GPD WIN Mini 2024 Handheld Game Console, 7″ Touchscreen Gaming PC Mini Laptop Gamepad UMPC Win11 [AMD Ryzen 7 8840U 32GB RAM/2TB M.2 NVMe SSD]

The GPD Win Mini is an excellent gaming handheld that works surprisingly well with Linux (CachyOS Handheld edition). Linux gaming performance and UX is way better than Windows, so I’d highly recommend loading Linux once you get this device (CachyOS if you care about performance, or Bazzite if you’re new to Linux and just want a Steam Deck-like experience). With Linux, you also get a Steam Deck-like instant suspend/resume support, and the performance is phenomenal if you use CachyOS’s znver4 optimisations.The overall form factor isn’t very ergonomic to be honest, but in my case it works well because I use the Win Mini mostly when I’m lying in my bed or on the couch, and I have it propped up on my chest using the bottom half, and the screen is at just the perfect height. I haven’t attached any grips to mine, because I like the portability and pocketability without them.The full-fledged physical keyboard comes in handy for many games such as Age of Empires, or games with less-than-ideal controller support like Last Epoch, or when you’re messing around the OS and you need a proper keyboard.The 144Hz screen is gorgeous (same panel as the ROG Ally), and the VRR is nice too. The VRR only kicks in from 44Hz, but you can increase this range using CRU, export the EDID file and use a kernel parameter to load it at boot (if you’re on Linux).So far, I’ve played Forza Horizon 5, Last Epoch, GTA V, Skyrim and Diablo IV, and it’s handled every single one of them at 60+ FPS, without any issues on Linux. The controller is detected as an Xbox 360 controller, so it works natively in most games even without Steam Input.My only complaint with the GPD Win Mini is that the fan is a bit noisy and makes a high-pitched, almost whistling kinda noise (maybe because it’s forcefully pumping air thru those tiny vents), but you could ignore this if you’re listening to game audio from the speakers, or you’ve got your headphones on. This is one area that GPD could improve in the next model. Oh, and upgradable LPCAMM2 memory would be nice to have too!Overall, I’d highly recommend this over other handhelds because of the keyboard, performance and excellent Linux compatibility.