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GPD MicroPC handheld computer preview

It's been a good couple of years for handheld computer enthusiasts. Companies like GPD, One Netbook, and TopJoy have been cranking out Windows computers with screen sizes between 5.5 inches and 8 inches and for the most part each one seems better than the lat in one way or another.

Now GPD's fifth tiny Windows computer is available for pre-order through a crowdfunding campaign. It's called the GPD MicroPC and it's... honestly a bit weird.

The GPD MicroPC has more full-sized ports than you'd expect to find on a device that's small enough to fold up and slide into a pocket (if you have fairly large pockets).

That makes it a versatile machine that could be appealing to network administrators and other folks that need to troubleshoot gear in the field, but who don't want to carry around a big, heavy laptop.

It's the company's most affordable mini PC to date. GPD plans to sell it for $399 later this year, but backers of the company's Indiegogo campaign can reserve one for as little as $299. And that could make it appealing to folks who don't need some of the computer's features (like the serial port on the back).

But it also has a plastic body, a relatively slow processor, and the GPD MicroPC lacks a touchscreen display. The thumb keyboard is also not something I’d want to spend a lot of time using. It’s good enough for entering small amounts of text, but if I were instant messaging a friend or writing a term paper, I’d probably rather use a full-sized keyboard… or even my touchscreen phone, quite honestly.

The GPD MicroPC isn’t going to appeal to everyone. But for enthusiasts of handheld computers, it’s a unique option that combines an affordable price point with a heck of a lot of functionality.

GPD sent me a pre-release demo unit to test for this preview, and I’ve been using it on and off for the last month.

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The Taihe Gemini portable monitor has made quite a splash since going up for pre-order on Kickstarter in January, having raised over $1 million from more than 3,200 backers so far -- despite the project's modest goal of just $10,000. 

 So what is it about this 15.6 inch portable display that's striking a chord with people? After all, there are plenty of other portable monitors on the market... but few have the range of features Taihe managed to pack into the Gemini. 

 Like other options, it's a screen that you can plug into a laptop, tablet, or other device if you want to use two displays at once. But it has more ports than most alternatives, features a built-in battery so you can use it with or without a power adapter, comes with a choice of a 4K display or a 1080p touchscreen display, and the Taihe Gemini has a fairly compact design.

The relatively inexpensive promotional pricing also probably didn't hurt: Early backers of the Kickstarter campaign could reserve a 1080p Gemini for as little as $159 or a 4K model for $269... although prices have gone up since then. 

 The Kickstarter campaign ends on February 18th, 2019 and Taihe says the Gemini will begin shipping to customers in May, and the full retail prices will eventually be $299 for the 1080p model and $499 for the 4K version. 

 So is this portable display worth the asking price? The company sent me a 1080p demo unit so I could find out.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROoE3AzMG_U

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[liliputing]

GPD has been making handheld computers for a few years, starting with the GPD Win line of small gaming computers and following up with the GPD Pocket line of mini-laptop computers.

This year the company is launching a new category, starting with the GPD MicroPC. It’s the company’s smallest mini computer to date — and also the cheapest. You’ll be able to pick one up for $299 during a crowdfunding campaign set to begin on February 15th.

It’s expected to have a retail price of $399 when the MicroPC is made more widely available later this year.

Smaller, cheaper… what’s not to like, right? Well, for one thing, the MicroPC is powered by an Intel Celeron N4100 processor and just 4GB of RAM, making it slower than its sibling. For another, it’s got a tiny keyboard with an awkward layout that makes typing a bit difficult.

That might not be a major problem if you’re a network administrator looking for a tiny, portable computer that you can use to enter a few commands at a time or a casual user looking to surf the web or play some games on the go.  But I wouldn’t really want to use this computer to type out long documents, text messages, or emails.

So let’s take a closer look at the GPD MicroPC’s keyboard.

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