Notebookcheck Logo

Gaming handhelds like the AYA NEO, GPD Win 2 and GPD Win 3 already benefit from Windows 11 improvements

The AYA NEO runs Windows 11 well, even with its 7-inch display, as do GPD devices. (Image source: Taki Udon)
The AYA NEO runs Windows 11 well, even with its 7-inch display, as do GPD devices. (Image source: Taki Udon)
Microsoft states that it has designed Windows 11 for displays that are 9-inches or larger. However, a new video has shown that this is not exactly true. Instead, Windows 11 also runs perfectly well on gaming handhelds, such as the AYA NEO, GPD Win 2 and the GPD Win 3. The new OS brings some practical improvements to the small form factor machines too that Windows 10 lacks.

As it stands, one of the basic requirements for running Windows 11 is a 9-inch display, which must also run at 720p with 8-bits per colour channel. However, Taki Udon has shown that this is another arbitrary requirement on Microsoft's behalf, adding to those that we have already discussed about Windows 11's processor and TPM requirements. There is a point to Udon's demonstration, though, as he discusses in the video below.

In short, Windows 11 runs great on gaming handhelds, including the AYA NEO. Udon also demonstrates Windows 11 on a GPD Win 2, GPD Win 3 and GPD Win Max, but the OS should work just as well on other similar devices too, such as the ONEXPLAYER. As Udon discusses below, Windows 11 introduces several tablet-focused changes that also benefit gaming handhelds. For instance, it is now easier to view notifications or widgets, which can be swiped in from the side of the screen. Moreover, Microsoft's improvements to Snap Assist come in handy on a small touchscreen, which the AYA NEO and GPD's machines all have.

Windows 11 also comes with a Graphics preference, which Microsoft has hidden within Gaming in Settings. This setting allows you to assign performance modes per app, although Windows 11 does not currently offer better gaming performance than Windows 10. By default, Windows 11 will assign per-app profiles.

Android app emulation could prove helpful on these gaming handhelds, too. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not included this in its first Insider Preview Build. The new dictation function and keyboard customisation features are improvements on Windows 10's on-screen keyboard, also. Overall, Windows 11 already brings several enhancements to small gaming handhelds, even at this early stage of the Insider Preview program.

Source(s)

Read all 1 comments / answer
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
Mail Logo
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 07 > Gaming handhelds like the AYA NEO, GPD Win 2 and GPD Win 3 already benefit from Windows 11 improvements
Alex Alderson, 2021-07- 2 (Update: 2024-08-15)