GPD MicroPC 2 Launched: A 7-Inch Rotatable Screen Mobile Productivity Tool with Feature-Rich Ports

 

Last year, players were already inquiring about when MicroPC would be updated. After all, the first generation launched in 2019, and it only received a minor processor update from the N4100 to the N4120 in 2021. This means it has been a full six years without a true generational update release.

 

MicroPC gained popularity among many users due to its compact and portable design, low power consumption, rich port selection, comfortable grip, thumb-operable mouse buttons and touchpad, along with the excellent tactile experience of its wedge-shaped metal membrane keyboard featuring firm keypress rebound. These attributes are the reasons why the first generation remained a sustained sales success.

 

MicroPC 2 is Here! Size Comparison with Pocket 4

 

 

MicroPC 2 ‌retains its predecessor's compact, portable, and low-power design‌, ‌while upgrading the screen from 6 inches to 7 inches‌. Remarkably, the entire device ‌weighs only approximately 50 grams more than the first generation‌ at a net weight of 490 grams.

 

The device ‌features an Intel N250 processor‌ with a ‌4-core/4-thread design‌ and a ‌turbo boost frequency of up to 3.8GHz‌. Operating within a ‌6~15W TDP range‌, it delivers ‌low power consumption, high performance, and ultra-quiet operation‌.

 

Under a 15W TDP configuration, the MicroPC 2 achieves a ‌3x improvement in CPU performance compared to the previous-generation MicroPC‌, making it ‌ideal for mobile office work and multimedia presentations‌.

 

 

 

‌Equipped with the next-generation high-efficiency Intel Processor N250‌

 

Although mini PCs equipped with the N250 processor currently exist, the ‌MicroPC 2 remains the world's first handheld device‌ that integrates a ‌7-inch screen‌, the ‌Intel N250 processor‌, and the ‌Windows 11 24H2 Pro operating system‌. ‌Other devices with similar specifications‌, such as Acer's Chromebooks, ‌run on Android instead‌.

 

 

What are the advantages of the Intel N250 processor?

 

Featuring ‌4 Efficiency Cores (E-cores)‌ – a key component of Intel's hybrid architecture introduced since the 12th Generation – this design targets optimized power efficiency. The E-cores handle multithreaded tasks and background processes at low power consumption, enhancing multi-core throughput while reducing overall system energy usage.

 

Intel's hybrid architecture (P-core + E-core) debuted with the 12th Generation processors:

 

P-cores‌ support ‌Hyper-Threading‌ and specialize in ‌single-threaded burst performance‌ for heavy-load/high-priority tasks.

 

12th Gen P-cores‌ used the ‌Golden Cove‌ microarchitecture, later evolving to ‌Raptor Cove‌ in 13th‒14th Generations.

 

E-cores‌ retained the ‌Gracemont‌ microarchitecture through all generations (12th‒14th Gen).

 

The ‌N250 processor exclusively utilizes four Gracemont E-cores‌. While delivering ≈‌60-70% of P-core single-thread performance‌, each E-core consumes ‌only one-third the power‌ of a P-core.

 

 

Single-core crushes multi-core

 

According to ‌Geekbench 6 CPU benchmarks‌, the ‌N250 delivers a 3× performance uplift‌ compared to its predecessor in the MicroPC line (equipped with the ‌N4120‌ processor). We further contextualized these results by cross-referencing legacy processors deployed in earlier devices:

 

Intel N6000‌
‌Core m3-8100Y‌
‌Intel N4120‌
‌Intel Atom Z8750

 

Additionally, ‌Switch 2's CPU metrics‌ were incorporated for comparative analysis. As demonstrated in the table below, ‌the N250's single-core score surpasses the N4120's multi-core score‌.

 

 

MicroPC 2 benchmark results (15W TDP): https://browser.geekbench.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=N250

 

 

Regarding Switch 2's CPU testing, please refer to "极客湾Geekerwan"  video "全球首开Switch 2芯片！性能到底有多强？" Although simulated, ‌Geekerwan's actual test data remains the most accessible reference available‌ via the links below.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXX9n62N72s

 

 

 

5× GPU performance uplift over predecessor (integrated graphics)

 

 

The N250 still utilizes ‌UHD integrated graphics‌ featuring ‌32 Execution Units (EUs)‌ and ‌256 Shading Units (SUs)‌. With a memory frequency reaching ‌1.25 GHz‌, it delivers:

• 768.0 GFLOPS‌ half-precision (FP16) compute performance
• ‌384.0 GFLOPS‌ single-precision (FP32) compute performance

‌At 15W TDP‌, this configuration achieves a ‌5× GPU performance uplift over the previous-generation MicroPC‌.

 

 

Actual benchmark data for MicroPC 2's integrated graphics (Vulkan & OpenCL): https://browser.geekbench.com/search?k=v6_compute&q=N250

 

 

 

 

16GB LPDDR5 4800 MT/s

 

The memory configuration features ‌16GB LPDDR5‌ running at ‌4800 MT/s‌, delivering ‌38.4 GB/s bandwidth‌. This enables ‌smooth multitasking with multiple applications running simultaneously‌ – no bottlenecks or stuttering.

 

 

First-ever support for dual-sided SSDs‌, enabling expandable storage to eliminate capacity anxiety

 

The standard configuration includes a ‌512GB M.2 2280 SSD‌ with ‌PCIe Gen3×4‌ interface. The motherboard supports ‌dual-sided SSDs‌, allowing users to replace it with higher-capacity drives. For instance, current dual-sided SSDs offer up to ‌8TB capacity‌ – with ‌unlimited scalability‌ and ‌no capacity constraints‌. Peak read/write speeds reach ‌3.94GB/s‌, delivering ‌significant productivity gains‌.

 

 

Some viewers mistook the product renders for a metal chassis. Please note:
‌MicroPC 2 uses aerospace-grade LG-DOW 121H impact-resistant ABS polymer‌ (identical to the original MicroPC), featuring ‌V-0 flammability rating‌ and ‌UV-coated finish‌.

 

 

As rugged as the MicroPC and validated through ‌5-meter drop testing‌. I've located the previous ‌5-meter drop test video‌ created by a YouTube user—feel free to watch it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qwm0J9hDyo

 

Describe the differences between MicroPC 2 and its first generation, as well as Pocket 4

 

First, it adopts the same T-shaped hinge as the Pocket 4, allowing the screen to rotate counterclockwise and flip backward into tablet mode. This enables MicroPC users to also experience tablet functionality.

 

In tablet mode, users can experience Windows tablet functionality or install Linux systems independently. We have tested several well-known Linux distributions, and stable Linux kernel releases from recent months—including versions 6.15, 6.14, 6.13, and 6.12—all demonstrate excellent support.

 

 

Second, the MicroPC 2 features a maximum opening angle of 180 degrees, providing a true bird's-eye view, while the first generation model maxed out at 150 degrees.

 

Third, the MicroPC 2 features an M.2 (Socket 3) SSD interface based on the PCIe NVMe 1.3 protocol, supporting double-sided M.2 2280 SSDs with read/write speeds approaching 4,000 MB/s. In contrast, the original MicroPC utilizes an M.2 (Socket 2) port bound by the SATA 3.0 AHCI protocol, limiting compatibility to M.2 2242 SSDs capped at ~500 MB/s transfer rates. This outdated specification faces significant drawbacks. This generational leap transforms the MicroPC 2 into a high-performance mobile workstation, while the original MicroPC’s storage architecture reflects legacy constraints.

 

 

Fourth: Equipped with a 7-inch LCD display, the MicroPC 2 weighs 490 grams with dimensions of 171.2mm × 110.8mm × 23.5mm. In comparison, the original MicroPC weighs 440 grams and measures 153mm × 113mm × 23.5mm. Although the second generation is 50g heavier, it remains compact and offers superior portability over the Pocket 4 model.

 

 

 

 

Fifth: The MicroPC 2 features ‌battery threshold management‌ and supports ‌direct charging mode‌. While the original MicroPC also offers direct charging capability, it lacks battery threshold customization. The key advantages of direct charging (bypass power) include.

 

 

Sixth: The MicroPC 2 maintains compatibility with mainstream ‌PD-compatible power banks‌ that support output profiles of ‌9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, or 20V/2.25A‌. Modern power banks universally integrate multi-protocol support, enabling simultaneous charging for both the MicroPC 2 and smartphones. With a maximum TDP of ‌15W‌ and typical system power consumption around ‌~20W‌, the device achieves full compatibility with virtually all ‌100W-rated power banks‌.

 

 

Seventh: Compared to the Pocket 4, the MicroPC 2 delivers superior ‌ergonomics for two-handed operation‌, enabling natural ‌thumb typing‌ and precise ‌trackpad/mouse control‌. The Pocket 4 exhibits noticeable ‌reach limitations‌ during thumb-centric operation, making it better suited for traditional ‌two-handed typing scenarios‌.

 

 

Eighth: The MicroPC 2 comes pre-installed with ‌Windows 11 Pro 24H2‌, offering enhanced enterprise-grade capabilities absent in the Pocket 4's Home edition. Key professional features include:

• ‌BitLocker Drive Encryption‌ (enabled by default in 24H2 clean installs)
• ‌Hyper-V virtualization‌ and ‌Windows Sandbox‌ isolation
• ‌Group Policy Management‌ and ‌Active Directory integration‌
• ‌Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)‌ host functionality
• ‌Update deployment control‌ and domain administration tools

‌Linux Compatibility‌: Recent stable kernels (versions 6.12 to 6.15) deliver ‌near-perfect support‌ for the Intel N250 processor across mainstream distributions, with only ‌gravity sensor recognition‌ requiring specific calibration adjustments in some environments.

 

 

Ninth: The MicroPC 2 features a ‌7-inch Retina-grade display‌ employing ‌LTPS technology‌ with ‌6th Gen Corning Gorilla Glass‌, enhanced by ‌AF anti-fingerprint coating‌. Key specifications include ‌500nit brightness‌, ‌97% DCI-P3 color gamut‌, ‌1080P resolution‌ (16:9 aspect ratio), ‌314ppi pixel density‌, ‌60Hz refresh rate‌, and ‌DC dimming‌—representing a substantial generational leap in visual quality.

 

‌Regarding MicroPC‌, users likely focus more on expandability. Consider this the final chapter: we'll detail all ports and provide a comparison table highlighting differences with the first-generation model—giving existing users a clearer visual reference.

 

Initially, I was skeptical about the N250, primarily because Intel seemed uninvested. The I/O section of the N250’s spec page didn’t even list supported USB types—forcing engineers to blindly guess.

 

This issue isn’t unique to the N250. Intel’s product spec pages consistently lack critical details, with arbitrary headings and missing standard parameters—pushing users to scour search engines.

 

AMD excels in this regard. Their granular documentation clarifies how to maximize the chip’s potential.

‌But after testing MicroPC 2’s engineering prototype, I was truly astonished!

 

Two USB Type-C ports‌, compliant with the ‌USB 3.2 Gen2 specification‌,

supporting ‌full functionality‌ and delivering ‌10Gbps maximum speed‌

 

 

The rear of MicroPC 2 features two Full-Feature USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports‌, delivering ‌10Gbps maximum speed‌, supporting ‌PD fast-charging protocol‌ and ‌DisplayPort 1.4‌. These ports enable ‌DCI 4K native digital video output‌ with a maximum resolution of ‌4096 × 2160@60Hz‌.

 

 

 

‌In other words, you can connect two 4K/60Hz displays externally via the Type-C ports.‌ Although these ports support DisplayPort 1.4, they ‌cannot achieve 8K@60Hz, 4K@144Hz, or 120Hz‌. The primary limitation lies in the ‌integrated GPU’s lack of support for VESA’s DSC (Display Stream Compression) visually lossless transmission technology‌.

Meeting the requirements for VESA DSC demands ‌three non-negotiable conditions‌:

• The GPU must support ‌DSC v1.2 encoding‌ at minimum;
• The DisplayPort cable must guarantee a bandwidth of ‌at least 25.82Gbps‌;
• The display must support ‌DSC decoding‌ (requiring a built-in display controller compatible with DSC v1.2 or later).

‌All three conditions must be simultaneously satisfied.

 

There is a small detail to mention here:

 

4K has two standards: 3840 × 2160 is the commonly known Ultra High Definition (UHD), which starts from vertical 720P and expands by 1.5 times (1080P), 2 times (1440P), and 3 times (2160P). On the other hand, Intel's integrated graphics seem to focus more on the ceremonial aspect, with 4096 × 2160 also being classified as 4K. This standard was proposed by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) organization, starting from horizontal 1024 as 1K and gradually expanding to 2048, 4096, and 8192. Clearly, Intel's integrated graphics take a more comprehensive approach, also indicating that it can directly display DCI 4K digital films.

 

Since it's a full-featured port, it can support a full-featured hub

 

One connection, infinite possibilities! Connect whatever you need—after all, it’s a full-featured device! With the USB Type-C multifunctional port, easily expand to a full-featured hub, instantly unlocking new ways for multi-device collaboration. Connect your keyboard, mouse, USB drive, and monitor with a single touch, seamlessly switching between gaming and work, and infusing more possibilities into your digital life.

 

 

Two USB Type-A ports, USB 3.2 Gen 2, both reaching full speed of 10 Gbps,

support connecting multiple A-port hubs to expand more peripherals

 

Honestly, this hadn’t occurred to me before—for N-series products, you’re typically capped at just 2–6 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and you’re expected to be grateful for that!

 

 

The MicroPC 2 chassis is equipped with ‌two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports‌:

• One positioned ‌on the rear panel‌
• One located ‌on the right side, adjacent to the power button‌.

 

 

All Type-A ports support 10Gbps transfer rates‌, enabling ‌data transmission at up to 1000MB/s‌. This provides ‌greater bandwidth for expandable hub connectivity‌, allowing simultaneous connection to multiple USB devices—

• Storage (e.g., external HDDs)
• Peripherals (printers, scanners, keyboards, mice)
• Audio/gaming gear (speakers, controllers)
• Additional hubs

—‌without requiring frequent plug-swapping‌.

 

‌One HDMI 2.1 port‌, supporting ‌4K/60Hz output‌
the MicroPC 2 ‌supports up to three external 4K/60Hz displays‌ simultaneously

 

 

One HDMI 2.1 port‌ based on TMDS protocol, supporting resolutions ‌up to 4096 × 2160@60Hz‌. ‌With the internal display disabled‌, the MicroPC 2 can drive ‌up to three 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously‌ via its HDMI and Type-C ports.

 

 

It should also be noted that ‌HDMI 2.1 utilizes the legacy TMDS protocol‌ (effectively equivalent to ‌early HDMI 2.0‌). Due to ‌bandwidth constraints‌, HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) ‌only supports 4K@60Hz with YUV 4:2:0 chroma subsampling‌; ‌full RGB color requires reducing the refresh rate to 4K@30Hz‌.