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The 'GPD Win 2' could be an interesting device for Linux gaming on the go

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For those of you interested in small portable devices that work with Linux, you might be interested in the GPD Win 2.

I will start off by noting that the GPD Win 2 is currently designed for Windows. So you're probably wondering why I'm even writing about it! Well—it can also run Linux. It is essentially a tiny laptop, with gamepad-like buttons included.

YouTuber 'The Phawx' managed to test a unit running Xubuntu and it does look rather promising:

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Some specs:

  • 6 inch, 1280×720 touch display
  • Intel Core™ m3-7Y30 (Kaby Lake) processor, 1.00 Ghz base and 2.60 Ghz turbo
  • lntel HD Graphics 615
  • 8GB RAM
  • M.2 SSD 128GB replacable drive
  • 1 x USB Type A 3.0, 1 x USB Type C 3.0, Micro HDMI, 3.5mm Headset & Microphones
  • 2×4900mAh, In Series battery power

For anyone interested, it's currently crowdfunding on IndieGoGo where it has destroyed the initial $100K goal. It's currently well over $800K funded and I imagine it will continue climbing for a while with 2 months left on the campaign. It's not cheap though, with it being $649 from the IndieGoGo which is $250 off the price it will be at retail. For that price, you can get a pretty decent laptop in the UK, but the price is of course due to the cost involved in making such a small unit and you can't fit a laptop in your pocket…

As a fan of the Nintendo Switch, I can certainly see the appeal of such devices. Might be fun for those of you with some disposable income as a fun device to carry around once you pop Linux on it.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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About the author -
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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28 comments
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WJMazepas Jan 16, 2018
Quoting: Hugormwow it look a lot like Pyra/Pandora https://pyra-handheld.com whis is linux

Is the Pyra ever gonna launch? Been more than a year that i saw their product being in pre order and nothing happen
chimpy Jan 16, 2018
There's also the 10 inch Chuwi tablet. It's got similar specs as the previous GPD, but cost like 190$.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/chuwi-hi10-windows-tablet-1315022/review

I think it also comes with Android, but not sure.
Tiedemann Jan 16, 2018
Quoting: chimpyThere's also the 10 inch Chuwi tablet. It's got similar specs as the previous GPD, but cost like 190$.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/chuwi-hi10-windows-tablet-1315022/review

I think it also comes with Android, but not sure.

I'd wait for a sale on Teclast X3 Plus instead. I had everything working pretty good out of the box on that, though you need to config the touch screen in the usual not so user friendly way. I added another WiFi driver from AUR that worked better.
I am not saying it works as well as having a laptop but I guess it all depends on the use. It's also around 6 months ago I tried stuff out on it so I guess things have gotten better since then.

I had a Chuwi Hi10 but there was too much fiddling to get things to work on it. It was a year a go I think so don't remember much anymore (I don't have it anymore either) but the whole experience was a lot better with the X3.


Don't mean to sound like I know everything about this, I just want ppl to spend some quality time with Google to make sure they really know what works and not, especially out of the box and/or with easily available drivers.
chimpy Jan 17, 2018
Quoting: Tiedemann
Quoting: chimpyThere's also the 10 inch Chuwi tablet. It's got similar specs as the previous GPD, but cost like 190$.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/chuwi-hi10-windows-tablet-1315022/review

I think it also comes with Android, but not sure.

I'd wait for a sale on Teclast X3 Plus instead. I had everything working pretty good out of the box on that, though you need to config the touch screen in the usual not so user friendly way. I added another WiFi driver from AUR that worked better.
I am not saying it works as well as having a laptop but I guess it all depends on the use. It's also around 6 months ago I tried stuff out on it so I guess things have gotten better since then.

I had a Chuwi Hi10 but there was too much fiddling to get things to work on it. It was a year a go I think so don't remember much anymore (I don't have it anymore either) but the whole experience was a lot better with the X3.


Don't mean to sound like I know everything about this, I just want ppl to spend some quality time with Google to make sure they really know what works and not, especially out of the box and/or with easily available drivers.


There's more and more Chinese tablets/laptops coming out and it's always good to see peoples experience with them on Linux whether they work well or not :)
Ardje Jan 18, 2018
Quoting: NotSoQT
Quoting: tuubi
Quoting: Hugormwow it look a lot like Pyra/Pandora https://pyra-handheld.com whis is linux
The Pyra has an ARM CPU. This one is x86_64. Makes a big difference for compatibility.
But if I understand the Pyra will be modular and the next thing to be pursued after the release should be a x86_64 board as option.
You can't say x86_64 without a lot of fans...
The pyra has none... because arm cpu's can do more with less power.
tuubi Jan 18, 2018
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Quoting: Ardje
Quoting: NotSoQT
Quoting: tuubi
Quoting: Hugormwow it look a lot like Pyra/Pandora https://pyra-handheld.com whis is linux
The Pyra has an ARM CPU. This one is x86_64. Makes a big difference for compatibility.
But if I understand the Pyra will be modular and the next thing to be pursued after the release should be a x86_64 board as option.
You can't say x86_64 without a lot of fans...
The pyra has none... because arm cpu's can do more with less power.
That's beside the point. It's still a different architecture, which means software and games need to be rebuilt/ported (or emulated).
Ardje Jan 18, 2018
Quoting: SeegrasI've got a GPD Pocket http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/02/gpd-pocket-ubuntu-7-inch-laptop-indiegogo It's out, it has a better resolution and is apparently cheaper. It doesn't have the game-controller-keyboard, though, but I'm not a game-controller-user anyway.
The GPD pocket is the netbook version of the gpd WIN. It just has a real keyboard more screen estate 7" vs 5.5", more RAM (8 vs 4) and a bigger eMMC, but the remainder is the same.
Now I want to see the GPD pocket with WIN2 specs.
For gaming there is a tablet hook on game controller, turning it into a 7" portable gaming console.
But since the pocket still sports a classic ATOM and the WIN2 has a decent SoC (atoms are not produced anymore, luckily), it's only normal it's more expensive.
But price wise, the GPD win now goes for $350 or so...
In my case I am only glad they do not use eMMC anymore, that means I can set the BIOS to just ignore eMMC and let linux sort it out.
On the GPD WIN/Pocket, I have to set it to something specific, else it won't be able to boot.
Using that specific, linux is not able to set the right parameters on the uSD slot (which is just another eMMC lane), and that makes the speed of it terrible slow.
So yeah, GPD WIN2 is a WIN overal, a POCKET2 would be a double win.
But in the end they are just intel platforms, and as such, my galaxy Note 8 still runs around it without breaking a sweat. I really have to look into qemu and native vulkan forwarding... Maybe I can run the Talos principle 8-D.
natis1 Jan 19, 2018
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With an HD 615 this thing isn't even going to be able to run rocket league and other low-end titles on low settings. For its price I would have expected Intel iris, an APU, or a low-end mobile Nvidia GPU like the mx150.
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