GPD Win Max 2 - A Mini Teardown and a Panel swap

[@ThePhawx]

Amazing work! Also your studio space is baller. Love your pfp being in the background!

[@GameTechTalk]

And the funny thing is it originally was meant for streaming, I created a bunch of animations for it ahahha! I might do something for YT in due time 😏. Tks Phawx, seeing your comment on a video of mine is honestly a "moment" for me. Cheers!

[@ahmedfadzil3744]

I wonder if we could swap the new VRR panel from Win Mini 2024 with the Win Mini 2023 panel. Since there isn't that much of a difference between the devices.

[@hugojmaia]

Thanks for the confidence boost in getting mine open. So, one detail that is absent is the 4G module. Your device doesn't have one. If the 4G module is present, there's a flat cable that has to be detached and fed through a slot, then later that cable has to be fed back through that slot in order to close the unit. Note, nothing was broken on mine, but the fan was getting caked in dust so it needed cleaning.

[@GameTechTalk]

Thanks for adding that extra info, this could help someone in the future. Thanks for the kind words too, cheers!

[@werewolfman007]

Man keep up the good work your still the only one who goes into depth with GPD stuff like screen repairs

[@GameTechTalk]

Happy to serve and will continue to do so! 😎

[@DannyWelch]

Thanks for sharing the screen swap. This was a great repair to watch.

[@GameTechTalk]

With great pleasure, hopefully this'll come in handy to other WM2 owners. Cheers!

[@tinnakornsai4404]

I guess I am not the only one having screen issues with device. Keep up the good work bro. will keep supporting you.

[@GameTechTalk]

I appreciate your kind words. I'm guessing GPD may have had access to a "fortune lot" for panels, you know, where you get a sizeable rebate for inventory that works but with slight imperfections? Because as you say, there were a few people who reported issues and my original panel and the replacement one are slightly different, the first one is flat flat flat, where as the second one has 2.5 curves on the edge. Cheers, thanks for engaging!

[@tappersreviews4677]

Well done and very informative video. Your channel keeps getting better and better. 🎉

[@GameTechTalk]

Thanks Tapper! Comments like that are very gratifying. It's things like that that make me do one more edit for sake of quality, even when I'm exhausted and dream of my bed! 😊

[@owieuychiat6420]

Wow!!! Can't believe it's easy to servixe the screen! Great Job! Looking forward to do the other service part of the laptop. Like keyboard, battery, and replacing thermal paste.

[@GameTechTalk]

I have to say, it turned out to be much easier than I thought too. The hard one I did was the original DS. Why? Because I wanted a freaking teal shell housing, undoing the hinge of this thing and treading the screen wire through it?? It was an Olympic challenge. When I get that TPM I'll do a part two to show a bit more in-depth, I don't know that I'll go deep enough for keyboard but I might since you mentioned it. Cheers! 😄

[@owieuychiat6420]

@@GameTechTalk Noice with Extra Sauce! :D Rocking my WM2 for work, breezy, everybody’s like. That’s your work laptop? Then I proceed to tell them whats under the hood. Daaaannnggg!! Love this mini machine. People aren’t going to be afraid to use this if they’d see how easy it is to repair :)

[@RemTilak]

That's some high quality right here. I really like your videos. Thanks for this one, and keep up the good work! :-)

[@GameTechTalk]

Thanks Rem! "One video at a time" I tell myself, I'm glad the extra effort is coming across! ☺

[@RemTilak]

@@GameTechTalk Totally underrated channel. You really deserve more subs.

[@GameTechTalk]

@@RemTilak As I'm just starting, I stay grounded and know that it's a question of time. Not to worry, I'm happy to take 2-3 years to build this channel to 6 digits (and then carry on for a bigger audience). Until then, I'm learning how to improve every day and I'm eternally grateful for people who see enough to sub, like you. Thanks, it means a lot! 🥰

[@kennyaube2892]

Haaa man those damn oral exams, I was doing nightmares about them !! Keep up the good work!

[@GameTechTalk]

😂 Thanks bud, much appreciated!

[@Rndde]

Good video! Thanks for sharing the repair procedure. I like that the small device is that serviceable and spare parts are available. I am thinking about replacing the keyboard with the QWERTZ (German) layout one. But I am afraid of completely disassemble the device. In case the LTE module is installed in the WM2, the antenna cable is connected from the LTE board to the back cover. But the tiny connector can easily be reached behind the "door".

[@mystechry]

There is no need to do that. If you are careful, you can clip out the keys one by one and replace them. Like on your regular laptop keyboard. It's way faster and easier. I know a guy who did exactly that for the German keyboard and he was done in no time

[@A5h3n.]

Ive had my gpd win max 2 since launch and came home to my battery bloated and bsod boot loop. Gonna take the battery off and order one. Hopefully it boots up cause this is super scary. . Total user error keeping it hooked up like a desktop.

[@GameTechTalk]

Interesting. I haven't heard that to be honest but if you do, maybe the play here is to leave the battery disconnected so that the power exclusively works on the motherboard, rather than cause charge/discharge cycles and potentially damaging the battery cells. This way you keep the battery off the side when you know you'll need to be portable. It's a bit of an extra hassle, but it sounds like it could be the better option for your "always hooked up" approach. If you can, keep me on the loop, I hope this is an easy fix for you. Cheers!

[@guardian7462]

Awesome video dude keep up the good work.

[@GameTechTalk]

Thanks a ton! Will do!

[@Jeremy_Huggins]

yes, PLEASE do a steamOS install. I am curious if things like TDP, fan curve adjustment, screen brightness/volume adjust etc all work. I would also love to see if the Gyro works in SteamOS and if the Decky Plugin works with plugins like CSS loader. I always wished GPD worked with valve for native support!

[@Jeremy_Huggins]

Also, your production quality is 10/10 - especially for a 1 man team!

[@GameTechTalk]

I'm happy to tell you that after finishing the edit of this video, I decided to check it out to see what kind of process we are talking about (to get SteamOS up and running), it's really streamlined. However, I haven't delved into plugins and whatnot at this moment. If what I've seen is any indication, the "SteamOS" that these companies claim to have is not the fully realized one that Valve has. So, the inner workings of the software is really different, I'll still spend the day to see what's possible, what's not and probably make a video out of it. At least a tutorial on how to get set up. Stay tuned for that and thanks for the kind words! Cheers 😊

[@Rndde]

I am looking forward to this! I also wanted to try out the Manjaro based image.

[@Jeremy_Huggins]

@@GameTechTalk Amazing, Looking forward to the video as well! Thanks a ton mate!

[@mbalbom]

Great job where did you get the parts for the GPD? thank you

[@GameTechTalk]

It was supplied by GPD through a warranty claim as my panel had a defect. Cheers! :)

[@TheMedievalNerd]

Not sure if this happens to you. But when I watch a video of people doing crazy mountain climbing or cliff jumping. I get sweaty hands. I got sweaty hands during the screen teardown. The suction cup portion, and the ribbon cables. I think I am too faint of heart to try that. Hopefully I wont need to. Was it a flat or 2.5D glass screen you got as a replacement?

[@GameTechTalk]

2.5D glass screen!! I didn't know I was producing cliffhanger action content! 😂 The truth is my hands never sweat. So I couldn't relate with that part in particular but I do get what you are seeing, me personally I clench. I grip onto whatever I'm holding or sitting on ahahah! Cheers :)

[@Jambassy]

Great video. You earned a new subscriber! Curious about what minimal tools I need to attempt my own repair. Currently travelling Australia and my Win max 2 has died. I want to try and repair on a shoestring budget, so my first step is to source a suitable screwdriver or repair kit with the correct sized bits! Any advice / recommendations?

[@GameTechTalk]

Sorry for the wait. Honestly, if one of those 100-in-1 toolkits on Amazon is an option, they are pretty affordable in my opinion and do a fantastic job at servicing any kind of devices, all the way up to things bigger such as game consoles and PCs.

[@Jambassy]

@@GameTechTalk no worries, ended up doing exactly that. My motherboard fried and the SSD failed... Not sure in what order, it's back in Hong Kong for repair. To tie me over I bought a 12 year old Alienware M11x.... living the dream 12 years out of sync!

[@davidfgranger]

Where did you get the replacement panel from?

[@GameTechTalk]

From GPD themselves after I reported (and provided proof) that mine was defective.

[@YelNatSttocS]

Nice video. What kind of 2230 SSD do you have that has 2TB. I can only see up to 1TB.

[@GameTechTalk]

WD SN740 2TB - I've only seen it in Asia, so being in Canada, I've bought it from AliExpress. It seems as though the manufacturer does not supply NA, EU, etc with that model. I may be off completely, just an observation when I purchased it a few weeks back.

[@YelNatSttocS]

@@GameTechTalk I found 2 TB gen4x4. This is will work on WIN MAX 2?

[@GameTechTalk]

@@YelNatSttocS www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004901239395.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.11211802E9slf4

[@YelNatSttocS]

@@GameTechTalk Thank you.

[@YelNatSttocS]

@@GameTechTalk Can you please create a tutorial how setup and use the built in gyroscope. Thanks

[@randyflores2933]

Nice man, hoping to see you replace the thermal paste with PTM7950

[@GameTechTalk]

Heard you loud and clear bud! Thanks for watching 😊

[@nicomilord]

I replaced mine and temps drastically reduced. Its not thermal throttling now at 35w

[@GameTechTalk]

@@nicomilord Oh really? Argh, I can't wait for it to arrive! Tks :)

[@nicomilord]

@@GameTechTalk Yep its a noticeable upgrade.

[@travisb5067]

Do you have a part number for the panel?

[@GameTechTalk]

You're in luck as the defunct panel was still in my electronic "to be recycled" box: "HX101II08H". Cheers

[@Kevr0]

Are you installing a double sided solid state drive? Or is it a single-sided like the one that came with the GPD? I did not buy one because I need it double-sided for my 8 TB SSD.

[@Kevr0]

Is this gonna cause ssd overheating?

[@GameTechTalk]

It is single-sided the drive I'm using. I was under the impression that double-sided was not supported on any device outside of the AYANEO 2.

[@Kevr0]

@@GameTechTalk thanks for the reply! And great job on all of the videos! I have been loving your content and look forward to your in depth reviews and tear downs

[@GameTechTalk]

@@Kevr0 Thanks for the kind words! Still figuring this out everyday and grateful that you see enough as it is to believe in the long-term vision. Cheers!

[@PInoyHenyoRito]

Help where did you buy the lcd mine has ghost touches i need to buy im in the philippines TT

[@GameTechTalk]

I got it from GPD under the warranty as my original panel was defective. Of course I had to prove the defectiveness, have you tried reaching out to either GPD or the place you bought it? Unless of course you bought it second hand? Good luck friend and thanks for engaging!

[@pak63]

Maybe that was the payback from eating on the screen ))) but good work you did with replacing.

[@GameTechTalk]

I was wondering if someone was gonna bring that up ahahahhahah!! To be fair, my WM2 arrived with those defects before there ever was a review being written but, it's also funny to think that this was karma punishing me 😂 Thanks for watching heheh!

[@m.l.9385]

Do you know by any chance what BIOS IC they are using. And where it is placed? Thanks!

[@GameTechTalk]

I wouldn't, I'll be opening it again, I could have a look then. Cheers!

[@FS-zt6tm]

sorry if you mentioned it in the video but how did you get a replacement screen? Was it still under warranty or did you have to purchase it?

[@GameTechTalk]

Under warranty. I reached out, they asked if I was ok servicing the device myself, I said I was, they sent the screen.

[@prototypeproject1173]

Hi, I'm writing to you from Italy to ask you some questions - the answers of which may already be in your video - in this case, sorry, but I don't understand English well when it's not written. Here are my questions: 1. why did you replace the screen of your gpdmax2? blacklight or something? 2. gpdmax2 guarantees on screen? 3. Or do you recommend buying a new screen from a third party? I'm looking for a screen that eliminates the known blacklight problem on the screens supplied with gpdmax2.

[@GameTechTalk]

Hello Prototype Project! The defect panel did have backlight bleeding, as did the new panel, and as did the new device I'm working on (which is not GPD). That was not the reason for the defect, in fact, I don't know that backlight bleed can count as a defect per se. I did have a light leak at the seam of the bezel and housing. See 2:54 , where I put a picture up, that would beam at me the entire time the device was powered on. The other issue that I had close to the leak itself was a "warp" effect in the panel where you could see it slopping down. It was slightly visible head-on but was glaringly obvious when tilting the device a bit. The colors would fringe and the pixels would warp. Reach out to GPD to see what they'll say, keep in mind they are in Chinese New Year holiday right now so you won't have an answer for about 2 weeks give or take. Personally, I think backlight bleeding is part of "panel lottery" which is sometimes very irritating I'll give you that, but yeah, it ultimately is GPD's decision. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@DerKrazyKrautGaming]

I'm saving up for a Win Max 2 since it's the laptop that I really wanted but I've been seeing many posts on KZbin and reddit about various issues like the screen, sd card, creeking, etc. And for a thousand dollars I'm more and more hesitant to get one now.

[@GameTechTalk]

I'd be lying if I told you that you are guaranteed a flawless unit but I'll tell you this much. Microsoft had Red Ring of Death, Sony had plane engine PS3s and PS4s. Nintendo had.... nothing as bad but that's not my point! 😅😅😅 The odds are still fairly small, but the people who have issues understandably will speak louder than the ones who don't. Don't let the 1% scare you away from the device you've been dreaming of. But I'm also not here to tell you it's impossible, it's just very unlikely. Keep in mind, I was #2. Literally the second person in the world to buy the GPD Win Max 2 from IGG so I was waaayyyyy before "Quality Control" was properly established on the production chain, if that's of any help! :)

[@DerKrazyKrautGaming]

@@GameTechTalk a lot of what you said goes without saying and you're absolutely right 👍 I'm actually one of the suckers who bought 3 Xbox 360s because they kept dying on me. I'll just hope for the best 🎉

[@megaloth1955]

Nintendo has the notorious joycon drift and the bricking of units using any third party charger (which was patched and most likely fixed by now.) Sounds pretty bad to me :)

[@GameTechTalk]

@@megaloth1955 It was bad indeed, but not fatal (for the joycons) and the third party charger issue was very short lived and addressed in firmware update but that one was a pretty major one, you're right. The RRoD lasted an entire generation, it was pretty crazy. Like Der Krazy Kraut, I bought an unhealthy amount of 360s and so did my brothers, we were all old enough to work at that point. At one point, we had more than 10 x 360s in the house (I'm not sure they were all ours), not even kidding. And back then, just like now, I was opening the devices, I would repaste, I would put them in the oven (that was a trick), I would pull every possible stunt to keep 'em alive but yeah... Even the very last one, the Xbox 360 Slim would RRoD though I can admit that it was not as frequent. I'll never forget, my very very first Xbox 360, I take it home, I plug it in, power it, and at the country selection screen? It RRoD'ed and never powered back up. The launch window was stupid, we had 3-4 copies of every launch title cause Microsoft would send us games to calm us down from having to wait 2-3 weeks for the console to be replaced by mail... Ahhhh sorry for the long wall of text, I went into nostalgia mode. Thinking back now, it puts a smile on my face but back then ahahahahaah, I was crazy furious! 😂😂😂

[@megaloth1955]

If your Switch Lite is drifting, it's repair time. That's pretty fatal in my book. And even for the larger model, Joycons aren't exactly cheap. You do have third party options, but you can hardly play anything when it's drifting.

[@lewiswright4038]

Where do you get the stick on stands from

[@GameTechTalk]

AliExpress, check on my channel, I have a Shorts that covers them with a direct link. You can also buy 'em on Amazon but the price is inflated.

[@FS-zt6tm]

great vid! I'm from Canada too so I feel your pain when it comes to ordering stuff from China. You from Monetreal?

[@GameTechTalk]

The most beautiful Canadian city! I am so right now, it's white as far as the eye can see! Home takes a deeper meaning when we are covered in snow as we are!

[@FS-zt6tm]

@@GameTechTalk Love Montreal! I'm from Toronto and we just finally got snow after a long drought. Can't say I missed it, I was enjoying going for runs/walking my dog without the dreaded snow.

[@nicomilord]

Woah gpd gave me a screen replacment for the dead pixels.

[@GameTechTalk]

That's great customer service, when I bought my New 3DS XL on launch day, I had dead pixels. Nintendo didn't replace it as it was normal as per warranty unless it was a very large cluster within a certain range... Dead pixels is one of the worst things and most warranties need a stupid amount to consider it a defect. Plus, those panels were fairly low res, so you just could not unsee it. Bravo GPD!

[@3vil8unny]

Are you going to liquid metal this :) nice video thank you

[@GameTechTalk]

Actually, I have a big sheet to TPM7950 that I need to install on various devices but haven't gotten around to doing it.

[@stingaarshark6159]

What did you install I thought you could.only upgrade the ssd and the 4g lte

[@GameTechTalk]

Only swapped the panel and added a second drive, I haven't done any other changes. I could've repasted but I wasn't even motivated enough to do that 😅

[@SwirlyJoe]

Can the processor be swapped with another GPD device?

[@GameTechTalk]

Everything's possible with the right know how but if we're talking about a quick unsocket like you would on a PC rig, no it's not.

[@Johnny_Gibbons]

You are my God now ✝️

[@GameTechTalk]

Well that's a first 🤣 I appreciate the kind word and glad I was of any help!

[@Whitlow68]

Is it possible to swap to a different brand 120 hz screen?

[@GameTechTalk]

Nothing's impossible in this world but a "readily available" solution that works without issues, driver issues, peripheral issues, connectivity issues, etc etc etc, is greatly not to be likely. Quite frankly, you'd definitely save far more time and quite possibly money by just buying a newer device that has the screen you're hoping for.

[@holdeminator3353]

sa coche tes picks a guitars

[@GameTechTalk]

C'est pratique pour ces trucs là en effet! 😄

[@mystechry]

I just noticed, that you most likely use the same screwdriver set I do, hahah

[@GameTechTalk]

I was going to get the iFixit one but then I saw that one for like a third of the price, super high rated on Amazon. I didn't think twice and I must say, so far this thing is rocking out of the park ahahha!

[@mystechry]

​@@GameTechTalk Yeah. It was super cheap and has any screw driver bit out there included. That little magnetic pad for the screws is so useful, too. I'm thinking of getting a second one, just in case ... EDIT: I looked it up and it's not available any more. Shame.

[@mrsacky]

Needs more camera angles

[@GameTechTalk]

Agreed, I've been thinking, I might use a third camera for something more at an angle to help visibility when doing teardowns and whatnot. Thanks for your support! 😊

[@megaloth1955]

Awww HELL naw, man. I would have ripped and torn like half of these flimsy ribbon cables. My new Win Max 2 better not pull any of this crap.

[@GameTechTalk]

The odds are extremely unlikely for you to have any issues. With that said, the good news is with videos such as this one as a guideline, if you are not comfortable doing the work, most people have shops in their area that would happily do it for a small contribution. It's a very quick and easy device to service to be perfectly honest. Cheers!

[@megaloth1955]

Got a point there. Maybe I'll take it to a phone repair shop, they must know their way around small electronics. Thanks for making this!

[@gmemack8110]

😺 got you 😂

[@GameTechTalk]

I probably should've put the part where I realize the panel and backlight are separated at the beginning of the video ahahahaah! In true KZbinr fashion! 😂 Thanks for watching 😄

[@gmemack8110]

@@GameTechTalk lol nah...i was laughing cuz it looks like yu pissed the kitty off and she got your hand..nice work tho brother!!..yeah i probably would've gave up after that...lmao my hands are like Dr. Strange before the accident...and I still probably would've been too scared to do that kind of surgery!!

[@GameTechTalk]

@GMEmack Ahhhh!! I didn't catch that my bad. Yeah, my little Bengal baby (she my daughter 😻) likes to play, A LOT! And one of the ways she plays is nib at socks (with our feet in 'em of course 🤣) and she playfully bites hands BUT, she kicks with her hindlegs and that leaves scratches. She's so cute though, I probably shouldn't let her, when she's all grown up I'll be missing fingers on teardown videos 😅

[@banyanyas839]

I like how people still have a prejudice against "chinese" product, yet all of their devices processor made in taiwan lol

[@Drivenby]

Your screen died?! Oh god I would cry Not clear what happened to your screen btw

[@GameTechTalk]

The old one? I don't know but when a panel and backlight completely separate, it usually is not a good sign. I can guarantee that I will not remove the new working one to check on the old one now that the installation is finished 😂 Cheers!

[@Drivenby]

@@GameTechTalk oh I mean why did you have to replace it? I wasnt clear on that

[@GameTechTalk]

@@Drivenby Oh around 2:54 I put a screenshot up to show you what the defect was. Honestly, I could've lived with it but ultimately glad that it was done as it's much better now! Cheers :)