How to Make the Most of the GPD Win 3
I recently wrote about the short comings I found in my short time with the GPD Win 3. If only reading that, you might assume that I dislike the system, and am having no fun with it. Quite the contrary, I have barely set the system down long enough to charge it since it showed up on my door step.
Below, are a few things I have done to ensure I am having the best experience with the system, and I recommend you do the same.
Tablet Mode Only
Look, Windows 10 tablet mode is garbage, especially you’ve ever used Android, or have — I don’t know — walked by someone using an iPad. But, to get the most out of the Win 3, you need to use tablet mode exclusively. By using Live Tiles for all your games and software, you can avoid picking through the minuscule Windows menu, or having to use search, or (even worse) Cortana.
I went into settings, and set my system to boot up with tablet mode enabled every time, and it has drastically improved my quality of life on the Win 3.
Accessibility Settings
This screen will make even the most eagle-eyed of us feel like an old man with cataracts. The accessibility settings can help alleviate that by enlarging system text. I nearly doubled the text size in my system, but your mileage may vary.
Custom Scale Factor
Again, Windows on a 5.5 inch screen is horrendous, but there is a work around to make it a little easier, if you know where to find it. Custom scale factor can boost the size of the interface, but it can also make it impossible to launch some games, so be careful. I only went as high as 125%. I tried 150%, and I could not launch Genshin Impact because the buttons are too far off screen.
This feature is pretty far buried, so follow these steps:
- Settings
- System
- Display
- Scroll to Scale and Layout
- Select the link Advance Scale Settings
- Turn the feature on and enter your custom scale setting (Do 125% to start, and see how you like it)
- Restart your system
Get Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd
If you’re like me, you haven’t done PC gaming before. As such, the idea of dropping money on games after dropping several hundred dollars on the Win 3 may be a bit too much to expect. So why not get free games.
Genshin and Honkai are gacha games, and are free to play. Both have microtransactions, but they are not necessary to enjoy the game. Genshin is an RPG similar to Breath of the Wild, while Honkai is a beat’em up, kind of like a lewd-free version of Senran Kagura. Both are quality games that have kept me engaged. They have definitely taken up the majority of my time.
Unlike other methods of free games — emulators and such — getting Genshin and Honkai Impact do not require additional setup, tweaking to the system, or a knowledge of how and where to get game ISO’s in order to play.
Have a Second Monitor
Setting up accounts on web pages not designed for the Win 3 is a real hassle. Text is unreadable. Text boxes a too small to tap on. Make use of that Thunderbolt video output, and project the Win 3 on a larger monitor to make setup easier. I wish I’d done this at the beginning. It would have save me a ton of time.
If nothing else, make sure you do this.
Download your favorite streaming services
Sometimes the best way to chill is to watch your favorites show, or read your favorite book. Make sure you’ve got your Netflix, Crunchyroll, Kindle reading to go. It’s Windows 10 after all. Get the most out of that Windows Store.
That’s all for now. Enjoy
