Two names are often mentioned in the portable console PC market: the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally. However, a new player is emerging from the shadows: GPD. A specialist who wants to benefit from this new trend.
GPD Win 4 // Source: GPD
Given the dominance of the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally, a new contender is entering the portable PC console arena. The Chinese player GPD, a specialist in this type of machines, recently announced an update of its flagship console GPD Win 4. On the menu: a new AMD Zen 4 processor and a sliding screen that reveals a hidden keyboard.
A more powerful architecture
The great novelty of this 2023 edition of the GPD Win 4 is undoubtedly the arrival of an AMD Ryzen 7000 processor. More specifically, users can choose between the Ryzen 5 7640U and the Ryzen 7 7840U. Both SoCs use AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, which is far more efficient than its predecessors and is manufactured by TSMC using the 4 nm manufacturing process.
GPD Win 4 // Source: GPD
The Ryzen 5 7650U is equipped with six cores and 12 threads, with a maximum power of 30 watts. For its part, the Ryzen 7 7840U has eight cores and 16 threads and thus offers more performance. The other notable difference concerns the integrated GPU, a key element for a gaming console. The Ryzen 5’s Radeon 760M is less powerful at just eight compute units, compared to twelve on the Ryzen 7’s Radeon 780M.
Significant expansion possibilities
Each GPD Win 4 can be equipped with 16 GB RAM and an M.2 2280 SSD. The Ryzen 5 model is limited to 512GB of storage, while the Ryzen 7 version can accommodate 2 and 4TB as an option. Users can also opt for 32 or 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM.
GPD Win 4 // Source: GPD
The GPD Win 4 retains the usual controls: two joysticks, a directional pad, four action buttons, four shoulder triggers and built-in vibration motors. A 4G module is also integrated in the device. A special feature is the QWERTZ keyboard hidden under the screen.
GPD Win 4 // Source: GPD
The 6-inch IPS LCD screen is a bit smaller than the competition, but offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 60 Hz, which is said to ensure good picture quality.
A price to look at
In case the price of the GPD Win 4 has not yet been announced, remember that the previous model was marketed at 1,300 euros. It is therefore unlikely that this new version will be significantly more affordable.
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