I have been wanting this little machine for quite a while, it is not I don’t like my Win 4, but you know I just want something new and better. This is now my 4th or 5th I should say GPD device. Maybe, they have a bad marketing strategy, but they always have the best Windows handheld. Well, better than the other ones. In 2024, there are strong competitors like AYA, Steam Deck, OneXPlayer, ROG, MSI and Lenovo. Why GPD, a brand from ’nowhere'?
In fact, GPD has been in this handheld market for quite a long time. They have more experience in making this kind of machine even better than all those larger brands. Many times, the design may seem amazing on paper, but when you use it daily, it is just not the way you can imagine. Before the Lossless Frame Generation, I have to admit Steam Deck was indeed the best. Even though the real 40 FPS experience was much smoother than 30 FPS, it is nowhere near the smoothness of a whopping 120 FPS, even though they are fake frames.
Ultimately, this is just personal preference. I am someone who can sacrifice everything for a longer playtime while having a smooth framerate. Frame Generation fixed handheld gaming for me. I can run at 30 FPS to generate double, triple or even quadruple frames. There are lots of issues with fake frames, like ghosting, and unstable images, but it is just too smooth. The delay is not noticeable because I mostly play using a controller. Don’t play FPS games with Frame Generation, it won’t work well.
OK, how is Win Mini? Well, it is toasty.
Let’s start with everything I don’t like about it. Many people have mentioned how hot it gets. This is true, but the Win Max 2 is also quite warn, not if I turn the fan to 65%. The Win Mini is the same, I have to turn the fan to 55% even with 7 W TDP to maintain a comfortable 45 degrees, otherwise, it will go over 50 degrees. Some may be fine with 50 degrees, but not me. Definitely, don’t want to burn my hands. With a case, it may help, but mine is still on the way.
The buttons and triggers may have some quality issues so far. My triggers have this strange noise when I am pressing, I never had this with Win Max, so next time, I may have to ask them if is this normal. The buttons can get hot because it is really on top of the CPU and SSD. The design could be better, but if you want this form factor, I don’t know how they can improve it, make it thicker with a better cooling system. I don’t know.
That’s probably all the issues. I am quite happy with the performance and battery life. So far, I am getting about 3 - 4 hours on average. On my Win Max 2, many games I have to run with at least 12 W to be stable. This tiny machine can do just 7 - 8 W, my Win 4 needs 8 - 10 W in general. The 780 M is indeed very powerful and the CPU is also very good. Most games I run at this weird 638P? resolution Low with high/medium textures, with a 30 FPS cap to use the frame generation to go to 60 FPS. It works well for me, but it is not for everyone.
Lastly, I want to share why I like the Win Max 2 and this Win Mini over the Win 4.
The Win 4 is great, but there is really one issue, you need a case for it. When you put it in your bag, thumbsticks, buttons everything gets smashed randomly. There are really no protections without a case. However, the Win Max 2 is fine as it is without anything else. This is the beauty of laptops, you just don’t need anything else.
Both Win Max 2 and Win Mini have an Xbox Controller built-in, no need to bring another controller with you. The Win Max can also act as a regular laptop on the go, so it is great for work, study and play with 1.5 TB storage and an Oculink port for external GPUs. This is really the laptop to go.
The Win Mini is like a 3DS and NDS Ultra MAX. I mean there is a reason why Nintendo pick that form factor. The Switch often needs a case also, and you can barely put it in your pocket. This Win Mini can still do that, it is really the only device to bring with you. No need for a case or anything, just the machine itself is enough.
The Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go all have the same issue, they are just too big, too heavy and need a case wherever you go. Where do you put the case when you game? This tiny thing makes the overall experience less smooth. By no means, they are bad, but they are just gaming machines, unlike the Win Max 2 which also acts as a laptop, or is as portable as the Win Mini.
In the end, the choice between those machines is quite personal. I like GPD machines, simply because they work well, and by the way, I never tried anything else besides the Steam Deck. The future of handheld gaming is promising, and I cannot wait to see what we will get next year. Happy gaming!