GPD Win - The first windows handheld

DarkOrb

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Hey,

Today i want to show you the first handheld with windows 10: The "GPD Win". After its successful Indiegogo campaign (they got 535% of their target), the handheld from the chinese company "GPD" will be released this october.

Now, what is so special about the GPD Win? Well, it´s a full-fledged pc in a handheld format with the measurements of a Nintendo 3DS XL (so it will also fit in 3DS XL cases). It´s the most portable windows device on the market right now. Beside a full-fledged mini-keyboard, the GPD Win also has Joysticks, a D-Pad, ABXY-Buttons, and shoulder buttons (L1, L2, R1, R2). It also has countless ports like USB Type C, MicroSD-Slot, USB-Type A (so you can use pc devices (like a mouse, printer etc.) without an otg-cable) and a headphone jack. The joysticks also have a switch so you can choose a mouse-mode (this way you can use the joysticks as a mouse) or a gamepad-mode.

http://imgur.com/a/FYl2j

The GPD Win uses a Intel X7 Z8750 Cherry Trail processor which turns the GPD Win in combination with the 4GB Ram to a mobile gaming powerhouse. This powerhouse has to be cooled, so the GPD Win has a inbuilt fan.

Here are some videos where you can see how powerful the GPD Win is:







These videos are showing a Z8750 in action, so the performance will be comparable with the performance of the GPD Win:



(Rechts das Gerät ist vergleichbar mit dem GPD Win)











You will also be able to use demanding emulators, like pcsx2 or dolphin:


The GPD Win will cost 330$ if you pre-order. After that it will cost 499$, which will still be a bargain for such a powerhouse handheld. You can find more informations here:

http://www.gpd.hk/gpdwin.asp

What do you think about the GPD Win? Will you buy it, and if yes, what will you use it for?

Kind regards.
 
Last edited by DarkOrb,

Smoker1

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Had mine for a while now and while it does have it's Perks, it does have some drawbacks.

Pros:
Windows OS WITH attached KeyBoard and GamePad.
In addition to having a MicroSD Card Slot, it has a FULL USB 3.0 Port.
Switch to select either DInput for older Games or XInput (Emulated 360 Controller) for newer Games.
Bluetooth for connecting Wireless Headsets, and other Devices.

Cons:
Only 64GB Internal Storage which makes Users have to depend on MicroSD and USB Storage
1 USB Port. This is supposed to be a Portable Unit right? So get rid of the MiniHDMI Port and throw in another USB Port. Due to only having 1, it requires Users to get a Hub making this a Bulky Portable Device
No way to Upgrade the Internal Storage, RAM, CPU and/or GPU
The L/R 3 Buttons are not part of the Joystick Assembly.
The L/R Shoulder/Trigger Buttons are kind of a pain to Use. If the Device was slightly thicker, they could be placed in a better Location like how typical Controllers have them. Who knows, a thicker Device, you could have 2 USB Ports on top of each other.
Fan Location could have been placed in a better Location so when a User is holding the Device, the Fan Slots would not be partially Blocked
The Switch for the Mouse/GamePad is kind of problematic. The Switch should have been just for D/X Input, and a Nub used as the Mouse with L/R Buttons dedicated for Mouse Buttons placed somewhere on the Upper Section of the Keyboard or next to the Nub. This way, the Controller can be used at any/all times. As it is now, you have to Switch to a Controller Mode BEFORE you run a Emulator/Game or it might not be working.
Just my preference, but if the Device was slightly wider, it could have a Full Keyboard with Number Pad
No Accessories for the Device like Skins, Cases, Protectors. As it is, Users have to make their own Skins from scratch and use Cases from other Devices like the N3DS XL
Not Released with proper Replacements on sites like Amazon or Ebay. Especially replacement Batteries if a User needs to get a new one. When you take the Device apart, the Battery can be Replaceable. It disconnects from the Motherboard so there should be replacements if a User can find one that is Compatible.
Not sure why, but BlueStacks will NOT run properly. It seems the Rotation is Reversed. If you are holding the Device in Landscape Mode, BlueStacks will Display in Portrait Mode. The Reverse happens in Portrait Mode. I have tried Changing the Values in RegEdit, but that does not work. As such, you will need NOX to run Android Emulation.

Compatible Parts I have found through Testing:
O/N 3DS XL Directional Pad is a EXACT Fit. Not to mention with the indent in the Center, it has better use.
The 2nd Gen Vita Joystick is a match. Do NOT use the 1st Gen. The GPD Win requires a Ribbon Cable with 4 Connectors. The 1st Gen has 6 Connectors so when you run the Device, the Mouse with go Down/Left. However, it seems like most of what you find out there are the cheap Joysticks with the Rubber Coverings that will start coming apart. But I did find a Seller on Amazon who was selling the PROPER Joysticks that look like the 1st Gen Vita, and had the 4 Connector Ribbon Cable. Feels much better.

Edit: Currently trying to figure out what eMMC Chips will work with this, same for LPDDR3-1600 RAM Chips. Saw a Video on YouTube of a S3 having the eMMC being Replaced with a higher Capacity Storage Chip and it worked. Required a Heat Gun and a few other items, but if a proper 128GB or 256GB can be found and a 8-16GB RAM can be found, who knows, it might improve the Unit
BlueStacks Problem Part 2.jpg BlueStacks Problem.jpg IMAG0168.jpg IMAG0173.jpg IMAG0186.jpg IMAG0190.jpg
 
Last edited by Smoker1,

nl255

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It sounds like a very nice device but it isn't the first Windows handheld as there have been plenty in Japan and could be ordered from specialist sites like dynamism.com (before they switched over to selling 3D printer/scanner stuff they sold the latest Japanese/Asian electronics including handheld computers only slightly larger than the GPD back in the Vista days). You can see a picture of the old dynamism site with handheld Windows 7 computers like the viliv NS series here.
 
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Smoker1

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It sounds like a very nice device but it isn't the first Windows handheld as there have been plenty in Japan and could be ordered from specialist sites like dynamism.com (before they switched over to selling 3D printer/scanner stuff they sold the latest Japanese/Asian electronics including handheld computers only slightly larger than the GPD back in the Vista days). You can see a picture of the old dynamism site with handheld Windows 7 computers like the viliv NS series here.
Well I am talking about it being a first for Gaming. Has a Keyboard AND GamePad. But yeah, Windows 7 or 8.1 would have been preferred instead of Windows 10
 

Smoker1

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Depends on the Game, and Settings used. Also depends on which DX you use either DX9, 10, 11 or 12.
http://gpdwin.wikia.com/wiki/GPDWin_Wiki
Link shows all Games and Emulation Compatibility and other Info.

Now my GPD Win is now fully Modded with what I could. Both Joysticks Replaced, DPad Replaced, self made Skins applied.
IMAG0201.jpg
 

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ital

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This, whilst a bit rough and ready, looks like a great indicator of whats to come in terms of handheld power computing. The follow up version that looks like a netbook from GPD appears it will be the perfected form of this idea as I have my doubts that this much power can be efficiently cooled in order to maintain long term reliability without the need for a reflow station at some point.
 

Smoker1

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Well the GPD Portable looks like it is mainly for Email, Web, Video/Music Playing. Without a included GamePad, would only have Limited Gaming ability. Hopefully there will be a Company or Group that will improve upon the Win in the next few Years. More USB Ports, Additional Mouse so the Controller can only need to be set to DInput or XInput, Additional Speaker, bigger Fan, User Replace/Upgrade RAM, Internal Storage, and Pen type Input Screen.
 

Lord M

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I have many questions about this GPD, too much to say the truth, so for now i only ask some:

1) Can the controller and keyboard be combined during gameplay? Game such Fable and Jade Empire use F1-F9 as a shortcut for magic/ style/ items. What i want to know if is possible to use, as instance, the joytick to move character and the F-1-F9 keyboard as shortcuts, or we can only use only one from either keyboard and controller?

2) Someone can test the savestates features in both GC and Ps2 emulations? Or, at least, how fast are.

3) In the most-worst situation, is possible to use controller such Ps3 or X360?

4) GC controller have USB adapter; can be used in this device, expecially for Dolphin?
 

Smoker1

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@Lord M :
1: Should. Been able to use the XInput Mode (Switch moved to the Right) and am still able to use the Keyboard. Especially in MAME.
3: The GPD Win has 2 Controller Modes
- DInput: Like PSX/PS2 Controllers
- XInput: XBox 360 Controller type Emulation
4: Should be able to. Also can use Bluetooth Controllers as well
 

Lord M

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@Lord M :
1: Should. Been able to use the XInput Mode (Switch moved to the Right) and am still able to use the Keyboard. Especially in MAME.
3: The GPD Win has 2 Controller Modes
- DInput: Like PSX/PS2 Controllers
- XInput: XBox 360 Controller type Emulation
4: Should be able to. Also can use Bluetooth Controllers as well
Thanks, that's good. I wonder how fun could be to play Fable with analog stick to move and shortcuts-F buttons to use magic and items!
And you can try how fast in Gc and ps2 the save and load state features are?
 

Smoker1

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GC Games and Wii Games depend on which Game, and also which DX you are using. I forgot which one, but I know 1 works better than the other. NSMB Wii works pretty good. DKCR used to work, but now crashes. Dont know why.
PS2 Emulation on the other hand...........Depends on Settings Used and also depends on the Game.
Should be all you need
http://gpdwin.wikia.com/wiki/GPDWin_Wiki
 

Lord M

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GC Games and Wii Games depend on which Game, and also which DX you are using. I forgot which one, but I know 1 works better than the other. NSMB Wii works pretty good. DKCR used to work, but now crashes. Dont know why.
PS2 Emulation on the other hand...........Depends on Settings Used and also depends on the Game.
Should be all you need
http://gpdwin.wikia.com/wiki/GPDWin_Wiki
I didn't mean about compatibility, but about savestate features. You know what are savestate? Its amazing, and i think is very useful to enjoy the old games after we are grown-up, because of lack of checkpoints and save points in certain games (and so, players will be less irritating lol). Can you make a try of a savestate then a load of one of both of any ps2 and GC games at you choice?
 

Smoker1

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Saving/Loading States seems to work fine for GC Games. Just tested Mario Kart DD. Finished a Race, went to another Course, finished that one then Loaded the State. Worked great
 

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