Review: GPD MicroPC

The reign of Windows CE may be long-since over, but that doesn't mean that there aren't pretenders lurking in the shadows waiting to steal the Handheld PC's crown. The GPD MicroPC is a curiously designed, if not down right quirky full Intel x64 contender for a 2019 sub-netbook device. Boasting Windows 10 and Linux XUbuntu in a dual boot configuration, for maximum support and user flexibility. GPD are hoping to capture the interests of a number of H/PC-like markets through this more conventional product release that its previous gaming focused GPD XD or GPD WIN 2.

Join Jake Fisher in his first review here on hpcfactor.com as he unboxes the MicroPC and asks the question of "What is to be done?" for a Handheld PC user in this world of x86 pretenders.

Read the review and have your say here on the Forums.

View: The GPD MicroPC Review, or "What Is to Be Done?"



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What were they thinking with that touchpad placement? You have to reach over all the keys to access it even if right-handed, so no rest for the wrist. (I'm right-handed, and just had carpal tunnel surgery on that hand back in December.) Even that silly little nub in the middle of the keyboard on old IBM devices made more sense.

It was an interesting commitment to be sure, though given the machine's tiny size, you'd get the same amount of room for wrist rest regardless of pointing device position. If you're suffering from carpal, I would think a touch screen would be the aggravation on a MicroPC's small screen; that would be the true reach. Perhaps less so, with some kind of stylus...

It's a machine that has its challenges, but if you're right-handed, I don't think the trackpad is one of them. I have a nub on the Pocket 1, whose travel time is much more than the MicroPC's pad. THAT'LL work your wrist.

Jake

Looking at StartIsBack alongside that background with the calendar, all I could think was that it looked a lot like SQ. Back to the future, I guess.

I have almost everything key-stroked, so the desktop is bare save for rainlendar calendar.

I prefer Classic Shell Start menu, which, despite its cessation of development, still runs nicely on Windows 10 1903. But CS's nonadjustable fonts are too small on the 6" screen.

Jake

Thanks for review.

Have following comments:

- GPD is not a fledgling company....has released quite a few mini portable computing devices. I've had several (GPD WIN & Pocket) and all were of high quality.

Consumer oriented devices include:

- GPD WIN - tiny laptop with gaming controls - 2 versions have been released

- GPD Pocket - 7" display laptop - 2 versions released

- GPD Max - 8.x" display laptop - new model


- Was able to dual boot Win 10 and Linux


- The GPD MicroPC reviewed was meant for network admin's, not regular consumer market. Although device can be bought by all, the design was aimed at a specific niche market and designed accordingly.


Meanwhile, there are several other companies that have released similar small laptops in the past year or so, including:

One Netbook

These are similar to GPD Pocket, however have a special hinge allowing you to flip back display to make device like a tablet.

Very high quality, have 2 of them now and a 3S on the way.....all have 7" touchscreen display, unless noted otherwise. Main difference besides screen size is CPU, RAM, SSD size.

- One Mix Yoga

- One Mix Yoga 1S

- One Mix Yoga 2

- One Mix Yoga 2S

- One Mix Yoga 3 - 8.4" display

- One Mix Yoga 3S - - 8.4" display


In addition, CHUWI, another Chinese company has now released a device similar to the above, but with a bit lower specs and thus lower price.

And in the could fit in a shirt or pants pocket category, there's Planet Computer's Gemini PDA (can boot Android, Debian, & Sailfish OS) and there soon to be released Cosmo Communicator.

Cosmo is similar to Gemini, but designed to also be a phone with a small display on outside of case, and backlit keyboard. Can use Gemini as a phone too, but design is not quite as tailored for it.

HTH,

Mark








Edited by ArchiMark 2019-08-05 9:46 PM

Hi...i recently bought the one. Nice to see that GPD keeps developing and releasing new UMPCs. I guess the major selling point of the MicroPC will be its price. I wonder how it compares with the Pocket 2, size wise it seems to be on par, although it is probably more thick.

Hi and welcome.

I own a Pocket 1, which is also a 7" UMPC, and probably similar to P2 in size. If so, you're correct that the 6" MPC is thicker, but the P2 is 1 1/4" longer, and both devices are close in same width.

Jake

This is quite the unique device.. but I kind of like it.