GPD Win (x86 Computer / Palmtop)

[EvilDragon]

Not everyone has anonymous investors with infinitely deep pockets full of fairy dust.

I like the metal bottom. Hey, ED, maybe you should get the Pyra cases made out of metal...to help with cooling.

That would make the device even more heavy... and our base is a LOT more complex, so VERY expensive to produce it with metal.
We have 0,5mm space between the PCB and the battery compartment and will use that for thermal management.
There we'll plan to add some heat management (mainly heat spreading) and I'm currently contacting some specialized companies about that.

There's just one thing with GPDs solution that scares me a bit:
The metal case will help spread the heat better and your hands will stay a bit cooler.
However, it seems like the battery is VERY close to the heat source, so I'm not sure the metal case will help a lot here.
Hopefully, the battery won't overheat.

 

[SNESFAN]

I really like the metal bottom. It looks great, and I'm sure it will make it more durable and rigid in addition to dissipating heat like on cell phones. If they route the antenna up into the display, and leave that a hard plastic it shouldn't cause too many problems with signal I'm guessing.

 

[fusion_power]

Indeed a nice looking metal case part. I wonder how long it took to make that. And the additional mass production costs of course.

 

[EvilDragon]

Indeed a nice looking metal case part. I wonder how long it took to make that. And the additional mass production costs of course.

Not that much or long, as that part is really, really simple.
That's the bonus for not having a replaceable battery or Stylus inserts - which makes everything a lot more complex-

 

[fusion_power]

The Stylus insert could be still made out of plastic and the battery cover is just an additional hole plus the actual cover. I'm sure it mainly depends how efficient the parts are designed to be made out of metal. The Pyra parts may be not suited for being made 1:1 out of metal. But it should be possible to achive an similar result without adding to much complexity. I mean, the GPD part may be simpler but still has its curves and edges and inserts.
Well, we should not underestimate those Chinese. I'm a little bit impressed how they can push such an device and even seem to listen to improvements.

 

[EvilDragon]

Actually, no, it's not that simple.
Curved metal with a few holes is a lot simpler than our backside.
And a stylus insert is a lot more complex than just cutting a hole inside the metal case and putting a plastic insert in.. it needs to be rounded on the inside, edges need to be smoothed (inside as well), etc.

I've learned quite a lot about case design and how many tools you need for some parts... Pyras case needs about three times as complex moulds as the GPD Win.

 

[Klumpen]

So they're addressing the heat problem with a fan now.

 

[rygD]

Didn't you see the pics blow?

 

[levi]

Yet another GPD update, seems GPD have been busy

Dear Backers:

In addition to the existing internal passive heat dissipation treatment,We are designing a new accessories--a small USB external fan.And the internal structure design also reserved air duct.

Maybe this will help stop people asking for an x86 Pyra.

 

[Klumpen]

Maybe this will help stop people asking for an x86 Pyra.

I don't think so without proper Linux support, a better keyboard, extreme internal storage galore, etc...

 

[FBnil]

Instead of a fan, how about a Scottish pipe, where you generate the wind for the cooling yourself?

 

[levi]

You mean one of these?

I'm not sure how people around you would react to the drone over your shoulder to be honest.

 

[comradekingu]

That wont dissipate heat, it will magasinate it.
In between the battery and the SoC, a flat piece of alu does not a whole lot other than direct heat away, and into said alu.

If they wanted to dissipate, they should have carbon-tube film leading to the sides, where the whole side is replaced by a heasink.
Then again, thats where your hands are. There is a tiny bit of space in the front, but its not ideal given the angle you holde the device at. Heat rises back into the case.

Edit: I see the second now, that will work. If they bend the sides of some added material up they can utilize the most valuable space very easily.

A metal battery-cover for the Pyra, with some way of directing heat to it, would be good. Dont know if it interferes with any signaling though. Needs an isolator between it, and the battery. Could groove the underside of it, and even add a few mm of thichness.

The trick is to direct heat through the holes meant for the clips of the battery cover, or similar. If each moduleboard comes with two pieces of carbon tapes attached, you slide those down into the holes as you screw down the mainboard to the case (after clicking in the moduleboard)
If its rigid, but has kinks in the right places, all that remains is a similar process of attaching it to the metal plate.

 

[Yoyobuae]

Hmm, what about phase change materials? They are like a thermal battery of sorts.

They do not dissipate the heat, but can extend the run time before temperature becomes too hot.

The different kinds of PCM have different working temperatures, so they can be adjusted to a temperature suitable for a portable device. So probably one with a melting temperature above room temp (so that it freezes when device is left idle) but low enough to be useful.

According to wikipedia, some PCMs can "eat" around 200 Joules per gram when melting. Assuming 2W of heat generated, then 1 gram of the PCM could "eat" that heat for 100 seconds. 30 grams could "eat" that heat for 50 minutes. Sounds plausible.

EDIT: Hmm, finding the space for it could be a problem at around 1 g/cm^3 density, it could take quite a bit of space which a mobile device doesn't have.

 

[comradekingu]

Sounds like an ineffective bomb.

 

[ible]

interesting nonetheless! here's a link i found, of a company that does it... (supposedly even for electronic stuff):
http://climator.com/climator-en/?lang=en

 

[vcoleiro1]

GPD WIN Battery has been upgraded to 6900mAh (From 6000mAh previously)

New update on the Chinese GPD WIN crowdfunding site.

"Hello everyone, this release an update on the battery, in order to let everyone in on GPDWIN a better life experience, we decided the original capacity of 6000 mAh lithium expanded to a capacity of 6900 mA capacity lithium battery . Special release this update, thank you for support."

 

[Klumpen]

GPD WIN Battery has been upgraded to 6900mAh (From 6000mAh previously)

New update on the Chinese GPD WIN crowdfunding site.

"Hello everyone, this release an update on the battery, in order to let everyone in on GPDWIN a better life experience, we decided the original capacity of 6000 mAh lithium expanded to a capacity of 6900 mA capacity lithium battery . Special release this update, thank you for support."

Well, that's an alternative to software optimization, I guess.
Are there any infos about the current weight?

 

[Exophase]

Well, that's an alternative to software optimization, I guess.

There's probably not an awful lot that GPD themselves can actually optimize anyway.

 

[comradekingu]

It runs Windows 10, leaving at least one thing to improve upon.

So they added an optional fan, and then extra battery to support the extra power the fan uses.
Leaving you with one less port. I suppose its good to have options, but it means a set of them that does away with some convenience.
A further divide between power-games with mouse and keyboard, and handheldgames with just the handheld and fan.

If there wasn't a lot of handheld-games using the power before, there aren't any even more power-hungry handheld-games now. So it serves a purpose mostly in future, docked or USB-hub-like conditions.