GPD Win Max 2 Review: A Surprisingly Competent Tiny Laptop That Doubles as a Gaming Handheld
The GPD Win Max 2 is like one of those thick Swiss Army knives – every tool you need, but half are awkward to hold. For decades, computing nerds have pined for a "cyberdeck" – the ultimate in personal, portable PCs for surfing and hacking the world. Usually, they're DIY affairs. But the 10-inch GPD Win Max 2 is the closest I've seen to an off-the-shelf cyberdeck worth buying.
It's far from the best laptop or gaming handheld out there, but it's a unique device that excels in certain areas. As a laptop, it's intriguing until you bump into ugly shortcomings. But as a gaming machine, it's uniquely compelling – and that's where it really shines.
A Gaming Handheld with a Twist
The Win Max 2 is essentially two devices in one: a laptop that can detach to become a handheld gaming console. The process is seamless, with the device switching from keyboard mode to handheld mode with minimal effort. You can play games like Balatro, Armored Core 6, and even external graphics card games on this thing – it's genuinely impressive.
But what really sets the Win Max 2 apart is its ability to plug an RTX 5090 external graphics card dock into its Oculink port. This means you can play demanding games at high resolutions without having to worry about battery life or heat generation.
A Laptop with a Few Shortcomings
As a laptop, the Win Max 2 has some issues. The webcam is one of the worst I've ever used – it's low-resolution and angles so poorly that typing appears as giant spider fingers invading your conference call. And the touchpad? It's tiny, awkwardly placed, and terrible at click-and-drag.
The battery life isn't great either, lasting around 5-6 hours of work time. And while it does have plenty of ports for peripherals, you won't find anything like Ethernet or serial jacks.
A Cyberdeck Worth Considering (With Some Caveats)
So, what makes the GPD Win Max 2 worth considering? For one, its unique blend of laptop and handheld capabilities is unmatched. Add to that its ability to plug an external graphics card dock, and you have a device that can deliver some truly impressive gaming performance.
But if you're looking for a device that checks all the boxes – reliable webcam, decent battery life, and all the ports you need – then the Win Max 2 might not be the best choice. With some design tweaks, GPD could make this device a wholeheartedly recommended tiny computer.
Benchmarks and Performance
The $1,100 AMD 8840U and 32GB model I tested didn't always outperform the $800 Asus ROG Ally X in games. While it seemed to have a performance advantage at 15W, battery life was still meh – with the Ally X lasting nearly three hours compared to the Win Max 2's five hours and 22 minutes.
However, you can play flat on a tray table like I did on my flights, thanks to the joysticks and buttons being still accessible. And with an RTX 5090 external graphics card dock, this thing is capable of delivering some truly impressive gaming performance – just be aware that Oculink products aren't made to be hot-swapped.
Conclusion
The GPD Win Max 2 is a unique device that excels in certain areas. While it's not perfect, and has some significant shortcomings, it's a must-see for anyone looking for a cyberdeck or gaming handheld with some serious capabilities.
With some design tweaks – namely better battery life, a more reliable webcam, and vibration dampening – GPD might have a tiny computer on its hands that I can wholeheartedly recommend. But as it stands, the Win Max 2 is a device worth considering for those looking for something truly unique.
Rating: 7/10
The GPD Win Max 2 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a cyberdeck or gaming handheld with some serious capabilities. While it's not perfect, its unique blend of laptop and handheld capabilities makes it a must-see – even if it does have some significant shortcomings.