- GDP MicroPC 2 packs efficiency upgrades into one of many lightest laptops with full Windows
- Full-size ports and PCIe 3.0 storage make this mini-PC surprisingly versatile for fieldwork
- 7-inch display screen is sharp, brilliant, and folds flat for versatile use, but not for lengthy classes or multitasking
Whereas most fashionable ultraportables chase skinny bezels and all-day battery life, GPD’s new MicroPC 2, the observe up to the unique MicroPC (first launched in 2018 and refreshed in 2021), takes a special route.
It brings again the netbook format with up to date internals and rugged, field-ready sturdiness, geared toward particular use instances like IT upkeep, networking, and cellular diagnostics.
Weighing round 490 grams and measuring 171.2 x 110.8 x 23.5 mm, it is among the lightest laptops with full x86 compatibility.
Efficiency in a tiny shell
At its core, the MicroPC 2 runs Intel’s N250 processor, constructed on the newer Intel 7 course of.
Whereas nonetheless a low-power chip, it affords clear enhancements in base and increase clock speeds, cache dimension, and built-in graphics efficiency.
Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 reminiscence and a 512GB M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0 x4 bandwidth, the system delivers surprisingly succesful efficiency for mild workloads.
Benchmark scores present giant beneficial properties in each CPU and GPU efficiency in contrast to the unique MicroPC.
Even with these upgrades, it is difficult to see this compact machine – now obtainable for backing on Indiegogo – gaining broad attraction, particularly with an early-backer worth shut to $500.
Its 7-inch 1080p show affords 500 nits of brightness, making it readable and usable regardless of the compact kind issue.
The display screen folds flat for added flexibility in tight environments. Nonetheless, the scale and format make it uncomfortable for prolonged typing or multitasking.
For engineers or cellular professionals who want command-line entry, it could function a compact problem-solver. But it is finest considered as a backup terminal, not a major machine.
The MicroPC 2 does make sensible use of its rear I/O format. With twin USB-C and USB-A Gen 2 ports, HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and microSD help, it affords extra connectivity than most tablets.
Nevertheless, the elimination of legacy ports like RS-232, obtainable on the unique MicroPC, might be a downside for technicians working with older methods.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been upgraded, but their worth relies on whether or not customers see the advantage of these options in a 7-inch kind issue.
For IT directors, discipline testers, or cellular groups who want a bodily keyboard on the go, it may operate as an environment friendly, task-specific enterprise PC.
But most customers will discover the cramped keyboard, restricted efficiency, and slim software program help too restrictive for common use.
The 512GB model of the MicroPC 2 is at the moment priced at $495 for backers, with retail pricing set at $607.
On the time of writing, it has raised HKD 754,620 (about $96,131.80) in crowdfunding and is scheduled to start transport in September 2025.