GPD-Win Gaming UMPC

Figured we'd get a dedicated thread for this!
Recently they managed to fund it on Indiegogo, https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-laptop-fitting-in-your-pocket--2/x/13509654#/ and includes a x5-8550, 4GB RAM, 64GB Memory, Win 10, 5.5" Touchscreen with physical keyboard and game controls.

 

Thanks for starting this thread @Templesa! I posted there about dual channel RAM as well. Didn't think much about the keyboard shifted to left, until I saw it noted in the comments at the site, but if you plan on doing any amount of typing it may be a slight concern.

I really would like to see the micro USB changed to USB C 3.1 though. Makes so much more sense to me. But at least they're keeping traditional USB A 3.0.

EDIT: The description indicates dual channel RAM:

@ryzeki - I was thinking that too. But it's basically a full fledged Windows laptop in your pocket. Any other laptops like this cost at least $300 and have nothing special about them, and none carry a decent CPU like the Z8550 does. Granted it would be nice for Z8750, but not going to happen up front at least.

I see this as a mini streamer gaming machine or older games. I was able to game on my Asus T100TA with the much older and weaker Z3775 like this Tomb Raider 2013 video shows. Also planning on using it for old 80's MAME arcade game classics like Joust, Tron, Galaga, etc.

I really would like to see this get some major upgrades in a "PRO" version though, something like:

Atom x8750 (maybe add some small amount of fast vRAM, possibly GDDR5)
8GB dual channel DDR3 1600
42mm M.2 SSD slot or decent 256GB built-in SSD

I don't think you'll get a dedicated GPU in this small of a chassis, unfortunately but anything better than Intel integrated would be good. I think this machine would be a perfect fit for an AMD 5-7W CPU with decent Radeon integrated GPU.

Through BIOS or maybe if Intel XTU is supported it may be possible to overclock the iGPU a bit. I've done it successfully on other laptops and desktops. Gain 10-15% maybe, but that's a free 10-15%!

 

It is definitely a good machine. I love it's hardware way more than most cheapo laptops/tablet/portable devices. Hell, It's better than my nexus 9 tablet. The intel GPUs are alright for what they do. I don't mind them

 

Right. I agree. Not really a true PC gaming machine. But if you think of it, it probably has more power than a 3DS or other handheld game machine. Granted the games for Windows are designed for ten times the performance, but usually most games are scalable and can even run at 800x450 if needed, which I did with my Transformer T100TA, to get decent frame rates. On a 5.5" screen it will probably not look so bad.

 

I actually really like this idea. This is something I could get behind, if they could get some dual channel RAM in there, and maybe an 8GB model.

 

I'm behind the project... But the name... Not so much...

 

I agree. Could use a better marketing name. GPD-WIN does sound too... techy and yeah kinda like a virus. They should hold a contest for naming it and give the winner a free, erm, GPD-WIN.

 

HT, Kendy replied to me directly and stated in the comments that yes, the memory is dual channel. (I know it was in the slide, but they were full of weird translation errors, so it's nice to get confirmation!)

 

GDP is now double the initial funding goal, hopefully this means the date will move up. It probably won't but I can dream

 

Yeah I'm tempted to go and order two more. Just nervous about putting up $900 with no guarantee of delivery or even money back.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

 

The Victor guy is starting to bother me. He's trying to cause panic over a keyboard that the vast majority of users will never notice.
GPD pre-sold over 700 of these, and while here and there I saw some "Change the keyboard" or "Layout could be a bit better" there was very little problem with it from the majority of buyers.
This is the kind of stuff that can kill crowdfunded projects. People are starting to get thumb cramps without even using the product first, I guess.

 

Yeah I made a comment too. He keeps spamming the comments about it. It can't hurt, but I don't think the layout is that awful. Just take your smartphone, turn it sideways and I don't see an issue. So your right thrumb stretches another 20mm than the other, big deal. It's not like I'll be writing novels on this thing.

I think the bigger issue is the placement of the L3/R3 buttons which I agree, needs to move to a more independent location. I'd rather see that well before a new keyboard layout.

 

Adding some of the newer images for those that may not be following the project actively!

 

Well, with over a half million dollars pledged, we've come to the end. Now we just sit around and wait for our devices. (Hopefully since Intel killed off Atom there will still be chips to complete these orders- or we get a free m3 upgrade )
@HTWingNut

 

Bit of a kick in the balls for those who backed it for $330 / £239 as DinoDirect are doing it for the same price with a 10% coupon (type "7YEARS" at checkout) making it $297 / £215 with free shipping:

http://www.dinodirect.com/gpd-win-5...gamepad-gorilla-glass-1280-720-p42275491.html

 

I thought the $499 MSRP asking price was a little steep. It may retail for $399 for a while. But eventually will likely be able to find it regularly for $300-$350. I got one for $299, but this is a great deal for someone that wants to get one. May just have to wait an extra month or so later than those that backed directly to Indiegogo.

 

According to the DinoDirect rep they are expecting the first batch from GPD next month, hopefully GPD don't screw up here and supply to resellers before private backers as that's pretty much poison for customer relations.

DinoDirect aren't the most reputable Chinese reseller so you're probably better off dealing with GPD directly tbh, they were great when I had an issue with my first XD.

 

Eh, GPD indicated it will be about two to three months before final product ships: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gpd-win-intel-z8550-win-10-os-game-console#/updates

Dated today July 4, 2016
" As the final prototype was completed a few days ago.We estimate that only two or three months later, we can arrange the delivery for you all."

So they better not ship to resellers first. They asked for reviewers, I just haven't taken the time to send them my resume. Maybe I should. Hopefully I get an early unit. I plan on a full review of my final product anyhow.

 

Apparently, they've now added a x7-8700 (8750).
Considering the trouble they had sourcing a 8550, I'm not sure why they thought they'd jump up now- and with possible thermal issues already?? This project is interesting... and the PGS project seems like a bad investment, but I really like the idea of my Android phone doubling as a competent Windows gaming device...

 

Yeah. The problem with these low TDP chips is even though they are low wattage, it is high density, so all the heat is focused in a very small spot that you really need to evacuate that heat quickly. You almost need liquid cooling.

 

Hey @HTWingNut Did you submit / get picked to do one of the reviews?

 

I didn't submit. I just don't have time at the moment.

 

@HTWingNut Fair enough- I appreciate what you do with reviews and your effort for the community as is- it just seemed like a logical thing and I know you had previously been interested.

 

So the newest news from GPD is that (GPD hilariously auto corrects to God on a phone btw) is that there's some sort of external fan accessory. I'd gladly pay 50 dollars more for a slightly thicker but integrated fan solution for this product. There's no pictures of the 'external' fan and I'm hoping it's a bottom case with a tiny fan in it. That'd be awesome, but I wonder what external actually means as sometimes their translation isn't the best. I also wonder about price and what were getting. Maybe someone who isn't me who has a 3d printer can work some magic now that I know that base cover comes off fairly easily or I'll give it a go myself... Problem there would be power. In any case, good to see GPD hard at work here. Maybe that z8700 will be fully usable after all!

 

Yes! They are including a small internal fan and a larger battery! This is magnificent news! This device should really be able to get the full performance out of the z8700 now! At least I hope!

 

An actual (second gen?) SmachZ running:
[Video in German]
A picture of the GPD-Win, Pyra, and SmachZ together:

 

The fan prototype version appears to be keeping this pretty cool, and it doesn't appear to be throttling 51 minutes in. ~85 degrees CPU ~60 degrees GPU? Sounds pretty good for something this small!
I'm hopeful that the internal GPU fixes in the 8750 help with framerates too. I'm not too hopeful because I know they probably won't be a big deal, but it's nice to dream.
We should have these units in our hands soon enough!

 

Apparently the mouse emulation and control pad selection on this are set to a physical USB switch, so the dpad is physically switched off when using mouse emulation. This is a deal breaker for me as it rules out mapping WASD to the dpad and having mouse aiming for older games which don't support xinput. I'm not a fan of xpadder, joy2key etc.

Seems like a silly omission, has it been mentioned on the Indiegogo at all? Didn't back this one and haven't been following it too closely.

 

Dear lord that crying and beat up (???) child is an awful broken image link. LOL.

 

Please check out https://community.zteusa.com/ideas/1676 (An idea I submitted) which has moved on to the voting phase. Registering and voting for the product would be great- we have a chance to get a high end gaming smartphone going!

 

So would this be an Android device?

 

I believe ZTE Said they were open to Windows (not sure if that means gimped Windows or what) in another product thread, but my guess would be they'd use Android for sheer ease of use and low cost.

 

Ah. IMHO there don't seem to be too many Android games out there that would warrant a game type layout. But maybe I'm just not "in the know" on these things.

 

I backed the Smach Z earlier today, which just went back to Kickstarter and already has half of it's goal. Hopefully this time it gets produced.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smachteam/smach-z-the-handheld-gaming-pc
I am also following a lead on a Snail W3D that seems to have been silently released to some partners... We'll see how that turns out.
Not a bad time for alternative gaming right now.

 

Also, the final GPD Update has been announced- backers will soon get their Z8700 GPD Wins!

 

That SMACH Z looks like the way to go actually. Decent CPU and GPU, RAM, storage. Better than the Atom. Although I'm curious how well they can actually cool that thing. The GPD-WIN with the 5W Atom they had to add active cooling to it. I can't imagine 15W in a handheld and what it would take to cool it.

The Surface Pro 4 i5/i7 chips are 15W and they can get quite toasty in a much bigger enclosure.

Yep, I got that update. I have one on order.

 

I just got a ''shipped'' notification for my GPD Win from geekbuying. It was tough to resist buying the GPD XD and wait for the Windows version instead but now finally it is within my grasp.

 

Happy for you, but myself and many other early backers aren't the happiest because ours haven't even shipped yet and they're sending to distributors.

 

I thought the early backers that helped get the thing actually funded would be the first to get anything. That's how it usually is with kickstarter. Is there a reason / did they say why this happened?

 

Nope. No explanation. They shipped out about 80 or so, so far, but I guess shipping to Asia first for some reason. I was one of first 40 backers/ orders and still no sign of it being shipped.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

 

lol looks like the original switchblade mockup

 

Tick, tick, tick. Still waiting on GPD for shipping notification, despite a stated date of 10/20.

 

I'll admit I'm jealous of "The Phawx" on YouTube for both the Z8700 and Z8750 models. I'm excited for this.

 

Benchmarks show the Z8700 performing better than the Z8750.

 

I've been in discussion with this guy a bit. He disassembled his 8750 and found that they had a thermal barrier between the CPU and the heatsink. Other 8750 users were showing it performing better and didn't have the thermal barrier. See this video:

 

Great news maybe?
I just got a text message from DHL stating I'll need to be home to sign for a package from China delivery on the 2nd of November.
Unfortunately I don't recognize the company it was sent from, nor can I validate it's even from GPD.
I did order some other small things from ebay / China recently so I'm trying not to get my hopes up but they were all sub ~10 dollar items and nothing I should need to sign for.
Anyone else get the shipping text?

 

I received a package today and had no idea what it was. I did not expect it to be the GPD Win but it was! The first thing I notice that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere is a fan speed control slider on the back from low, medium to high. Build quality is very good, it has a bit of weight to it and feels solid. Of course I have no time to test it yet due to going to work soon but I will test it later.

Ive just noticed that it shipped with a screen protector! and earphones.

Edit: My order was from Geekbuying.

I just noticed that devices that are 5'' that have Windows 10 can get a free copy of Microsoft Office. Did anyone else know this?

 

Sweet. That's great- except a little disappointing that I backed first on IGG and receive last from the looks of it. Good to know that it will get here sooner or later though!

 

Still no word for me either, from Geekbuying or IGG.

 

For anyone looking for some extra storage, the 'Samsung 256 GB EVO Plus Micro SDXC UHS-I Grade 1 Class 10 Memory Card' has been reported as working and I can confirm success too.