A nostalgia-infused gaming innovation has emerged in the form of GPD Win 4, a handheld PC that bears a striking resemblance to the much-loved Sony PlayStation Portable. This sleek device is not just a feast for the eyes, but it's also received a significant performance upgrade. The fresh addition to the GPD family now boasts AMD's latest Ryzen 7000 hardware, promising superior gaming experiences on the go.
This upgrade puts the GPD Win 4 on par with the likes of Asus RoG Ally, which also runs on the new Ryzen 7000 series. But GPD Win 4 differentiates itself by not only carrying the heart of a modern gaming PC but also by embodying the soul of Sony's PSP, complete with a slide-up screen that reveals a hidden keyboard. This feature makes this handheld device an alluring proposition for gamers with a penchant for both past and present.
Looking at the pricing, the newly improved GPD Win 4 is anticipated to retail at a higher tag compared to its predecessor model, which was powered by the AMD Ryzen 6000 APUs. The previous model was priced at $800 for the basic version, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. In contrast, the Asus RoG Ally, showcasing a similar AMD chip, starts at a more affordable $700.
Aside from the impressive QWERTY keyboard tucked neatly beneath the screen, the device also offers options to customize storage and memory. Users could opt for a 2TB or 4TB SSD instead of the base 512GB drive and enhance the RAM to 32GB or 64 GB. But gaming enthusiasts would have to be prepared for a heftier price tag when opting for these upgrades, especially when combining them with the potent Ryzen 7 7840U chip.
Overall, despite the expected high price point, the GPD Win 4 promises to be a fascinating handheld console packed with impressive specs. Its unique blend of modern high-performance hardware and the treasured retro PSP design is sure to attract a strong following. However, the final verdict would depend on the software experience that this gaming marvel delivers and whether its buyers find its price justified. Let's hope the wait until its release in August is worth it!