GPD Win Mini 2

The Verdict

The GPD Win Mini 2 is a clamshell mini-laptop that happens to be a killer emulation machine. The 8840U gives you Wii U, solid PS3 attempts, and native PC gaming in a device with a real keyboard and a 7-inch 1080p screen. It's the spiritual successor to the GPD Win Max for people who want a smaller package. Weird, capable, and oddly compelling.

First Thing to Do

1. **Update drivers from GPD** — Hit gpd.hk, grab the latest pack. Stock drivers are always behind

2. **Install Handheld Companion** — Essential for TDP control and gamepad mapping when using the built-in controls

3. **Install Playnite** — Your unified game launcher

4. **Set display scaling to 100%** — Windows will default to something absurd on this screen. Fix it immediately

5. **Configure the analog sticks** — The Mini 2's sticks are small. Adjust deadzones in Handheld Companion

Emulation Setup

→**PS2:** PCSX2 — 3x resolution, rock solid. The 8840U is a PS2 monster

→**GameCube/Wii:** Dolphin — Full library at 2x-3x resolution

→**Wii U:** Cemu — Full library. BOTW at 60fps with mods, no problem

→**PSP:** PPSSPP — Max resolution, perfect

→**3DS:** Azahar — High resolution, flawless

→**PS3:** RPCS3 — Lighter titles at 30fps. The 8840U is slightly better than 7840U here. Persona 5, Demon's Souls playable

→**Xbox 360:** Xenia Canary — Game-dependent but worth trying

→**Switch:** Eden or Citron — Lighter titles work. Mario Kart 8, lighter indies

→**Everything older:** RetroArch

Native PC Gaming

Similar to Steam Deck performance. 720p medium for modern games, 1080p for older stuff. The clamshell form factor means you've got a real keyboard and trackpad — great for strategy games, CRPGs, and anything that benefits from mouse+keyboard. The 7-inch screen is small but the 1080p resolution keeps things sharp.

Pro Tips

1. **The clamshell form factor is the point** — This is a tiny laptop that games. Use it like one. CRPGs, strategy games, and visual novels are perfect here

2. **TDP guide: 8W retro (4+ hours), 15W PS2/Wii U (2.5 hours), 28W max for PC games (1.5 hours)**

3. **The keyboard makes emulator setup painless** — No more pecking at on-screen keyboards to configure RPCS3

4. **Plug into a dock for desktop mode** — USB-C to a monitor + keyboard turns this into a real PC

5. **Fan noise is manageable** — Set custom fan curves. At 15W it's barely audible

Worth It?

At $699-899, the Win Mini 2 is for people who specifically want that clamshell mini-laptop form factor. If you just want a gaming handheld, the Ally X or Steam Deck are better buys. But if you want a pocketable PC that also does excellent emulation, the Win Mini 2 is genuinely unique. The keyboard alone makes emulator configuration 10x easier than any slab-style handheld.