GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 Review
-
Design
-
Build Quality
-
Display
-
Performance
Summary
Pros
- High performance AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 & Radeon 890M GPU
- Large, comfortable keyboard and gaming controls
- Large 10.1″ display with up to 1600P resolution
- eGPU support with OCuLink
- Very portable mini laptop
Cons
- Some gamers may need to rest it on their lap or desk for longer gaming periods
User Review
( votes)
GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 Handheld PC for Gaming
The GPD WIN MAX 2 family has consistently stood out as one of the finest options for both everyday mini laptop tasks and handheld PC for gaming. In this GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review, we explore the newest addition to the lineup, which comes equipped with the cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI HX 370 processor. Throughout our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review, we’ll compare this model to previous versions from 2022 to 2024 and other devices featuring the HX 370 CPU to see if it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 Overview
Dimensions & Weight
Measuring roughly 8.9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches (22.7 x 16 x 2.3 cm) and weighing 1098g (2.42 lbs), the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 is a well-built compact gaming PC that combines portability and performance. This portable gaming PC easily slips into a small bag or rucksack, making it equally suitable as a mobile gaming PC and a reliable mini laptop for daily tasks.
Display and Camera
Flip open the lid, and you’re greeted by a vibrant 10.1” display. The default resolution is 1200P, with support for up to 1600P. It’s also a touchscreen compatible with active styluses offering up to 4096 pressure levels.
On the hinge, there’s a 2MP camera capable of a 1612×1212 super wide-angle resolution with a high refresh rate. It’s adequate for video calls, though it would have been nice to see something on par with the excellent camera found on the GPD Duo.
Hidden Gaming Controls and Touchpad
Beneath removable covers (which conveniently store on the back of the device), you’ll find dual analogue sticks, a D-Pad, and the usual gaming buttons. In the center, there’s a pressable touchpad for left and right clicks. While its top placement might feel odd at first, it quickly becomes second nature.
Keyboard and Fingerprint Scanner
A generously sized keyboard covers much of the base, with keys that are comfortable and well-spaced. This entire GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review was typed on the device without any discomfort. The power button sits on the front, integrating a fingerprint scanner for speedy and secure logins.
Connectivity and Ports
On the left side of the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025, you’ll find both a full-size and a microSD card reader, which is always a welcome addition. The right side houses two USB 3.2 ports for peripherals, while the back features trigger and shoulder buttons on either side. Along the middle area, there are two USB 4 ports for high-speed devices, an HDMI 2.1 port, and an OCuLink port for eGPU connectivity. Rounding things out is a 3.5mm audio jack.
Technical Specifications of the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025
In this section of our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review, let’s delve deeper into what’s under the hood. There are two main models available with AMD Ryzen 7 8840U and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU:
GPD WIN MAX 2 Series Specifications
| GPD WIN MAX 2 2022 | GPD WIN MAX 2 2023 | GPD WIN MAX 2 2024/2025 | GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 | |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, 8 cores, 16 threads up to up to 4.7 GHz | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, 8 cores, 16 threads up to 5.1 GHz | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, 8 cores, 16 threads up to 5.1GHz | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 12 cores, 14 threads up to 5.1GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 680M up to 2,200Mhz | AMD Radeon 780M up to 2,700Mhz | AMD Radeon 780M up to 2,700Mhz | AMD Radeon 890M up to 2,900MHz |
| BUY | HERE | HERE | HERE |
GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 Tech Specs
| DISPLAY | 10.1 inches, up to 2560×100 resolution, IPS, 60Hz, 16:10, 299 PPI (RGB) |
| RAM | 32GB or 64GB LPDDR5X |
| STORAGE | 1TB, 2TB or 4TB NVMe PCIE 4.0 2280 |
| WI-FI | 6E |
| BLUETOOTH | 5.3 |
| I/O | 2x USB 4.0 Type-C 1x OCuLink 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen2 1x HDMI 2.1 1x SD Card Slot 1x Micro SD Card Slot |
| BATTERY | 67Wh rechargeable battery |
In a looped Cinebench test at full brightness and 28W TDP, it lasted about 1 hour 20 minutes—roughly 20 minutes longer than the GPD Win 4 2025 and GPD WIN Mini 2025. Under normal use, you can expect between 3–6 hours depending on what you’re doing. When stress-tested with Cinebench, fan noise peaked at 68.8 dB and temperatures hit 55°C.
System Benchmarks
Our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review includes direct comparisons with earlier WIN MAX 2 releases (6800U to 8840U) and other HX 370-based devices. Below are the benchmark results:
PassMark
The GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 scored 8,334, which is a 32% performance jump over the 6800U and an 11% boost compared to the 8840U.
PCMark
With a result of 7,292, there’s a 20% performance increase over the 6800U.
Compared to other HX 370 devices, the scores land around the average mark.
Geekbench 6
Scoring 2,851 in single-core and 12,252 in multi-core, this shows a 42% improvement over the 6800U. Against the 8840U, that’s a 13% gain in single-core and 3% in multi-core.
When stacked against other HX 370 devices, single-core results are roughly the same, with multi-core coming in just behind the ONEXFLY F1 Pro.
Cinebench 2024
The GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 scores 113 in single-core and 893 in multi-core, registering a 31% and 46% gain over the 6800U, respectively. In comparison to the 8840U, that’s around 12% and 17% more performance.
Against other HX 370 models, it falls slightly behind in single-core, but hovers around average in multi-core scores.
3DMark
We ran Time Spy, Night Raid, and Fire Strike. Results show a 29%–45% boost over the 6800U, and a 16%–22% jump compared to the 8840U.
Against other HX 370 handhelds, it tops Time Spy, dips a bit below average on Night Raid, and hits around average on Fire Strike.
Gaming Benchmarks
No GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review is complete without checking gaming performance. Below are some specific results:
Forza Horizon 5
At 720P resolution, the game clocked 146 FPS, and at 1080P it reached 117 FPS. Compared to the 6800U, that’s around a 37% and 58% uplift. Versus the 8840U, it’s 12% and 17%.
Among HX-based competitors, it delivers well above average frame rates, even claiming the top spot at 1080P.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk shows a 31% and 49% performance jump over the 6800U, making it one of the most notable improvements we’ve seen. However, compared to the 8840U, gains are more modest at 4% and 21%.
In comparison to other HX-based hardware, the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 scores a few first-place spots and otherwise maintains solid mid-to-high-range FPS.
Sadly, Shadow of the Tomb Raider refused to run, crashing back to the desktop upon startup.
Benchmark Summary
So far in our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review, the device shows significant jumps over the original 6800U model—comparable to what we saw in the GPD WIN 4 2025. While the difference between the 7840U or 8840U is smaller, certain games and programs see more than a 20% increase in performance.
Gaming Performance
In this section of our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review, we take a closer look at how this portable gaming PC performs under real-world gaming conditions. Although synthetic benchmarks offer valuable insights, hands-on testing with a variety of titles provides a more tangible measure of the device’s capabilities. Across different genres—from action-adventure to open-world simulation—the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 generally maintains stable frame rates and visually pleasing graphics, even when pushing higher resolutions or moderate to high settings.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Running at 720P with Medium settings, locked to 30 FPS at 28W TDP, the game plays smoothly with minimal hitching.
Goat Simulator Remastered
Here, we ran it at 2560×1600 on High graphics settings at 28W TDP. Performance was consistently stable.
No Man’s Sky
Using the Standard graphics setting at 2560×1600 and 28W TDP, gameplay remained fluid with no major frame drops.
Little Kitty Big City
At 2560×1600 resolution on High settings (28W TDP), there was mild screen tearing on Max settings, but dropping down to High resolved it.
Overthrown
We tested at 2560×1600 with AMD-FSR Balanced at 28W TDP. Adjusting TDP or FSR settings further could save power if needed.
Heroes of Hammerwatch II
Played at 2560×1600 with 8W TDP, it managed smooth frame rates. At 5W TDP, there were slight frame drops, so 8W provided the sweet spot.
Overall, the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review shows that this compact gaming PC strikes a harmonious balance between power and portability. Whether you’re diving into sprawling open-world adventures or indulging in indie favorites, this mobile gaming PC handles modern titles at respectable settings and resolutions, making it an excellent choice for on-the-go gamers who also need a capable mini laptop for day-to-day tasks.
Emulation Performance
In this GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review, it’s important to highlight that emulation performance on this compact gaming PC extends impressively up to titles from the PlayStation 3 era. You can easily relive classic console libraries without worrying about slowdowns or major compatibility issues. For instance, if you begin by exploring the original PlayStation using DuckStation, you will find near-perfect emulation. DuckStation allows you to enhance the visuals by raising the rendering resolution and applying additional graphical tweaks, effectively modernizing the look of classic games without compromising performance.
Moving on to PlayStation 2 emulation through PCSX2, the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 testing shows that this portable gaming PC can handle PS2-era games with ease. There is plenty of headroom to increase resolutions and apply advanced settings, resulting in smoother frame rates and clearer textures compared to playing on original hardware. Even at higher resolutions, performance generally remains stable, showcasing the device’s robust hardware capabilities.
When comparing this to the GPD WIN 4 2023/2024 or other similarly powered mobile gaming PC devices, the difference in raw emulation performance is not enormous. However, the incremental boosts in CPU and GPU power can make certain demanding games more comfortable to run, or allow you to enable more aggressive graphical enhancements. This can be the deciding factor in ensuring a locked 60 FPS in certain titles or pushing to a higher internal resolution for sharper visuals.
The Vita3K emulator also shows promising results on this handheld gaming computer, efficiently running most PS Vita titles that are compatible with the emulator. In many cases, you can raise the rendering resolution or apply graphical enhancements to achieve better image quality. Overall, if your goal is to explore retro and semi-modern gaming libraries on a portable gaming computer that also excels at day-to-day tasks, the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 stands out as a capable and versatile choice.
eGPU Support
GPD G1 (2024) eGPU Docking Station
One key aspect of this GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review is the inclusion of an OCuLink port, which goes beyond the capabilities of standard USB 4 connections when it comes to external GPUs. By connecting a device like the GPD G1 eGPU docking station via OCuLink, you gain significantly higher bandwidth that translates into a notable leap in graphics performance.
Not only does this elevate gaming capabilities, but it also substantially boosts efficiency in professional tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, or other graphically intensive workflows. For users seeking a portable gaming PC that can scale up to desktop-level graphics power, the OCuLink port integration is a game-changer.
Final Thoughts
Our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review demonstrates that the larger size of this compact gaming PC doesn’t make it any less compelling for those seeking a fusion of gaming performance and everyday productivity. It’s consistently outstanding as both a mobile gaming PC and a mini laptop.
When it comes to pure gaming, the new HX 370 CPU and Radeon 890M GPU show a massive leap over the original 6800U. If you have that older model, upgrading is an easy decision. The performance gap between the 7840U or 8840U is smaller, but as we’ve seen, games can see notable gains.
For day-to-day tasks, the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 delivers laptop-level efficiency in a much more portable gaming computer form factor. Its comfortable keyboard, high-resolution touchscreen, and active stylus support make it ideal for writing, graphic design, or video editing on the go. Despite being larger than some alternatives, it remains easy to carry, straddling the line between a standard laptop and a handheld gaming computer.
In conclusion, this GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review highlights a device that brings together the best of both worlds. Within mere seconds, you can switch from typing out reports to playing your favorite games. If you’ve been searching for a single machine that offers solid productivity and enjoyable gaming, the GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 is an excellent choice!
We hope you have found our GPD WIN MAX 2 2025 review useful to see if it is best suited for your requirements. If you do have any questions, please ask in the comments and we will reply back ASAP.
