The small handheld that just plays everything [PC/PS3/360+] (GPD Win 4 Review)

[@johnsducks9816]

Dam when i saw the thunbnail i thought it was an odin 2 mini for a second

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Soon!

[@L3tThereBeGames]

Me toooooo 😭😭😭

[@phonsdaaries]

Same lol

[@agamaz5650]

@@JoeysRetroHandhelds could you play darkwatch with 60 fps patch please?

[@rafaelochoa9776]

Yea I’m out lol.

[@n173w0lf]

You overlooked that Oculink port. None of the "big players" handheld PCs has one.

[@BCfosheezy]

The APU does have to be cooled so the fan noise is not something that can be remedied... but the sound volume isn't a realistic solution IMO. This will mainly be used for gaming on busses, trains, planes, car rides. You're going to have earbuds in. The fan noise will be miniscule compared to ambient noise while traveling. This is not as big of an issue as it sounds in this review. Very few people are buying a handheld device to play in their quiet homes because it makes no sense to do so. As far as the keyboard... It's far better than an on-screen keyboard. It doesn't cover up the screen. You don't have to worry about touch sensitivity activating the wrong key. If you're a Windows user you will absolutely get use out of it with all of the Windows shortcut keys. Windows is a double edged sword. You most likely want this device to play Windows games, but as such Windows 11 is extremely bloated and you'll need to know how to remove that bloat. Otherwise, background tasks will eat up your battery. I know there are lots of places online that say Windows 11 is more "efficient" than Windows 10 or even Windows 7. Those are outright lies. There is 0 truth to them and their motivation for saying it is something other than their love for honesty. Take any route that will allow you to decrease bloat while still retaining the ability to use all of the hardware features this offers. People will say "Don't even consider Windows 7 because it's insecure!!! That's of course fear porn in this scenario. The only consideration should be if you can get the GPD drivers to run in Win 7 and if the launchers / software will run in it. Otherwise, there is no concern. You're not going to be downloading from sketchy parts of the internet on this device. You'll be gaming on the go. It's not going to be on all the time or with a fixed address. So nobody is going to access your handheld. If they somehow magically did, what would they get? Some roms they could have downloaded elsewhere? Cool story. It's a not a legit worry and the benefits outweigh the 0 risk. Auto TDP was the best tip this review gave. Why? Adjusting TDP manually doesn't make a lot of sense. Why? Try setting your maximum fuel consumption on your vehicle to some really low rate. Then do some interstate/freeway driving. You'll quickly realize the machine needs what it needs to run specific tasks. Trying to limit that is a backwards way of thinking. The machine needs to be ungoverned as far as how hard it can run when it needs to. The software being run is what needs to be limited so that it just doesn't need to run as hard (limiting FPS). This will limit the power consumption naturally and you won't chug along in the mean time. Don't forget to shut off the search indexer and turn off wifi before gaming. I doubt you'll be forgetting where you put some file on your SSD on this handheld. So you won't really need the indexer running in the background eating up your battery while you're trying to game. If wifi is enabled, Windows WILL look for updates, download antivirus definitions, get news if you've left it enabled, and send screenshots and other telemetry back to microsoft and anyone else who has paid MS to spy on your usage. Shut it off.

[@seethruhead7119]

I just ordered an Ayaneo Air 1s instead. Oled screen is key

[@Richardo978]

I not long ago got mine their so good

[@Breakbeats92.5]

I just keep saying over and over to myself, "I have a Steam Deck - just walk away, I have a Steam deck - just walk away." Why am I here!!!!

[@saeguza4368]

What do you think about this GPD 4 ? it it worth ?

[@Hook0403]

Steam deck has horrible battery life and is weeeak when it comes to playing any games.

[@samsai1761]

@@Hook0403 Steam deck has great battery life compared to other handhelds. Steam deck also has one of the best screen with the OLED version. Of course it's not gonna outperform handhelds that cost over $1000. It's a great handheld if you're a casual gamer. Don't have to do any setup and mess with windows, just boot up and play.

[@megaboymegaboy1987]

Okay steam double deckers I’ll check it out cause I’m telling myself the same thing I already own some baloney technically most of us got something that can run crazy taxi full speed at least. Can this run ps vita full speed or can it run 3DS full speed? I want the games I already own back I had government staged looters placed into my life to steal my devices they a taking way to long to admit it was staged gangstalking since I’m number one player in the world at power rangers battle for the grid beat top 32 in evo now I have sore losers cops dad orchestrating all kinda salty loser crap even killed my mom cat house and dog in this specific order but I’ve decided to stay mobile till then so I’m starting from game boy instead of NES just gonna play game gear no SNES or Genesis just GBA no PS1 just 2DS no Wii just 3DS ETC no PS3 just VITA in 2024 plus they are dying to remaster the console games as if they forgot about Kirby dreamland gamboy or Mario land borderline was almost as good a NES game but for portable hit the spot if they harass and arrest us in the process GO FIGURE! #Switch #AppleArcadeAir #XperiaStationPRO 🎮🎰👩‍💻

[@jehezz]

@@megaboymegaboy1987 what

[@wildercerrate7295]

Holy shit late 2000s electronics are so back now we just need gummy clear electronics to come back

[@Dupstan]

Soon...

[@TigerTT]

Well there are such backplates and frontplates for the Steam Deck.

[@RockyAptera-xo3dd]

I think retroid or anbernic have a couple transparent plastic handhelds. I'm waiting for the retroid flip 2 in ruby red

[@SOF006]

I think this is where Windows on ARM is important, small devices like this could really benefit from a lower power-high performance chip like the new snapdragon chip, imagine oculink or usb4 external GPU paired up with the new snapdragon chip in a device like this. Would be killer I bet.

[@ControleComPhil]

Perfectly put

[@KyleRuggles]

Agreed! It only needs driver support etc, I can't imagine Nvidia and AMD helping out when it comes with external docks. I mean it's not like they're using dedicated graphics with these new chips in these new laptops. I wonder when that'll happen.

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

I'm very excited to test out Windows on ARM.

[@hiepbenh88]

totally agree, like SDxE gonna fit perfect for handheld if window arm have good support for games. we should wait now.

[@shahrukhahmed484]

The idea is great, but unfortunately, the graphic cards are designed for x86 processors. They won't work on armed-based systems. Nvidia and AMD have to design them specifically for ARM systems. That is why these ARM chips have GPU built in the SOC.

[@ThePerfectBalls]

That price tag though. Woof.

[@hyperplayrpg]

Oof?

[@haroldtorres2710]

No I agree! Buzz your Girlfriend! Woof!

[@cryptocsguy9282]

😂😂😂​@@haroldtorres2710

[@deamooz9810]

If you want to play high-end games for less than an hour on a handheld THAT much... guess it's worth the price lol

[@cryptocsguy9282]

@deamooz9810 the games aren't optimised for that specific hardware they're just designed to work on a general x86 specification that's the problem with these kinda devices vs the Nintendo switch

[@JasonValentineFL]

I always thought the steamdeck was a little clunky, so I appreciate the size and style of the GPD Win 4. Only area it disappoints is the battery life. Everything else is good for my tastes.

[@TokyoRobb]

I have the first one, i love it. Havnt had any issues whatsoever. Still plays everything i throw at it 😊

[@b.r.e100]

GTA 4? 5? All Bioshocks? Farcrys & left for dead that’s all I need to know and I’m sold lol

[@deana6072]

I've had this for a few days and he is not lying when said it can play ps3-360 games it's amazing I didn't even had to adjust anything to get them to work. That being said I can't imagine playing a steam deck because to me this already feels huge. It does take some time getting used to but this is probably as good as it's gonna get, for my needs this is perfect just wish I got the black one :( Also be aware there are some with issues like the gamepad not working for example and the only way to fix it is to send it back to the manufacturer...

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Definitely try the gpd Discord and the gamepad zip in the Tools channel. That fixed my gamepad issues.

[@marketingFuala]

A real futuristic device. I have it for 2 months now and I'm very satisfied with it. Never experience any issue. Using it for designing softwares and office works with gaming also. GPD Win 4 2024 is really a win

[@titan-]

Good to know! Do you have the 8000 series chip?

[@marketingFuala]

Yeah. 8840U 32GB RAM 2TB M.2. I purchased it along with a dock and hard case. Docked it on a LED TV then set the refresh rate to 63Hz and wallah, it feels like a full PC. I used Adobe apps, Autodesk apps, sketch up and lot more without problem.❤

[@thestoicmike]

@@marketingFuala How is the screen size?

[@alexisgarcia3365]

​@@marketingFuala how does it look when you game on a big screen?

[@AronGKatz]

Finally a review that points the ugly things about the win 4 and how to fix them to make it awesome. It would be awesome if you had a tutorial for using Handheld Companion

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Ah, I'm not experienced enough for it just yet for a tutorial video, but if I get to the point where I feel comfortable, I'll do one!

[@gamingguru2k6]

The only issue I have with it is the battery life under heavy load. You get about an hour. I know that's reasonable, but it would always be better to at least get 2 hours for a handheld. Under light load, you can get up to 5 hours. I like the keyboard because it helps with on the fly troubleshooting if a game won't run right. You can't always use an onscreen keyboard.

[@MicaelAzevedo]

Just use 15w. You will get 3.

[@FreeThinkingTruther]

Gaming handhelds, hitting all the right gadget nerves at the minute, filling the void left by smartphones! Mmmm, buttons

[@samsungfan1982]

I really like what they did with this device. I was looking into the Win Mini for a while but I can only imagine the difficulties with after sales support. That’s why I went with the Legion Go.

[@JFTSwiertz]

Ultimately, i took a steam deck over this back right when it came out. I was just a bit more confident in valve than the state of handhelds overall, but Im glad to hear people are enjoying it

[@XKitsuneX666]

I own a steamdeck A legion go And the one i always carry with me is the gpd win 4 2024

[@r0guepix3l50]

It is so clearly based on a phat psp 1000, the only reason it shares any similarities to the vita is because the vita was the psp's successor. I mean even down to the wlan switch on the silver trim at the side being in the same place albeit with different functionality.

[@josh2838]

Seriously $983 😂 cool Device, good review. But no thanks for that price.

[@KNIVSTHEKILLA]

it looks like a T-mobile Sidekick and OG PSP

[@titan-]

Waiting for a GPD Win 4 refresh or GPD Win 5. On the fence but this is the one handheld that has a tight grip in debate if I should buy it or wait haha

[@joeuzor]

The design seems to be closer to the PSP… a big PSP not necessarily the VITA. But I want one lol

[@xervantezxvi5022]

I have GPD WIN 4 they need to make a GPD WIN 4 lite version my GPD WIN 4 feels heavy like brick 🧱 the monitor it’s really made from heavy Metal and 2 heavy big battery inside I wish they make this lighter

[@ericochoa4034]

If only Amd truly optimized their apus for these handlhelds, then that would fix so many issues like battery life heat etc....

[@theprophet9428]

When you slid it up it was like seeing a car from the 80’s-90’s with pop up headlights.

[@deana6072]

SOLD as long as it plays PS3/360 games and PS2 properly I can care less about modern games running.

[@Montytheolaila]

Just FYI the added thermal pad makes a big difference on the heat. Opening the unit is a little annoying but it really is baffling that there isn’t a thermal pad on that memory nodule to begin with. The heat sink is literally built to cover it. Anyway it helps navigate that heat out and through the fan.

[@warlockboyburns]

1080p is wasted on a 6" screen I used 540p on handhelds and can't tell the difference.

[@WolfGaming1995ITRueConsoleWars]

Im absolutely loving mine

[@eddiedevereoxford4995]

Certainly a 'retro handheld' - I feel like it's 2008 again with this roided Sony Ericsson Xperia X1.

[@MidnightFireHuntress]

Love this thing! Plays WoW flawlessly, I do a ton of traveling and this thing is my best friend for travel!

[@kaizen209]

Slide out mechanism and keyboard added unnecessary cost/complexity and bulk. At 1k...not too many can afford it. Staying with my OLED Steamdeck

[@YarKee001]

I'm 125% sure I wouldn't buy this even if I'm a millionaire

[@soniczero532]

These prices seem absurdly high. I'm just waiting for them to be closer to 500 than 1,000. It'll happen if I. Patient in the next 5 years I'd say. Something that can play anything off the pc.

[@SneakyCaleb]

All these handhelds besides the steam deck continue to put the analog stick on the right side below the buttons. Terrible placement. Should be above them so you can actually use the stick properly.

[@kennethocampo3760]

Nice review. I like your Pokemon Blue mug too. Lovely!

[@Randomness662]

Upon receiving my Win4 in the mail and setting it up, I noticed that it was throttling HARD. Like, just transferring files from a flashdrive was getting the temps to 100c and causing major lag spikes. I thought okay, maybe a part of the heatsink/fan assembly isn't working or making contact, or maybe I have to repaste. Lmao. Uh, when I got to the processor there was a piece of kapton tape over the processor, and then thermal paste. The mfers who assembled the device forgot to take off the kaplon tape cutout that was made for the cpu. After taking that off and repasting with some good thermal paste I saw my temps go down to bout 30c idle (even better than average for a laptop cpu) and 60-70c under heavy load (4k gaming w/ egpu, multiple other windows open on 2nd 1080p monitor)

[@jasiuuu1985]

Joey, I would like to stop, appreciate and say BIG THANKS for the great job you're doing!

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

I appreciate that!

[@SuperKnuckels]

anything with such a price better play everything lol

[@djbrotherson]

I clicked because I thought it was an Odin 2 Mini 😂

[@JsmashTech]

I’m surprised at this review I was expecting one like last time where you just didn’t like it lol. Interesting how your view of this form factor and software changes can change it.

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Fully expected the same, glad to be proven wrong on a second attempt!

[@BenjaminSaragosa]

Biggest issue with this is associated with cost versus necessity. No one needs this. The market for it exists and they made other iterations so this market is tappable but the price point just makes me vomit. It's a bad price point for a device that does less than a laptop. And you're paying moderately costed laptop money. This device is what happens when someone with more money than sense splurges on something and gets back less return on investment but decides they still deserve the full amount for their mistake. And I still think this cutie device is better than the CyberTruck!

[@jimbobcheezeburger2020]

Put BazziteOS on this!

[@LeftyPencil]

It's great and documented ❤

[@Me-en4dn]

For a gaming handheld, the physical keyboard is just unnecessary. All it does is add bulk.

[@therunawaykid6523]

Yeah reminds me a bit of the old blackberry phones that had a full qwerty keyboard built in 😏 and also he said it isn’t very good to type on which is a massive shame - I find a touch screen keyboard much more convenient with a handheld pc and of course keeps the bulk down like I have on my rog ally which I love

[@floin420]

I would say it's closer to being inspired by the PSP than the Vita, but it still looks excellent.

[@allenfrisch]

The Win Mini is very similar to the Win 4 but is FAR more ergonomic (if you attach the included grip handles). Still has the same unfortunate heat issues though. I really like having the full keyboard to create useful hotkeys and macros for various games. Oh! And the touchpad on the Mini is stupendous!

[@KyleRuggles]

Great review! Not for me though, the fact that these things quickly become old in a year and that I can't really upgrade em, I rather just upgrade my PC and have all my handhelds benefit from it via streaming. If they could develop a custom apu like the steamdeck and could play snes at 4-5 watt, then I'd be interested!

[@KennyMaximum]

It looks more like a PSP than a Vita, not sure why all KZbinrs that cover it keep saying Vita🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Aequalis-r6h]

Battery sucks we need better batteries

[@cyclonmaster]

This is good badass 💪🏻

[@MrRetrostage]

It looks so high tech and well made... Could easily be made by Sony with a big Vita 2 logo on it. 😅

[@MackDaddyVic]

The controller portion of this device is wayyyy too tiny. 6 inch screen is too small. Smaller than my iPhone 13 Pro Max… My monster hands would cramp up immediately. Holding this tiny fella. No thanks.

[@WeAsOneRise]

See, give me this with 5G Lte and let me a add it to my phone plan. That's what I'd want haha

[@tdata545]

I have the 2022 and 2023 version, waiting for the 2025 with the 9xxx series. GPD is my favorite company for AMD pcs. I also have the GPD Win Max with some intel 10th gen processor, Win Max 2 2022 and 2023 edition. Love the Win Max 2, currently using it right now to type this (with an external Keyboard). Win Max 2 is just insane for its ports and storage expansion capabilities. The 2022 edition allowed you to use both SD Card slots at the same time, which was a feature they removed for the 2023 version. I think Occulink took up too many lanes. But I put a 4TB storage in both, and 2GB in the expansion bay. So great.

[@CrocoDylianVT]

it's not the most powerful, in CPU the Z1 Extreme Ally is still slightly ahead, and in graphics it's literally the same as all other handhelds that aren't the Steam Deck or the MSI Claw withthe same Radeon 780M that all the latest Ryzen based systems have

[@KiraSlith]

I know it's normal for these machines but 1-3 hours isn't mobile gaming worthy. My old MBook UMID did just over an hour of UT with stock XP on a dinky 1.7Wh battery and 2nd generation Intel Atom, newer chips are enormously more efficient, and this machine has 26x the battery capacity. Why are we still struggling so hard to meet or beat comparable standards?

[@TheAussiePipe]

If it had VRR to prevent screen tearing and 120Hz like the ROG Ally and the GPD Win Mini 2024, it would be a real contender. Hopefully the next generation includes👍

[@jcc4543]

I wanted to have this but i'ts very pricy, and if I got this it might be outdated.

[@Lionpride97]

The battery life turns me off. I want to be able to play it without being plugged in.

[@CaimAstraea]

I'm planning on getting this or the max2 on linux and have an all in one device. ditch my phone also.

[@extendedclipricco3214]

Still for the life of me I can't understand why this doesnt have 90hz or 120hz :\ Makes this version of the Win4 probably the most pointless.

[@Justanobody8472]

A $1000 handheld that struggles to play last gen games and has a major heating problem. This is why we need a new steam deck and/or xbox handheld BADLY

[@dgevert]

I have the Win Max 2. Having the keyboard right there actually comes in handy for hotkeys in games and emulators. I don't have to set up controller hotkeys for various Retroarch functions because I can just hit the corresponding keys on the keyboard instead. And I set up hotkeys in motion assistant for various essential functions (TDP presets, screen brightness, performance overlay, etc.)

[@jackofblades3171]

It feels acceptable. But man does it make my Dualsense 5 feel good. It does what it needs to do. Anything extra would have been too much. Look at the PS Portal. That thing is terrible from a portable perspective.

[@retrogamingnmore2513]

Excellent Choice for a product to review Joey

[@alifarsani2469]

1400$ before shipping and taxes?!?! hahahaha for that money you can get a Steam Deck AND a gaming laptop! no thank you very much!

[@OC.TINYYY]

Odd review. My fan is whisper quiet & surprisingly low under 28w. Must have a faulty fan or you need to configure your fan settings. I also have no heat issues, none more than 5 or 6 other handhelds I have.

[@ClownCar666]

hahah Wish I had the money. Perfect for playing Fallout in bed

[@polocatfan]

still don't respect GPD for being jealous of Valve and trying to spread misinfo about the Steam Deck

[@Toripusutashi]

I had the first interation of thr gdp win. It was ambitious but fell flat for me and mine broke within half s year. This looks cool but i love my steam deck

[@thegrapevine10]

Rog Ally and Legion go dont come with an oculink port, unless they include Thunderbolt 5 on the Ally and Go, then they are always going to lose

[@ICRA7ED]

GPD win 4 + Xreal air pro HANDS DOWN!!! I played them everyday!

[@alejandrochavez6470]

it look just like the psp which is very appealing to me. i did owned a psp and still have it in my possession. dam that device is fat. its thick and chunky, very impressive. as long as it not heavy its good

[@DNAMobileGaming]

Holy SLIDE it's $1400 doll hairs! 😮😮. I'm good 🤣

[@randomcommenterurl]

I think it looks a lot more like a PSP, especially with that silver contour going around the sides

[@Omega_21XX]

can't care less about something compared to a psvita, it isn't competing at nearly $1k USD

[@jtw1821]

Had me fooled at first look I thought you already had the Odin 2 Mini

[@harper3579]

you gotta test this thing with lossless scaling! i'd imagine it would make it dang near perfect

[@Wattermelondog]

1k for that and it doesnt even have an oled screen? give us a 1200p screen oled or somtin no reason for a 1080p on that size

[@BnmSdf-y2s]

Jones William Rodriguez Michelle Thompson Jeffrey

[@CENmassTER86]

Damn this is like witchcraft.. almost...looks phenomenal

[@Adamant225]

Is it just me or is the vita comparisons a miss. It looks a lot like the psp og (not go) to me. I'm just sayin'..

[@nextgenownage]

Sadly can't leave the house with this the battery is non existent 😢

[@projectkordamye1361]

Am unhappy with mine, am hoping the Win Mini is better for my needs.

[@LiamAlixsons-o1b]

Brown Jessica Anderson Michelle Martinez Christopher

[@instars2027]

You can buy 2 steam decks for the price of this GPD Win 4.

[@JenkinsRudolf-c6k]

Allen Nancy White Barbara Thompson Carol

[@fellowninja]

I really think that, if we ever see an Odin 3 or 4, it'll be running on Snapdragon Elite architecture. I'd pay $500-$600 for something like that, but if it's supposed to compete with an Apple M4 chip, then maybe it'll be more expensive than even that.

[@JohnsonAntonio-s5y]

Young Richard Walker Larry Brown James

[@GeoffreyAurora-i7l]

Garcia Thomas Rodriguez Robert Smith Paul

[@allergictobs9751]

Dude 30watts and still at only 70 degrees on cpu and gpu, wow!

[@KennedyDeborah-e4l]

Clark Michael Johnson Kimberly Lewis Donna

[@ElinorCeleste-k3o]

Wilson Betty Moore Melissa Rodriguez Christopher

[@m.isamario3214]

this thing blew my asus tuf away, is it logic if i sell my laptop and switch to buy this

[@Visionary4787]

Been wanting to order this for a min

[@chrisw8069]

The Odin 2 still remains the king of handhelds.

[@KyleRuggles]

Agreed! But if I was made out of money I'd get an Odin 2 and this! Odin 2 for everything up to ps2 for battery life and the GPD Win 4 for everything else. But then I don't see much of a need to get a dedicated windows handheld when I use moonlight. Like we can't upgrade these things ya know? And they quickly can become obsolete, I rather just upgrade my pc and share that upgrade throughout any device that streams from it.

[@Yannick9797]

Lol never used a steam deck 😂

[@iamnotyourbuddyGUY]

That is a strange way to spell steam deck. Have fun with the ghost

[@deamooz9810]

Of android emulation handhelds*

[@aru3]

Eh, I'd say the Odin 2 is one of the best "value for your money" handhelds. But king? Eh, it's missing too much to be king imo. Odin 2 can't be a "one and done" handheld because it can't play PS3 games, PC games, Wii U games, 360 games, etc. It also has less compatibility with Switch emulation vs Ryujinx + Yuzu on PC. It's basically the only reason why I haven't gotten an Odin 2; I know that it can't be a "one and done" device for me, which is why I own a GPD Win 4.

[@o0mrrobot0o26]

It's def a cool device imo but the price and the fact that the screen caps out at 60hz is a hard pass for me dawg. For that price it should've shipped with oled or in the minimum a 120hz panel.

[@eladeofficial]

Pls do a ps vita or Nintendo switch lite giveaway and pps do keepe in mind