For those of you interested in small portable devices that work with Linux, you might be interested in the GPD Win 2.
I will start off by noting that the GPD Win 2 is currently designed for Windows. So you're probably wondering why I'm even writing about it! Well—it can also run Linux. It is essentially a tiny laptop, with gamepad-like buttons included.
YouTuber 'The Phawx' managed to test a unit running Xubuntu and it does look rather promising:
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Some specs:
- 6 inch, 1280×720 touch display
- Intel Core™ m3-7Y30 (Kaby Lake) processor, 1.00 Ghz base and 2.60 Ghz turbo
- lntel HD Graphics 615
- 8GB RAM
- M.2 SSD 128GB replacable drive
- 1 x USB Type A 3.0, 1 x USB Type C 3.0, Micro HDMI, 3.5mm Headset & Microphones
- 2×4900mAh, In Series battery power
For anyone interested, it's currently crowdfunding on IndieGoGo where it has destroyed the initial $100K goal. It's currently well over $800K funded and I imagine it will continue climbing for a while with 2 months left on the campaign. It's not cheap though, with it being $649 from the IndieGoGo which is $250 off the price it will be at retail. For that price, you can get a pretty decent laptop in the UK, but the price is of course due to the cost involved in making such a small unit and you can't fit a laptop in your pocket…
As a fan of the Nintendo Switch, I can certainly see the appeal of such devices. Might be fun for those of you with some disposable income as a fun device to carry around once you pop Linux on it.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Mountain Man Jan 15, 2018
Quoting: GustyGhostI would be embarrassed to be caught with such a device beyond the age of twelve. But maybe that's just me.I'm 46, and I play my 3DS in public.
That said, this thing is way too expensive for what is essentially a woefully underpowered computer, only suitable for older games. You could buy a Nintendo Switch with all the trimmings and several games for the price of the GDP alone. I like the idea of portable PC gaming, but not at that price, and certainly not with those limitations.
3 Likes, Who?
Quoting: RTherenI wonder if SteamOS would run on that thingI run ubuntu 17.10 with steam on the GPD WIN, which was a much bigger challenge due to the bad linux support from intel for their CE stuff. Although this is not a big of CE as the CE5315 was, which is even less of a PC, and has even worse support.
Hans de Goede fixed a lot of stuff.
For the GPD WIN I need to run the latest and greatest kernel for things to work. I also needed to downgrade the bios on the win using windows, which I wiped after it started complaining about an illegal version of windows 10.
As the M3-7Y30 is better supported, steamos might work almost out of the box.
Don't be fooled by the M.2, it is M.2 2242 (not 2280), of which the biggest size is 256GB for at least 200 euro :-).
Anyway: twice the memory, SSD instead of a slow eMMC (I would have settled with UFS though), a normal CPU instead of an atom (don't count the GHz, atoms are much slower with comparible clocks).
A reasonable heat management instead of the piss poor one of the GPD win..
A Galaxy Note 8 will still be faster and has a much better heat management, but it doesn't run a normal linux environment with vulken and gles.
I wonder how good qemu (or exagear) would work with vulkan pass through on a note 8 :-).
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ElectricPrism Jan 15, 2018
I am looking to do a new SteamOS build, only thing is the mesa driver needs to be reved so I am thinking maybe Ill use Stephens Rocket or Arch with custom splash and auto login to big picture.
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wow it look a lot like Pyra/Pandora https://pyra-handheld.com whis is linux
3 Likes, Who?
I want a GPD Pocket like thingy instead as a mini laptop but min 1080 res. Really want something small that run Linux well out of the box with proper desktop applications. I hate touch screen keyboards with a passion so it would work better than a phone for my limited "on-the-go" life :P.
The keyboard on this seems better though, except for the Fn and backspace buttons.
The keyboard on this seems better though, except for the Fn and backspace buttons.
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Quoting: Hugormwow it look a lot like Pyra/Pandora https://pyra-handheld.com whis is linuxThe Pyra has an ARM CPU. This one is x86_64. Makes a big difference for compatibility.
1 Likes, Who?
I've got a GPD Pocket http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/02/gpd-pocket-ubuntu-7-inch-laptop-indiegogo It's out, it has a better resolution and is apparently cheaper. It doesn't have the game-controller-keyboard, though, but I'm not a game-controller-user anyway.
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Every time I play Stardew Valley, I wish it was on a handheld. I don't want to buy a Switch just for it, though. (I already bought the 3DS just for Fire Emblem.) The GDP looks great, but really hard to justify. I can probably type faster on a touch screen than a tiny keyboard with real buttons. Maybe I'm wrong though. Two thumbs are better than one. Still, a Switch for $300 was too much for me to consider, so doubling that doesn't fly.
On the topic of handheld gaming in public, I see your point. I don't do it that much in public either. But I have at times played during lunch breaks at work. That might be seen as childish in your office / warehouse / wherever, but I work in a big IT building with many other nerds. In fact, we have game systems provided by the company in the break room. And no, I'm not in my 20's anymore. :)
On the topic of handheld gaming in public, I see your point. I don't do it that much in public either. But I have at times played during lunch breaks at work. That might be seen as childish in your office / warehouse / wherever, but I work in a big IT building with many other nerds. In fact, we have game systems provided by the company in the break room. And no, I'm not in my 20's anymore. :)
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Quoting: tuubiBut if I understand the Pyra will be modular and the next thing to be pursued after the release should be a x86_64 board as option.Quoting: Hugormwow it look a lot like Pyra/Pandora https://pyra-handheld.com whis is linuxThe Pyra has an ARM CPU. This one is x86_64. Makes a big difference for compatibility.
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Quoting: SeegrasI've got a GPD Pocket http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/02/gpd-pocket-ubuntu-7-inch-laptop-indiegogo It's out, it has a better resolution and is apparently cheaper. It doesn't have the game-controller-keyboard, though, but I'm not a game-controller-user anyway.
The GPD Win 2 comes with a better CPU too
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