The GPD Win Max 2 is stealing the Steam Deck’s highlight as players search handheld units that may run their favourite triple-A titles. The ultra-tiny gaming laptop computer already has an edge over the Valve console: you do not have to pay $5 to hop on a ready listing to buy it.
Chances are you’ll be questioning, “What is the GPD Win Max 2’s worth?” There is a restricted version mannequin for $899, however the common base variant prices $999. If you happen to max out the specs, you will must shell out $1,299. Conversely, the Steam Deck begins at $399 whereas the maxed-out mannequin prices $649.00. So what does this mighty mite of a gaming laptop computer have to supply over the Steam Deck? Let’s discover out.
Is the GPD Win Max 2 higher than the Steam Deck?
If you happen to’re questioning whether or not you must snag the GPD Win Max 2 or the Steam Deck, it relies on what you are searching for. The Win Max 2 is not essentially marketed as a handheld console — GPD boasts that it is a laptop computer that doubles as a gaming machine. In truth, the Win Max 2 options two magnetic covers that may cover its embedded controllers, so you possibly can recreation secretly whilst you’re on the workplace.
If you happen to’re searching for a hybrid gadget that may facilitate your productiveness whereas additionally permitting you to recreation in your off days, the GPD Win Max 2 could also be a greater match. In spite of everything, a correct laptop computer wants ports, and the Win Max 2 has a pleasant mixture of them, together with HDMI 2.1, USB Sort-C and USB Sort-A ports. Its display screen can be stylus-compatible, which can attraction to informal artists. Nevertheless, in order for you a cushty, handheld console that you may play with for hours at a time, the Steam Deck is your finest wager.
I am unable to communicate for the Steam Deck’s efficiency (we’re nonetheless ready for our unit so we will check it), however I can focus on its design as I bought an opportunity to play Cyberpunk 2077 on the 256GB mannequin ($529). One obtrusive setback the Steam Deck has in comparison with the GPD Win Max 2 is its thick bezels and small show. The Steam Deck sports activities a 7-inch, 1280 x 800-pixel LCD touchscreen. The GPD Win Max 2, however, comes with a ten.1-inch panel with ultra-thin bezels, which implies it has much more display screen actual property than its Valve counterpart.
The Steam Deck feels completely divine in my arms. The thumbsticks are sturdy, but versatile. The controls are positioned the place the thumb rests naturally, and I by no means felt that the buttons — nor the tiny touchpads — had been out of attain.
The graphics on the Steam Deck are OK (the gadget runs on a customized AMD Zen 2 “Van Gogh” APU). They did not blow me away, however I did not count on them to. The GPD Win Max 2 presents two built-in graphics choices: Intel Iris Xe graphics and the AMD Radeon 680M GPU. Can they render triple-A graphics nicely? I am not satisfied, however we’ll must put it to the check in our lab earlier than rendering a ultimate judgment on their gaming prowess.
Outlook
My biggest concern with the GPD Win Max 2 is the keyboard doubtlessly getting in the best way. Apparently, nonetheless, GPD identified that the Win Max 2’s deck is barely narrower than the Steam Deck. The latter is 11.7 inches vast whereas the previous has a width of 8.9 inches.
As talked about, as soon as we get the Steam Deck and the GPD Win Max 2 in our lab, we’ll check these unhealthy boys out and put them by way of a brutal face-off to find out which handheld gaming gadget reigns supreme in graphics, gaming efficiency, and extra.
As of this writing, GPD is crowdfunding the manufacturing of the Win Max 2 on Indiegogo to lift $20,000. Provided that the unique GPD WIN Max raised almost $3 million again in 2020, we do not assume they’re going to have any hassle clearing that hurdle.
