The GPD WIN Max 2 is one of the most recognizable handheld Windows devices, serving as both a portable laptop and a handheld gaming console, making it a versatile “jack of all trades”. Now, this product has a smaller sibling, the WIN Mini, which features a more compact 7-inch screen design, making it smaller and lighter while providing a consistent office and gaming experience that reduces strain on players’ wrists.
Essentially, the GPD WIN Mini is a scaled-down version of the WIN Max 2, redesigned for the characteristics of its smaller form factor, with a new layout for the gaming buttons and joysticks.
This product measures only 168mm ×109mm and weighs just 520g, making it half the size and weight of its older brother, the WIN Max 2, allowing for easier long-term gameplay. Additionally, it comes with a custom ergonomic grip that provides a feel closer to that of a handheld console when combined with the main unit.
The GPD WIN Mini continues the classic design of its predecessor with a downward-shifted keyboard, adding joystick and directional keys needed for gaming between the keyboard and screen. The layout of the left joystick buttons remains unchanged, while the right joystick and buttons have swapped places, and some shortcut keys have been moved below the gaming buttons for easier access.
This product is also equipped with Hall effect joysticks, linear shoulder buttons, dual linear motors, dual speakers, 3-axis gravity sensing, and a 3-axis gyroscope design, and adds programmable macro buttons L4 and R4, allowing it to play the role of a handheld gaming console at any time.
However, the WIN Max 2 features four built-in speakers, a 6-axis gyroscope, larger buttons, and fingerprint recognition, indicating that the mini version has made some compromises, which is the price of slimming down.
The GPD WIN Mini’s screen resolution has also been reduced to 1080P, maintaining the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, and the official specifications do not mention support for a 4096-level pressure sensitivity stylus.
The hardware configuration of this product is the same as its older brother, both powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen 5 7640U or Ryzen 7 7840U, utilizing a Zen4+RDNA3 microarchitecture combination, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads or 8 cores and 16 threads, with maximum boost frequencies of 4.9GHz and 5.1GHz, and integrated Radeon 760M or 780M graphics with 8 or 12 CU units.
The R5 version comes standard with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, with a launch price of 3999 yuan. The R7 version offers three configuration combinations of 32GB+512GB, 32GB+2TB, and 64GB+2TB, with launch prices of 4999 yuan, 5999 yuan, and 6999 yuan respectively. Considering that the memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded, I personally recommend the 32GB+2TB configuration for an all-in-one solution.
The GPD WIN Mini features a MicroSD card reader, USB4, fully functional USB-C3.2 Gen2, and audio interface, retaining the Oculink interface for perfect compatibility with GPD’s own G1 docking station. It has a built-in 44.24Wh battery, paired with a 65W power adapter.
In summary, the GPD WIN Mini is a more compact travel gaming handheld and laptop that can easily fit into a bag for long trips. The performance of the Ryzen 7 7840U is unquestionable, making it a capable gaming device while also handling some temporary work tasks through its physical keyboard and touchscreen. However, due to its form factor, it cannot serve as a primary PC for family use. The launch price is relatively reasonable, and it is essential to understand your actual needs when purchasing such products.
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