GPD MicroPC: More information on the UMPC coming soon on Indiegogo
GPD’s MicroPC was introduced in December 2018, so more information is now available. First things first: an Intel Celeron N4100 with UHD Graphics 600, 4 GB of LPDDR4-RAM, 128 GB of M.2 2242-SSD, and a 6-inch Gorilla Glass 4 display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, 245 ppi, and a contrast ratio of 3,000:1. In this size there are a remarkable number of connectivity options available: three USB 3.0 Type A and one Type C ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI-2.0 port, a RS-232 port, a microSDXC card reader slot, and a 3.5mm jack connection. Wireless connections are available via Wifi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.2
The manufacturer GPD likes to draw direct comparisons with the Microsoft Surface Go (8 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD), and emphasizes that the MicroPC, at 6 inches instead of 10 inches is not only smaller and 82 grams lighter, but thanks to the Indiegogo campaign is also US$200 cheaper. In addition, the GPD has three USB ports, an HDMI and a RS-232 connection, and an Ethernet port more than the Surface Go. With regards to performance, in single-core mode with its 8th Goldmont+ generation Celeron, the MicroPC is just behind the Surface Go, and in multithread mode just ahead.
GPD is also proud of the extremely tough housing. It provides protection against fire, flames, and very high temperatures, has a hardness level of 109R on the Rockwell scale, and a bending strength of 26,000 kg/cm². In the 5-meter drop test, the MicroPC scored 97.63 percent.
Special considerations have been made in regard to the keyboard. With so little space to work with, GPD worked to place the keys thoughtfully. The number keys have been left-aligned, so that the user can operate them with their left hand. On the upper part of the right side is a touchpad, with which the mouse can be moved. A trackpoint, found on the GPD Pocket, is not a feature of the MicroPC.
Since the MicroPC with its 128 GB of SSD is not very lavishly equipped, GPD provides a microSDXC card reader slot on the left, which can be used with microSD cards with up to 2 TB of memory. The minimum random read/write I/O performance is 4000 IOPS/2000 IOPS, and the maximum data transfer rate is 104 MB/s.
The GPD MicroPC will be delivered with either Windows 10 Pro or Ubunto MATE 18.10. The special Indiegogo price as previously reported, is US$299; after the Indiegogo campaign the retail price will be US$399.
GPD has completed several successful Indiegogo campaigns over the past two years. One of the most successful was a mini PC, the GPD Pocket. In 2018 came its follow-up, the GPD Pocket 2, which raised over two million dollars in financing and was available in two versions: the stronger GPD Pocket 2 with either four or eight GB of RAM, equipped with the Intel Core m3-8100Y, and the cheaper version, the GPD Pocket 2 Amber Black, with a power-saving Intel Celeron 3965Y.