The reason I think clamshell handhelds are some of the BEST is because the angle of grip is decoupled from the angle of view. This drastically improves ergonomics because your wrist can be at a comfortable angle and then you can tilt the screen to the best viewing angle.
Im a steamdeck fanboy, but I got to say this is a sick device, ds vibes, and it makes it looks like I can fit it in my pocket, and the mini keyboard looks soooo good, typing on the steam deck is ok, just nowhere near as good as a thumb board or real keyboard
@@JDabz96I am a SteamDeck fan boy too but ordered this for the real keyboard and native Windows. I will keep my Deck for the Steam games and Emulation Station. I will use my mini for streaming films, origin, gog, epic, battlenet, ubisoft etc, playing anti cheat games. (I know you can put windows on Deck and I already use Heroic but like the idea of these 2 separate setups) I am also going to put some emulation on my mini but focus that on the systems that had keyboards!
I gotta say i'm really happy to have the USB A port. I will use this 100% portable, and I have enough stuff where using an A cable without an adapter is going to be really useful.
Usb A has got the best durability and fit, especially when compared to usb C. The C heads get loose after 1 year of use and using adapters with them? Forget about it! Even the lightest touch will drop the connection. But of course, all the latest tech is on Usb C, so we have to use it constantly.
@ezg8448 this is just not accurate. Many people have been using their USB C phones for years and we literally charge and use the plug multiple times daily. Not once has it come loose to that point or even considered loose.
@ezg8448 I think you got a lemon, USB-A is pretty great durability-wise, but USB-C is equivalent if not better. It's really only that little wiggle that you get if you pull a lot on the cable. I've literally never had USB-C drop out on me.
Hate it but I have to agree to this one. I also deploy customed ROM to Android phones and the USB A port is the way to go. Tried USB C - C cable cause the installation transfer problem.
Take a usb c hub, plug it in a phone, and move it around. It may be fine on 1 device, but not every one. Even that, the cut-off rate is low. It sounds like you all haven't used a usb audio DAC before. The most fickle device of them all and requires a PERFECT connection all the time. And I'm not saying good cables don't exist, the problem is you can't say that for every usb c available. EVERY usb A cable just works and holds its stiffness longer than c.
I feel so lucky to have bought the 2023 GPD win mini when I had the chance. I'm already setting up a 7800 xt oculink setup for 4k gaming when docked, while I can still game wherever I go with the integrated graphics. I have also been using it an awful lot at work. With a small usb-c to HDMI adapter you can take it wherever you go, since it's so small, and have the powerpoints and work stuff ready to show to ppl.
I'm surprised ppl wanted usb-a over oculink. eGPU's over oculink unlocks the potential of this tiny device. I don't see myself upgrading my Win Max 2 or Mini 7840U's for a while thanks to oculink.
@@FS-zt6tm while I appreciate the oculink for future need, I actually never used it as I dont have egpu and while I dont really wish for usb A, but I found myself in needs of it in a lot of situation where my devices (flash drive, wireless mouse, etc) asked for it and I forgot to bring the converter for usb c
@@kaishiliuright but that’s what a dock is for. When you need to use your mouse and keyboard at home, you can use one of the two usb-c ports for a dock to use a mouse and keyboard and hook up a flash drive and etc. I seriously don’t understand why people wanted GPD to get rid of a USEFUL port in order for a redundant and obsolete port. Boggles my mind honestly
@@DoubleDragon5180 ppl just have different needs. oculink would need ppl to have egpu, and most ppl dont have it, but most ppl have needs of usb c and A, and lots of ppl dont really like to use dock (including me).
I love my 2023 Win Mini, and I just went ahead and backed the 2024 refresh. I normally wouldn't replace a handheld so quickly, but the USB-A and VRR screen make it a notable upgrade for me, and enough people like Occulink that I'm fairly confident I'll be able to resell my 2023 for most of what I paid for it.
If you play it I think adding Helldivers 2 to the game testing line up would be great. Just my two-cents. I have mixed feelings about the lose of the oculink. But having a usb port is nice. Wish they could've found a way to have both.
@@mikeymaiku that's because a lot of ppl are smart and know they can get a more powerful eGPU setup for cheaper than that overpriced G1 they're selling
@@mikeymaiku You can still make your own oculink egpu. But yeah if not alot of people are buying them then it makes sense they would not offer the port moving forward.
@@Terreos ADT-Link just came out with a Oculink kit that uses the dell / lenovo square port. and its seriously cheap, like 270 CAD for the board and about 370 for the enclosure (onlyt fits up to 270mm gpus tho)
Would love to see you do a quick and simple guide setting this up and getting it ready out of the box for gaming, setting recommendations, power saver, software to add, drivers, etc, this will be my first handheld PC would be awesome to have a pro give their setup guide. Loved the video, thanks for the info.
Native landscape display and the return of the USB A port are MAJOR improvements for this, by all means. Playing older PC games and having an ultra fit large capacity drive to interchange easily with my laptop, specially for emulators' save files, has been a must for me with previous GPD Win products.
Just to put out there, if you are using the Win Mini 2023 with Linux (Bazzite, Nobara, ChimeraOS) after the initial setup the portrait display in old games is a non issue. I'm pretty happy with Oculink and the better colors of the 2023 - never felt the need for more motion clarity and most games I can tweak to run fine at 15w at 120/60/40/30fps so zero need for VRR for me.
I have an oculink eGPU with an RTX A2000, would it be possible to use it with Bazzite or any of the other Linux distros you mentioned? I have Bazzite and really like how similar it is to the Steam Deck experience, it would be nice to be able to use an eGPU with this OS.
Id like to see GPD bump the mini up to like an 8" 1200p display and the max up to like an 11.5" 1600p display with an 8945hs. Slightly larger form factors with bigger batteries, better cooling, and more usable keyboards
Hey im curious do you use any software on your devices? like handheld companion or any software you'd recommend for Win minis or Win4s? Id love a video or just a reply would be fine too.
Have you also ordered the new GPD Win4 2024 edition? I’d love to see a review on it! I’m sorely tempted to get the 4tb option because it could hold my entire Steam library, then I could use the sd card slot for emulation and id be set for years! My entire gaming library with me at all times sounds sick as hell!
So tempting, I know it's not possible but I would be 100% sold if it had full sized joysticks. On a separate note, will you be getting a hold of the Minisforum V3?
Tbh I'm more interested in the Snapdragon X Elite SP10 Consumer Edition with (potentially) an OLED screen. Hoping it will have enough grunt to make compatibility issues redundant. It could be the perfect emulation machine for me. Perhaps a video on it would be helpful for people? What we can expect based on the rumoured specs?
still on the fence with this, the igg backing still doesnt have the crazy 64GB model but got a feeling after the backer phase they'll add the 64GB model but also the 2230 m.2 thought there's adapter to extend a 2280 but you need a custom shell for that to fit and those arent exactly made by them/order from them
@kelvinchewjw I’m curious about this happening too. I don’t think it will unfortunately because every time gpd has been asked they’ve said they aren’t making a 64 version, but I don’t know if maybe they mean we aren’t making one right now but could in the future. I would greatly prefer this option and have mentioned that to Kendzhu on Reddit as have a bunch of other people so maybe they do have the concept waiting until after the backer phase. It’s a tough decision on whether it’s worth holding out to see or not
My dream handheld would be clamshell/foldable where either one screen is used for 16:9 content, or both for square-ish older games for improved visibility, with bottom part of it working like Steam Deck trackpads
I don’t like these clamshells but they do have a dedicated following. It’s great to see GPD improve on these devices so much. That native landscape panel is probably the biggest benefit as now you don’t have to deal with compatibility issues that are related to it. The experience for those who like these should be much better
@@ezg8448 Clamshells are perfect. If I wanted a gaming device I could only use at home I would buy a full fledged gaming PC. The 7 inch clamshell form factor on the mini gives you just enough portability to take it with you wherever you go without any inconvenience.
The 2024 Win Mini runs about 5C cooler than the 2023 version, although the heat issue was always exaggerated in the first place (I run my 2023 Win Mini at 20W, and the heat produced is nothing different than your standard gaming laptop).
my use case might be weird but i would like to see counter strike used in some benchmarks on low settings to see how much fps it can pump out!! my dream is to have a device like this that i can just dock at home to play at a desk when i want to play some cs or something and that i can take on the go for single player games :)
Coming from the win4, the keyboard was far less useable than I was hoping. If you ever want to actually type, or play a game that sometimes requires some keyboard use while using gamepad, is the win mini KB good enough, or is it still too compromised compared to win max?
would gladly accept a little added thickness if it solved the thermal issues and could give us a battery that is 20-30% larger. this gets so close to the perfect handheld for me, but never quite there. gonna stick with my 6800u win 4 for now.
good video as always, but I think you should include both test for games that have a upscaling setting (well, you can upscale any game if you use linux, but I mean games that natively have the option on settings). I understand that many people prefer to not upscale but many other people (like me) always upscale their games to gain more do’s if it’s necessary
I hope they bring back oculink for a future version of the Win Mini. I have the 2023 Mini and use it with the G1 everyday using Oculink. Oculink is so much better than usb-4.
@@Fleshlight_Reviewer The internal graphics are pretty good to handle anything 1080p on the mini display. Oculink makes more sense for docking and playing on a external display at 1440p or 4k and/or high refresh rate.
Nobody likes the occulink other than a select few. Like 90% of their buyers were demanding USB-A non stop. I'm on a film set right now with 4 gpd win minis being used to monitor and control different cameras and audio devices on set. Only complaint? The occulink port. Most people buying the mini also use it for work in some capacity. I use mine when shooting photos and videos, literally attached to the camera to review the cameras images and send them directly to another monitor my clients watch. Light enough I can literally hand hold the whole package. What you want isn't wrong, but GPD has data which says that the number of people who want what you want is too small for them to make money off you.
Now if only there's info if the new display is compatible with the 2023 model or not. My guess is edp vs mipi will mean different physical and or electrical interface... Well one can only hope.
Could you please elaborate on how you where able to lower the TDP to 2W? Is it only possible on the 2024 model? I have a 2023 7840u model and the total power draw is the biggest problem for me. Even a SNES emulator runs at around 4W resulting at over 7W total power draw and thats with Bluetooth and WiFi off, screen set to 60Hz and brightness down to 15%. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
@@Nunos645cgh to maximize battery life. And i love games like Celeste so if i can get 7h battery life playing a 2D indie game or a PS1 emulator then it would be perfect becase now im only getting around 4-5h playing the same games with every setting already turned down. 10-15W TDP has great performance but only around 2-3h battery life so i only use it if i have a power outlet nearby. If i have to go a whole day on a single charge then id rather play something that gives me the most battery time. No need for a bulky power bank then either.
Hello! Nice video as always! Was wondering if you could make a video about installing BazziteOs on a z1 extreme handheld and its pros and cons (battery performance, gaming performance vs windows) and using cryoutilities on it to see if any improve works? Best regards from Portugal
Really considering replacing my Ally with GPD Mini. Sure Asus has legit representative in my country and GPD isn't, but the mini seems like a proper mini laptop that doubles as handheld. Seriously considering it because of this video.
As for wattage, there are some games you just need more then 15w. I play dragons dogma 2 on my mini at 20w. It's a little warm, but certainly not hot. Plus since i play with the grips my hands are cool.
I love my gen 1 mini, but not enough of an upgrade to get this. I unlike phawx prefer to use the grips. Makes it feel like a controller. Would prefer they shrunk the keyboard a bit and put in off set sticks in the future though.
You can send me your old one. Ill take it off your hands to help decrease your stress :P But all joking aside I love the concept of the GPD win mini. I almost got the first iteration but decided against it because I was hoping the keyboard could make it double as a mini laptop but it didnt seem like that was the case based on reviews. The GPD win Max 2 looked closer to what im desiring for the mini laptop but its quite large for gaming handheld and the price was too high. I need a GPD win medium hah
Thank you for using benchmarks without upscaling filters that just destroy any reliability to these benchmarks. Native is always preferred, and in many cases, native lowered resolution is superior to relying on upscaling anyways. The GPD Win Mini 2024 is a dream PC handheld for sure. Insane performance on a compact pocketable form factor with VRR 120hz. VRR is really perfect for handhelds. By the way, I would rather have USB4 over Oculink. So much more utilities than just hooking to an eGPU.
Very nice video. I was wondering if there would be a comparison video between legion go ,rog ally, gpd win 4 8840u no videos at all regarding that topic. or is it alteast worth upgrading from a legion go? Thank you for existing you are legit the best out here
So nice, the native landscape screen lets you use AMD AFMF, and the much improved 2.0 version will be launched. This is a game changer and improves the FPS in all games too much.
I have an ally but Debating buying the mini 2024 because of its portability and better IO - I travel a bit for work. My concern is the performance of the new mini vs the ally - would you say the new mini performs better?
Oh, it's hot. I use a printed cooling grip and it's hot even on 12w TDP, I can barely touch the ABXY+DPAD area after 1-2 minutes of booting it, really not a pleasant experience for me. That being said, if you're playing shooters or games that don't require a lot of ABXY+DPAD, it's fine (hot on the bottom, but that's what the cooling grip is for). That being said, there's nothing quite like it in terms of Windows portability.
UGH... the gpdwinmini would be so perfect for my pocket/camera bag. I wish that my winmax2 wasn't a lemon and that GPD had fixed it when I sent it in. This seems like finally a replacement for my OG gpdwin that was in my camera bag/pocket for like 5 years.
@@thibaldus3 personally, I just want my gpdwinmax2 to work. I got is Nov 2022 for the IGG. They finally got it to stop BSOD over and over after a year. I sent it in (~$300 shipping) and it came back still BSOD. Then I sent the SSD and that stopped the BSOD. But now the USB disconnects if you look at the device, but it doesn't tell the OS. If I transfer files, the files will look identical size/date wise, but if you do a bitwise comparison, JPEGs are corrupt.
Yep, sometimes it's like that with GPD products. My maxed WinMax 2 is thankfully [mostly] fine. I am very tempted for WinMini, & I will eventually get 1, but because of the WinMax, I am not that in a hurry.
@@hihellokitty85 My OG GPDwin is perfect. I replaced the battery once. 16MP was fine, but the problem is that it takes an hour to back up 44MP pictures of just one band. I run scripts to back up the photos in between bands. the GPDwin3 was great, but I couldn't put it in my pocket while it was backing up photos. The gpdwinmax2 just never worked right and currently sits on my desk unused because I can't trust it. I really want the mini, but idk if I can do it with the problems I've had.
I don’t think they have a 6in version available. They pretty much got the Ally display. A 6in version would have to be custom made by a display manufacturer. 🤷🏽♂️
@@BarelyAverageDude I was wondering why I felt warm tears rolling down my cheeks, it was the hope I experienced from your comment. I want this panel please 🙏
@@GameTechTalk Yup both of you are correct. I have not seen any panel manufacturer make a 6" 120Hz VRR landscape display yet. It would be quite a financial hit for a panel manufacturer to make a lot of motherglass specifically for the 6-inch devices if there aren't many OEMs using them in their products. Smartphones would work but I don't think any of those smartphones need a landscape-oriented panel.
Naaah my gpd win mini 2023 is getting warm after 30mins to my hands and ssd when is writing is to hot. If they changed nothing in newer version then ill wait.
Sad to see Oculink gone in favor of an obsolete port. USB-C is the future and newer devices will have to use USB-C at some point. I read some arguments about “loose” ports of USB-C and that’s a flat out lie and this is coming from someone who owns a LOT of USB Hubs. Unless, you buy the cheapest USB-C cable(that same argument also goes for USB-A. Cheap ones break within less than a year) USB-C cables are just as durable. *Edit speaking of USB Hubs, another argument I saw was the use of legacy devices and again, WHY? It’s only one port and if you have multiple devices that uses that same port, makes it more inconvenient. USB dock/Hub capability? There are USB-C docks and Hubs available. I’m more upset that GPD catered to a more of a niche audience than Oculink ESPECIALLY since they were the ones who tried to make Oculink more mainstream.
Most of the 3rd party peripherals use USB-A, not to mention flush thumb drives which are quick and easy extra storage. I have the 2023 Mini version and the 2024 GPD Win 4 version, and both have this Oculink port which is completely and utterly useless to me, so I got F-ed because GPD listened to people like you...
@@megaloth1955 and they need to continue to listen because USB-A is a useless and redundant port that is succeeded by USB-C. USB-A is useless to me because I have USB-C cables, devices and dongles. Also, most 3rd party peripherals are moving to USB-C especially for handhelds(Thanks STEAM DECK). Oculink ACTUALLY has a purpose due to being able to bring a Nintendo Switch Style of Hybrid console portability and you can use your GPU as well as not being limited to certain GPUs due to bandwidth(USB 4/ Thunderbolt 3/4)
Nope. Not at all. I have both, and the Win 4 is better in almost every way. The only thing the Win MIni is better at is portability - you close the lid and stick it in your pocket (not a Jeans pocket, but cargo pants will do nicely.) It's really awesome in that regard, great for commute and such. But for actually playing games, the Win 4 is the considerably better option, in my opinion.
Qualcomm will need at least 5 years for software and games to be optimized for the Snapdragon X Elite series. 5 years from now I hope there will be Linux or Windows Handheld Gaming powered by Snapdragon X Elite Series.
@@DoubleDragon5180 I ended up getting it anyway. The usb 4 and my onexplayer gpu is fine for the devices screen when I want a little bedside boost in graphics. Hopefully the next iteration they do away with this nonsense…maybe by then we have usb 5
It's really worth it. I have had my 2023 version for a while and I can say it completely replaces all the usage of any laptop, any other handheld you might have. Even my smartphone I've been using way less, just for basic stuff. I've transfered all my gaming/work away from home to my mini and I have been having a great time with it.
Do you think it is worth it if I already have an Ally Z1E - I do travel a bit for work so think it may be worth the addition but looking for thoughts- it seems like a good all around device.
@@Rob7911 If you can sell your Ally or give it away to a loved one and you have the money for a Win Mini I'd say it's a no brainer, really. It is the combination of best all around device and the smallest form factor ever made for a high performance computer. And the battery lasts an eternity when not gaming at high TDP. Everytime I use it, it's so good it feels like alien technology, really. It's unbelievable. If the oculink matters to you get a 2023 version. I am docking my 2023 Mini with an RX 7800 XT while at home and 4k gaming works flawlessly on it for all current gen triple A games. If, on the other hand, oculink doesn't matter to you, just go with the 2024 version, you'll have a nice native usb-A port.
20 64gb option is because the previous 64gb didnt sell well enough to make it worth it for them. Almost nobody Ive spoken to in the community got 64gb besides me.
Tbh, getting rid of Oculink and replacing with USB A is a big upgrade for me too. Oculink is ironically too future proofed and reduces current functionality
yeah, but the 88x0u processors have that creepy ai tech that nobody asked for and they didn't give us an option to get the new chips without it.. ugg, hate that we have to tolerate that bs to get the vrr screen...
The reason I think clamshell handhelds are some of the BEST is because the angle of grip is decoupled from the angle of view. This drastically improves ergonomics because your wrist can be at a comfortable angle and then you can tilt the screen to the best viewing angle.
100% agree.
just move your forearms???? you have an elbow for a reason
@@snowwsquirethat didn’t make any sense
@@jay70games14 If your wrists are in a fixed position you can still use your elbows and shoulders to control the angle of the device
@@snowwsquireyet you can’t move your angle of view with your elbow. Clam shell are great for neck pain
Came for the thumbnail transition, stayed for the top tier content (that doesn’t apply to me at all). Stoked for those who benefit
Clamshell handhelds are the best. So much power in such a comfortable form that easy to take with you
Im a steamdeck fanboy, but I got to say this is a sick device, ds vibes, and it makes it looks like I can fit it in my pocket, and the mini keyboard looks soooo good, typing on the steam deck is ok, just nowhere near as good as a thumb board or real keyboard
Clamshell never got me, always fan of gameboy adv.,psp and still happy with my ayaneo 2s despite the aya software.
@@Andy11467 I prefer vita/psp go but the clamshell is nice for protection
@@JDabz96I am a SteamDeck fan boy too but ordered this for the real keyboard and native Windows.
I will keep my Deck for the Steam games and Emulation Station.
I will use my mini for streaming films, origin, gog, epic, battlenet, ubisoft etc, playing anti cheat games. (I know you can put windows on Deck and I already use Heroic but like the idea of these 2 separate setups)
I am also going to put some emulation on my mini but focus that on the systems that had keyboards!
@Noneofyours645 this is a great idea, use the steam deck where it shines, use this for everything else
I gotta say i'm really happy to have the USB A port. I will use this 100% portable, and I have enough stuff where using an A cable without an adapter is going to be really useful.
Usb A has got the best durability and fit, especially when compared to usb C. The C heads get loose after 1 year of use and using adapters with them? Forget about it! Even the lightest touch will drop the connection.
But of course, all the latest tech is on Usb C, so we have to use it constantly.
@ezg8448 this is just not accurate. Many people have been using their USB C phones for years and we literally charge and use the plug multiple times daily. Not once has it come loose to that point or even considered loose.
@ezg8448
I think you got a lemon, USB-A is pretty great durability-wise, but USB-C is equivalent if not better. It's really only that little wiggle that you get if you pull a lot on the cable. I've literally never had USB-C drop out on me.
Hate it but I have to agree to this one. I also deploy customed ROM to Android phones and the USB A port is the way to go. Tried USB C - C cable cause the installation transfer problem.
Take a usb c hub, plug it in a phone, and move it around. It may be fine on 1 device, but not every one. Even that, the cut-off rate is low.
It sounds like you all haven't used a usb audio DAC before. The most fickle device of them all and requires a PERFECT connection all the time.
And I'm not saying good cables don't exist, the problem is you can't say that for every usb c available. EVERY usb A cable just works and holds its stiffness longer than c.
I feel so lucky to have bought the 2023 GPD win mini when I had the chance. I'm already setting up a 7800 xt oculink setup for 4k gaming when docked, while I can still game wherever I go with the integrated graphics.
I have also been using it an awful lot at work. With a small usb-c to HDMI adapter you can take it wherever you go, since it's so small, and have the powerpoints and work stuff ready to show to ppl.
I'm surprised ppl wanted usb-a over oculink. eGPU's over oculink unlocks the potential of this tiny device. I don't see myself upgrading my Win Max 2 or Mini 7840U's for a while thanks to oculink.
@@FS-zt6tm while I appreciate the oculink for future need, I actually never used it as I dont have egpu and while I dont really wish for usb A, but I found myself in needs of it in a lot of situation where my devices (flash drive, wireless mouse, etc) asked for it and I forgot to bring the converter for usb c
@@kaishiliuright but that’s what a dock is for. When you need to use your mouse and keyboard at home, you can use one of the two usb-c ports for a dock to use a mouse and keyboard and hook up a flash drive and etc. I seriously don’t understand why people wanted GPD to get rid of a USEFUL port in order for a redundant and obsolete port. Boggles my mind honestly
@@DoubleDragon5180 ppl just have different needs.
oculink would need ppl to have egpu, and most ppl dont have it, but most ppl have needs of usb c and A, and lots of ppl dont really like to use dock (including me).
I love my 2023 Win Mini, and I just went ahead and backed the 2024 refresh. I normally wouldn't replace a handheld so quickly, but the USB-A and VRR screen make it a notable upgrade for me, and enough people like Occulink that I'm fairly confident I'll be able to resell my 2023 for most of what I paid for it.
If you play it I think adding Helldivers 2 to the game testing line up would be great. Just my two-cents. I have mixed feelings about the lose of the oculink. But having a usb port is nice. Wish they could've found a way to have both.
that probably a reflection on how many egpus they have sold...
@@mikeymaiku that's because a lot of ppl are smart and know they can get a more powerful eGPU setup for cheaper than that overpriced G1 they're selling
@@mikeymaiku You can still make your own oculink egpu. But yeah if not alot of people are buying them then it makes sense they would not offer the port moving forward.
@@Terreos ADT-Link just came out with a Oculink kit that uses the dell / lenovo square port. and its seriously cheap, like 270 CAD for the board and about 370 for the enclosure (onlyt fits up to 270mm gpus tho)
Would love to see you do a quick and simple guide setting this up and getting it ready out of the box for gaming, setting recommendations, power saver, software to add, drivers, etc, this will be my first handheld PC would be awesome to have a pro give their setup guide. Loved the video, thanks for the info.
No Ocu-link on the 2024 version, apparantly, people wanted a full-size USB port 🤦♂️
Both would be better, of course.
Man if it had Occulink this was the holy grail I was waiting for... But... Guess the dream still continues.
Got the 2023 version since it has occulink and a 64gb ram version
RIP oculink, but I’m excited for this new Win Mini. (Happy to have USB A)
Oh it's you
@@camerontruelol my bad
Thank you for a great review !! Definitely makes me feel even better about my purchase.
I'm beyond excited to get my hands on this
Native landscape display and the return of the USB A port are MAJOR improvements for this, by all means. Playing older PC games and having an ultra fit large capacity drive to interchange easily with my laptop, specially for emulators' save files, has been a must for me with previous GPD Win products.
Always the best break downs! Thanks for your work
Just to put out there, if you are using the Win Mini 2023 with Linux (Bazzite, Nobara, ChimeraOS) after the initial setup the portrait display in old games is a non issue. I'm pretty happy with Oculink and the better colors of the 2023 - never felt the need for more motion clarity and most games I can tweak to run fine at 15w at 120/60/40/30fps so zero need for VRR for me.
I have an oculink eGPU with an RTX A2000, would it be possible to use it with Bazzite or any of the other Linux distros you mentioned? I have Bazzite and really like how similar it is to the Steam Deck experience, it would be nice to be able to use an eGPU with this OS.
@@FS-zt6tm oculink in those distros work if you boot in KDE (KDE 6 even better)
@@jcarloz0 does it work for NVIDIA graphics cards? I heard it only works for AMD cards but I could be wrong
@@FS-zt6tm don’t know, i only use it with AMD
This is amazing. But its time for OLED to take over. LCD display just doesn't cut it in terms of clarity nor quality.
All we already in that state where the oleds higher power consumption does not matter? Haven't followed this since ps vita oled/lcd.
@TheDarkmore oled takes less power as it doesn't need backlight.
Excited to try frame gen now we get VRR finally
Id like to see GPD bump the mini up to like an 8" 1200p display and the max up to like an 11.5" 1600p display with an 8945hs. Slightly larger form factors with bigger batteries, better cooling, and more usable keyboards
Hey im curious do you use any software on your devices? like handheld companion or any software you'd recommend for Win minis or Win4s? Id love a video or just a reply would be fine too.
Have you also ordered the new GPD Win4 2024 edition? I’d love to see a review on it!
I’m sorely tempted to get the 4tb option because it could hold my entire Steam library, then I could use the sd card slot for emulation and id be set for years! My entire gaming library with me at all times sounds sick as hell!
Finally!!! Thanks Phawx!
Does it burn hands just like GPD WIN 2?
Could the 2024 screen be transplanted to 2023 7840U version?
oh boy I was waiting for this review! refreshing your channel every day
Hope you enjoy it!
@@ThePhawx Can GPD Win Mini run Minecraft Java Edition? My GPD Win 2 refuses to run Java version of Minecraft.
The NES wearing the N64 like a pirate hat is funny
A subtle hint to what we should do
So tempting, I know it's not possible but I would be 100% sold if it had full sized joysticks. On a separate note, will you be getting a hold of the Minisforum V3?
Tbh I'm more interested in the Snapdragon X Elite SP10 Consumer Edition with (potentially) an OLED screen. Hoping it will have enough grunt to make compatibility issues redundant. It could be the perfect emulation machine for me. Perhaps a video on it would be helpful for people? What we can expect based on the rumoured specs?
did they fix the backlight? it never stays on with the 2023 model.
still on the fence with this, the igg backing still doesnt have the crazy 64GB model but got a feeling after the backer phase they'll add the 64GB model but also the 2230 m.2 thought there's adapter to extend a 2280 but you need a custom shell for that to fit and those arent exactly made by them/order from them
@kelvinchewjw I’m curious about this happening too. I don’t think it will unfortunately because every time gpd has been asked they’ve said they aren’t making a 64 version, but I don’t know if maybe they mean we aren’t making one right now but could in the future. I would greatly prefer this option and have mentioned that to Kendzhu on Reddit as have a bunch of other people so maybe they do have the concept waiting until after the backer phase. It’s a tough decision on whether it’s worth holding out to see or not
Do you think the upcoming Win Max 4 (2024) with 8840U needs to have VRR as well?
Could you test 12, 13, and 14 watt? There seems to be some diminishing returns around 15 watt.
My dream handheld would be clamshell/foldable where either one screen is used for 16:9 content, or both for square-ish older games for improved visibility, with bottom part of it working like Steam Deck trackpads
Have you seen the new handheld with the 2 screens on the way?
That Aya Neo? Sadly 3ds style, but i hope interest will build up that someone starts experimenting with that idea
We have the same dream lol
I don’t like these clamshells but they do have a dedicated following. It’s great to see GPD improve on these devices so much. That native landscape panel is probably the biggest benefit as now you don’t have to deal with compatibility issues that are related to it. The experience for those who like these should be much better
Clamshells aren't bad, but the cost of using one is those less than ideal analog stick... it's a heavy cost.
@@ezg8448 Clamshells are perfect. If I wanted a gaming device I could only use at home I would buy a full fledged gaming PC. The 7 inch clamshell form factor on the mini gives you just enough portability to take it with you wherever you go without any inconvenience.
This was my first choice but I ended up pre ordering the new gpd win 4 can’t wait
The GPD was a crazy beast ... loved the overal qualioty of these products. 😄
Thanks for the great video Phawx. Have they addressed the ssd heat issue in this new iteration?
The 2024 Win Mini runs about 5C cooler than the 2023 version, although the heat issue was always exaggerated in the first place (I run my 2023 Win Mini at 20W, and the heat produced is nothing different than your standard gaming laptop).
Would this be an upgrade over the winmax 4 6800u?
my use case might be weird but i would like to see counter strike used in some benchmarks on low settings to see how much fps it can pump out!! my dream is to have a device like this that i can just dock at home to play at a desk when i want to play some cs or something and that i can take on the go for single player games :)
Any comparison with the ayaneo flip kb in the future?
Coming from the win4, the keyboard was far less useable than I was hoping. If you ever want to actually type, or play a game that sometimes requires some keyboard use while using gamepad, is the win mini KB good enough, or is it still too compromised compared to win max?
It is not actually practical for gaming/typing other than entering your password.
Win MAX/pocket 3 has reasonably sized keys and switches.
The keyboard on Win Mini is kinda like blackberry’s. Not a real keyboard per se, definitely not comparable to win max.
would gladly accept a little added thickness if it solved the thermal issues and could give us a battery that is 20-30% larger. this gets so close to the perfect handheld for me, but never quite there. gonna stick with my 6800u win 4 for now.
Where's the Legion Go and ROG Ally comparison?
good video as always, but I think you should include both test for games that have a upscaling setting (well, you can upscale any game if you use linux, but I mean games that natively have the option on settings). I understand that many people prefer to not upscale but many other people (like me) always upscale their games to gain more do’s if it’s necessary
Giving The Callisto Protocol some love. My man.
lmao
I hope they bring back oculink for a future version of the Win Mini. I have the 2023 Mini and use it with the G1 everyday using Oculink. Oculink is so much better than usb-4.
Do you run it into an external monitor or back into the same display
@@Fleshlight_Reviewer The internal graphics are pretty good to handle anything 1080p on the mini display. Oculink makes more sense for docking and playing on a external display at 1440p or 4k and/or high refresh rate.
Nobody likes the occulink other than a select few. Like 90% of their buyers were demanding USB-A non stop. I'm on a film set right now with 4 gpd win minis being used to monitor and control different cameras and audio devices on set. Only complaint? The occulink port. Most people buying the mini also use it for work in some capacity. I use mine when shooting photos and videos, literally attached to the camera to review the cameras images and send them directly to another monitor my clients watch. Light enough I can literally hand hold the whole package.
What you want isn't wrong, but GPD has data which says that the number of people who want what you want is too small for them to make money off you.
Now if only there's info if the new display is compatible with the 2023 model or not. My guess is edp vs mipi will mean different physical and or electrical interface... Well one can only hope.
Could you please elaborate on how you where able to lower the TDP to 2W? Is it only possible on the 2024 model?
I have a 2023 7840u model and the total power draw is the biggest problem for me. Even a SNES emulator runs at around 4W resulting at over 7W total power draw and thats with Bluetooth and WiFi off, screen set to 60Hz and brightness down to 15%. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Why would you want the wattage so low? Most don’t go below 10 TDP and the sweet spot is 15w
@@Nunos645cgh to maximize battery life. And i love games like Celeste so if i can get 7h battery life playing a 2D indie game or a PS1 emulator then it would be perfect becase now im only getting around 4-5h playing the same games with every setting already turned down.
10-15W TDP has great performance but only around 2-3h battery life so i only use it if i have a power outlet nearby. If i have to go a whole day on a single charge then id rather play something that gives me the most battery time. No need for a bulky power bank then either.
These hold their value pretty well on ebay so if one did want to upgrade every couple of years it's not too bad of a hit.
How about overclock to 40W with a aditional cooler?
Hello! Nice video as always!
Was wondering if you could make a video about installing BazziteOs on a z1 extreme handheld and its pros and cons (battery performance, gaming performance vs windows) and using cryoutilities on it to see if any improve works?
Best regards from Portugal
Really considering replacing my Ally with GPD Mini. Sure Asus has legit representative in my country and GPD isn't, but the mini seems like a proper mini laptop that doubles as handheld. Seriously considering it because of this video.
Can i compare the new 8000 amd gpd win mini and win max 2
Is this worth getting over a Steam Deck OLED? A 10W TDP performance-to-battery-life ratio comparison would be nice.
Steam Deck would most likely win. It's still the low watt king.
@@FS-zt6tm the phawx did post on Twitter that the 8840u performance was better @ 10w but it's actually because it uses more total system power
I can't wait until these features get added to the next GPD win max
Can we map controller buttons as we like?
As for wattage, there are some games you just need more then 15w. I play dragons dogma 2 on my mini at 20w. It's a little warm, but certainly not hot. Plus since i play with the grips my hands are cool.
I love how in-depth and insightful your reviews are
Personally I would prefer average fps instead of median
I love my gen 1 mini, but not enough of an upgrade to get this. I unlike phawx prefer to use the grips. Makes it feel like a controller. Would prefer they shrunk the keyboard a bit and put in off set sticks in the future though.
You can send me your old one. Ill take it off your hands to help decrease your stress :P But all joking aside I love the concept of the GPD win mini. I almost got the first iteration but decided against it because I was hoping the keyboard could make it double as a mini laptop but it didnt seem like that was the case based on reviews. The GPD win Max 2 looked closer to what im desiring for the mini laptop but its quite large for gaming handheld and the price was too high. I need a GPD win medium hah
How well does the keyboard work? Can you type with full hands or only thumbs?
i hate that they removed oculink
Thank you for using benchmarks without upscaling filters that just destroy any reliability to these benchmarks. Native is always preferred, and in many cases, native lowered resolution is superior to relying on upscaling anyways.
The GPD Win Mini 2024 is a dream PC handheld for sure. Insane performance on a compact pocketable form factor with VRR 120hz. VRR is really perfect for handhelds. By the way, I would rather have USB4 over Oculink. So much more utilities than just hooking to an eGPU.
Hope they keep this display for upcoming handheld, not interested in a 8840u, prefer to wait for strix point instead.
wish you true hope yr gonna make it 🙏
Still waiting for the WinMax to get a 120hz+ and VRR display 🤞🤞 Awesome breakdown as always!
Very nice video. I was wondering if there would be a comparison video between legion go ,rog ally, gpd win 4 8840u no videos at all regarding that topic. or is it alteast worth upgrading from a legion go? Thank you for existing you are legit the best out here
thanks for your review as usual ! i had with my Win max 2 a very short range of the wifi, what's your feedback about this one ?
So nice, the native landscape screen lets you use AMD AFMF, and the much improved 2.0 version will be launched. This is a game changer and improves the FPS in all games too much.
I have an ally but Debating buying the mini 2024 because of its portability and better IO - I travel a bit for work. My concern is the performance of the new mini vs the ally - would you say the new mini performs better?
I am very much looking forward to getting one of these
I wish GPD would make a GPD Win using the same screen as the Lenovo Legion Go, but with VRR.
No oculink 😢 so close to a perfect handheld. Really wish GPD would do a midrange handheld between this and the max
100% agreed. An 8 inch GPD clamshell with Oculink would be the god of all handhelds/ gaming laptops.
wish u showed the ssd temp. mine goes to 95c on load
What about temperatures with max TDP games during charging? Is it possible to keep in hands?
Oh, it's hot. I use a printed cooling grip and it's hot even on 12w TDP, I can barely touch the ABXY+DPAD area after 1-2 minutes of booting it, really not a pleasant experience for me. That being said, if you're playing shooters or games that don't require a lot of ABXY+DPAD, it's fine (hot on the bottom, but that's what the cooling grip is for). That being said, there's nothing quite like it in terms of Windows portability.
how do you fix crash issues on the 2023 version anyway
Would love to see how ChimerasOS works on this new device with Linux performance benchmarks.
Not a huge fan of the clamshell handheld, but this is definitely the best iteration of it
VRR is the only glaring thing I miss on the OLED Steamdeck.
Can’t say I notice it tbh
UGH... the gpdwinmini would be so perfect for my pocket/camera bag. I wish that my winmax2 wasn't a lemon and that GPD had fixed it when I sent it in. This seems like finally a replacement for my OG gpdwin that was in my camera bag/pocket for like 5 years.
I wish they just made the original GPD Win Max more compact. Full sized key keyboard, bigger screen than the Mini, but still portable.
@@thibaldus3 personally, I just want my gpdwinmax2 to work. I got is Nov 2022 for the IGG. They finally got it to stop BSOD over and over after a year. I sent it in (~$300 shipping) and it came back still BSOD. Then I sent the SSD and that stopped the BSOD. But now the USB disconnects if you look at the device, but it doesn't tell the OS. If I transfer files, the files will look identical size/date wise, but if you do a bitwise comparison, JPEGs are corrupt.
Yep, sometimes it's like that with GPD products. My maxed WinMax 2 is thankfully [mostly] fine. I am very tempted for WinMini, & I will eventually get 1, but because of the WinMax, I am not that in a hurry.
@@hihellokitty85 My OG GPDwin is perfect. I replaced the battery once. 16MP was fine, but the problem is that it takes an hour to back up 44MP pictures of just one band. I run scripts to back up the photos in between bands. the GPDwin3 was great, but I couldn't put it in my pocket while it was backing up photos. The gpdwinmax2 just never worked right and currently sits on my desk unused because I can't trust it. I really want the mini, but idk if I can do it with the problems I've had.
@@hihellokitty85 Yeah, something tells me the performance jump and energy efficiency increase for AMD chips next year is gonna be worth the wait.
I don't understand why GPD didn't give at least the Win 4 the updated panel treatment. Cool that Win Mini did though!
I don’t think they have a 6in version available. They pretty much got the Ally display. A 6in version would have to be custom made by a display manufacturer. 🤷🏽♂️
@@BarelyAverageDude You are so right! For some reason, I thought the Win 4 panel was the same size but I'm completely off. Thanks for the correction.
@@GameTechTalkimagine a 6in 120hz VRR OLED 🤩
@@BarelyAverageDude I was wondering why I felt warm tears rolling down my cheeks, it was the hope I experienced from your comment. I want this panel please 🙏
@@GameTechTalk Yup both of you are correct. I have not seen any panel manufacturer make a 6" 120Hz VRR landscape display yet.
It would be quite a financial hit for a panel manufacturer to make a lot of motherglass specifically for the 6-inch devices if there aren't many OEMs using them in their products. Smartphones would work but I don't think any of those smartphones need a landscape-oriented panel.
Naaah my gpd win mini 2023 is getting warm after 30mins to my hands and ssd when is writing is to hot. If they changed nothing in newer version then ill wait.
What’s the name of the game in the first few seconds of the vid? :)
Sad to see Oculink gone in favor of an obsolete port. USB-C is the future and newer devices will have to use USB-C at some point. I read some arguments about “loose” ports of USB-C and that’s a flat out lie and this is coming from someone who owns a LOT of USB Hubs. Unless, you buy the cheapest USB-C cable(that same argument also goes for USB-A. Cheap ones break within less than a year) USB-C cables are just as durable.
*Edit speaking of USB Hubs, another argument I saw was the use of legacy devices and again, WHY? It’s only one port and if you have multiple devices that uses that same port, makes it more inconvenient. USB dock/Hub capability? There are USB-C docks and Hubs available. I’m more upset that GPD catered to a more of a niche audience than Oculink ESPECIALLY since they were the ones who tried to make Oculink more mainstream.
Most of the 3rd party peripherals use USB-A, not to mention flush thumb drives which are quick and easy extra storage. I have the 2023 Mini version and the 2024 GPD Win 4 version, and both have this Oculink port which is completely and utterly useless to me, so I got F-ed because GPD listened to people like you...
@@megaloth1955 and they need to continue to listen because USB-A is a useless and redundant port that is succeeded by USB-C. USB-A is useless to me because I have USB-C cables, devices and dongles. Also, most 3rd party peripherals are moving to USB-C especially for handhelds(Thanks STEAM DECK). Oculink ACTUALLY has a purpose due to being able to bring a Nintendo Switch Style of Hybrid console portability and you can use your GPU as well as not being limited to certain GPUs due to bandwidth(USB 4/ Thunderbolt 3/4)
why would they place the buttons and analogues like that wtf!
Does the GPD WIN Mini run Mineceaft Jave edition? My GPD WIN 2 refuses to install Java and run minecraft.
is this better than steam deck oled ?
gpd is still one of the best handheld pc manufacturer out there
If you have a Win 4 6800u, is the Win Mini a worthy upgrade?
Nope. Not at all. I have both, and the Win 4 is better in almost every way. The only thing the Win MIni is better at is portability - you close the lid and stick it in your pocket (not a Jeans pocket, but cargo pants will do nicely.) It's really awesome in that regard, great for commute and such. But for actually playing games, the Win 4 is the considerably better option, in my opinion.
@@megaloth1955- can you elaborate?
I love your ridiculous video thumbnails
Qualcomm will need at least 5 years for software and games to be optimized for the Snapdragon X Elite series. 5 years from now I hope there will be Linux or Windows Handheld Gaming powered by Snapdragon X Elite Series.
I want it SO BAD but Im so so sad they got rid of occulink. It was everything i was looking for. VRR. why why why did they get rid of occulink :(
People not letting go of old devices that are using obsolete USB-A
@@DoubleDragon5180 I ended up getting it anyway. The usb 4 and my onexplayer gpu is fine for the devices screen when I want a little bedside boost in graphics. Hopefully the next iteration they do away with this nonsense…maybe by then we have usb 5
I've had my eye on this for a while, but I have to wait until Fridays payday to put the money down...
It's really worth it. I have had my 2023 version for a while and I can say it completely replaces all the usage of any laptop, any other handheld you might have. Even my smartphone I've been using way less, just for basic stuff. I've transfered all my gaming/work away from home to my mini and I have been having a great time with it.
@@darkcss1054 If this beautifully done video doesn't cause the campaign to sell out, I'll grab one. I really want it!
Do you think it is worth it if I already have an Ally Z1E - I do travel a bit for work so think it may be worth the addition but looking for thoughts- it seems like a good all around device.
@@Rob7911 I can give you a more appropriate answer personally when i get my hands on it. My unit should be here within the next couple of days
@@Rob7911 If you can sell your Ally or give it away to a loved one and you have the money for a Win Mini I'd say it's a no brainer, really.
It is the combination of best all around device and the smallest form factor ever made for a high performance computer. And the battery lasts an eternity when not gaming at high TDP. Everytime I use it, it's so good it feels like alien technology, really. It's unbelievable.
If the oculink matters to you get a 2023 version. I am docking my 2023 Mini with an RX 7800 XT while at home and 4k gaming works flawlessly on it for all current gen triple A games.
If, on the other hand, oculink doesn't matter to you, just go with the 2024 version, you'll have a nice native usb-A port.
What size m.2 did this have?
2230.
20 64gb option is because the previous 64gb didnt sell well enough to make it worth it for them. Almost nobody Ive spoken to in the community got 64gb besides me.
What's the game at 26:46?
Uncharted 4 Lost Legacy
This or the minisforum v 3 tablet hmmmm
Tbh, getting rid of Oculink and replacing with USB A is a big upgrade for me too. Oculink is ironically too future proofed and reduces current functionality
Whats up with the occulink hate?
screw thunderbolt 4.0 bottlenecks.
yeah, but the 88x0u processors have that creepy ai tech that nobody asked for and they didn't give us an option to get the new chips without it.. ugg, hate that we have to tolerate that bs to get the vrr screen...
Yeah, miss the Oculink, such an awesome design otherwise