those solid state cooling technology
You sly fox, having Chicken grace our screens without so much as a warning. Still though this one of the most unique looking handhelds I’ve seen and I love the fact that it comes with a auto tdp feature that lets you play games at 60fps while it lowers the tdp when it needs to, if only the steam deck and other handhelds had something that convenient. Either I already have that, a miyoo mini plus, and of course my hp omen desktop. I prefer using controllers even when it comes to gaming laptops though now I’m curious how my old acer nitro 5 laptop stacks up to this since I know it can handle pc games pretty well at medium settings and emulate systems WiiU or below(haven’t tested ps3 or xbox yet), still a pretty nice laptop for someone that wants something that’s all in one
If you wanted to operate an experimental submersible, the built in controls would alleviate the need to buy a knock off wireless gamepad.
The gaming mullet. Business in the front, fun in the back.
Yay new video is out 😎
Is that a Dismemberment Plan shirt?!
Yep, good catch :)
This would be a great device if I still traveled for work. On a work trip I need to travel with a work-issued laptop and I generally want to bring a personal laptop for off hours too. This would be easy to carry without weighing me down too much.
I realy hope GPD get better with customer Service i realy feel they can be a very big contender in the handheld market.
the first time i saw the GPD it was TINY
nowadays this thing is HUGE
Thanks, I enjoyed the Cat-break the most !
My first thoughts when looking at this is maybe accidentally hitting keyboard inputs when using the analogue stocks and face buttons as it's fairly cramped. It would be useful if the keyboard can be disabled when using emulators, but I guess that defeats the advantages of having one.
Doesn't happen as much as you think. But hitting those back buttons on accident happens a lot.
@@dcsteele those can be disabled .
I have the 6800U Win Max 2, never have an issue with that. The back pedals do get accidentally hit like the others said, but I never map it to anything, it's not needed.
Liked just for the cat break LOL
Hey Russ, loved the video. The only thing it was missing imo was the battery life part where you show examples of battery life at different TDP. I really like that part. Is it similar to other devices? That's why you didn't include it? Thanks =)
appreciate the cat break
Great video. My favorite part was "Cat Break!"
Honestly, aside from the ROG Ally, this is the only windows handheld you should consider. Devices from Aya, OneXplayer and the likes really arent worth the extra money and will be outdated by the time you actually get it. Just buy the Ally or the Steam Deck.
Aren’t really worth the extra money for you but not for others
@@AugustineKusiDuah-bk4fr this version is 1200$ or 1300$, but the 7640u version is 800$ with only a 10% of less performance, I would go for it instead of a rog ally if you mean to also use it for something else other than mainly gaming
@@kevj.3575 oh yeah I agree with you
@@AugustineKusiDuah-bk4fr It’s not only the money. It’s the fact that Aya has a terrible business model. They over promise and under deliver, you basically have zero RMA, and like I said earlier, once they actually start shipping them, they will have announced newer models before your delivery arrives.
If you want to spend the money on it, go ahead. They’re nice devices, so as long as you don’t receive a lemon, it’ll be fine. But it is far from the smart choice if you just want a good PC handheld. The ROG Ally does everything you want it to, and the Steam Deck is still fantastic.
So cool bro, didn’t know you’re a professional bodybuilder 😮👏
And here I thought it was obvious :D
Wow. The cat break has gotten a lot more Stephen Spielberg since those early videos.
This is beautiful and I want one but I went with the RoG Ally
GPD going strong ngl. Can't wait for their 7840 GPD Win 4, might purchase it
This would be awesome for people that play new games but also play old DOS games like me.
It is a boutique item for sure, but I already have a laptop with a 4600hs and a 1650 mobile GPU. I still bought the GPD Win Max 2 because of the Apu. A discreet GPU will guzzle battery capacity more than an APU. The GPD seems to be better quality than the HP laptop I currently have, and it has better expandability. The only trade off is I am locked down on my ram, but from my understanding the faster ram needs shorter runs to the CPU for stability. The GPD CPU scores higher than my desktop I9 9900k on passmark, and I still reserve the right to add an external GPU at any time! This unit ticks my boxes. Gosh, all the storage expandability is nice too! I might replace the 2tb nvme with a 4tb as soon as I receive it! Then I can throw that 2tb in an external enclosure. Plus micro SD and extra 2230 nvme
Great video and awesome cat break 😍
Anyone else catch the joke that he's a professional body builder?
18:26 Now there's a good kitty!
been accustomed to others copying the deck in many ways, now i see it the other way for at least 1 thing, that Auto TDP which adjusts to FPS sounds like something the deck needs to acquire.
ayy i saw that deckmte on your Ally 🤓. Such a great accessory. Im waiting for the Clip on grip that Siri will release later this month. love my Deckmate.
Thumbs up for the cat break!
Finally a worthy successor to my 2011 Eee PC
The AMD Framework 13 comes with these chips too if you're looking for other laptops with the 7x40U series in it.
I was also wondering what that keyboard you use was, good looking out for mentioning it.
Amazing review!! thank you
I'm currently looking for a touchscreen convertible laptop. Using Xbox controller for gaming and able to prop up the screen, or use it fully flipped like a tablet to consume media. I believe this will be a better setup though I'm stumped with the hardware choices available to give me a balance of battery life and GPU performance. Great watch! (and hooray for Chicken break! >
I purchased a GPD Micro PC a few years ago and my only problem with them is that they don't support their products even a few months after release. Things like driver updates and firmware fixes are basically non-existent.
Yeah wifi stopped working on my GPD pocket 1 a year or 2 ago and I can't get it to work again. Not sure I'd buy from them again.
If I had extra budget I would 100% get this revision and the G1 GPU.
At that price point you can get a very decent gaming pc with like a 4070 and a 13th gen intel I9 cpu though. I get the appeal, but with added VAT this one is so much more expensive then most of these devices.
@@InfyraThe cost being worse than a gaming laptop is true. But I think where the value lies is in its versatility. The problem of gaming laptops is the heat generated by both a powerful CPU and a top GPU is too much and the fans sound like a jet engine, and battery life is weak.
With this, is super portable, but with the egpu separate, the heat and sound is not a problem. You could actually get more load on the CPU when using a separate egpu.
@@Infyra
No thanks. Too big, Too heavy, bad battery, not as portable. Everyone's use case is differen't.
Great review , Thanks for the attention to software detail. Russ have they started shipping this model yet ?
love the dismemberment plan
Great video as always.
Professional Bodybuilders seem to have changed physique requirements since I last looked 🤣
All seriousness aside(if there was any), Phawx probably doesn't have any issues holding it. 🤣
There's one flaw in the keyboard that doesn't seem to get mentioned anywhere.
There's numpad numbers printed on the keyboard, but the numlock key isn't and that's on Y.
Windows as well will only show an indicator on screen for caps lock, not for numlock or scroll lock.
great review.......i sooooooo like gpd's stuff
Im probably going to try one of the community 3d printed solutions for grip
Good Video. The RetroArch power numbers are really weird because my 4500u laptop draws
This is the evolution of the Netbook.
If it had a slot for 5G connectivity (instead of 4G) and the left D-pad and left stick were swapped, I would SERIOUSLY consider getting this. If it had those two things AND an OLED screen, I would definitely get it.
for the cons part, this cost nearly the same as my current laptop anyways, slightly less cheaper too, and while I have a PC, I always prefer to have both a desktop for home use and a laptop for mobility purposes. If this can replace my laptop, hopefully years later when my laptop dies I can replace it with something like this
Hey man, just as advice, you should buy some kickstands to solve the couch and desk issue.
I have a pair of spiggen metal kickstand that you can stick on the back which are helping a lot when you want to handle the device without having to lift it up.
i love this handheld but im more interested in the win mini plus occulink gpu combo. smaller handheld, good performance, battery is ok, and yet i can take this home and it would be my go to computer. outside i wouldn't sacrifice much because i have a trackpad and keyboard, idk why people aren't supporting these as much as asus and lenovo
So in short, is it better to get this WM2 7840u or the Rog Ally?
Considering the power, cooling and (using it for things other than gaming like watching Netflix...)
I had an OG Win Max 2, which I wound up breaking after about 6 months of use. My own fault.
Rather than replace it with the refresh or the upcoming Win Mini, I opted to use the money to build a PC, since the used market for GPUs is back to normal (for how long who knows).
Since I am really more of a couch gamer than anything, I can use Steam Link, or else maybe something like Taki Udon's tethered handheld for game sessions.
Past the novelty of having a full computer in your hands, I've learned that they don't really fit my use case. I'm tired of having to spend big $$$ to get barely GTX 1650 performance, if I don't really need all of the extreme portability they offer.