GPD Pocket 4 Review: Modular Full-featured Handheld AI PC

Remember the GPD Pocket 4 indiegogo campaign launched as one of the most ambitious crowdfunding campaigns for a handheld AI PC. Marketed as a pint-sized workstation with modular ports, AI acceleration and LTE support. It promised to shrink the power of a desktop into your jacket pocket. But after the hype, the real question is: Did the GPD Pocket 4 deliver or did it shrink expectations instead? Let’s find out in the reviews.

Overview of the Project

The GPD Pocket 4 raised $10,393,156 HKD from 1,814 backers and also later on raised $7,406,690 HKD by 1,330 backers on indiegogo. With over $17,799,846 raised and 3,144 backers, expectations were sky-high. The campaign positioned it as the ultimate modular micro-machine, flexible, powerful and future-ready. At it’s core, the GPD Pocket 4 was pitched as a portable workstation for developers, creators and AI enthusiasts. Unlike most handheld PCs, this wasn’t just about gaming, it was about AI workloads, sever management and serious productivity.

Key promises included:

• AI-capable Ryzen 9 HX 370 chip with on-device LLM support
• USB4, HDMI 2.1, dual USB-As, 2.5GbE, RS-232, fingerprint sensor
• 144Hz 2.5K touchscreen that flips, folds and spins
• Hot-swappable modular ports including KVM and LTE options
• Compact footprint smaller than most paperbacks but specked like a workstation 

It was marketed as a Swiss Army knife for power users, but has real-world usage lived up to this vision?

 Specs That Rival Desktops

On paper, the GPD Pocket 4 looked unbeatable:

• CPU/GPU: AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 with AI acceleration
• Display: 144Hz 2.5K touchscreen, foldable and rotatable
• Connectivity: USB4, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, RS-232, fingerprint sensor
• Modularity: LTE-ready, KVM control for server admins, hot-swappable expansion
• Design: Portable form factor with more ports than many laptops

For developers and AI enthusiasts, this was pitched as a local LLM workstation you could carry anywhere.

Everyday Use: A Workstation or Just Hype?

The crowdfunding pitch was flawless, but in real-life, performance matters.

• Typing Experience: Was the mini keyboard usable for long sessions or just short bursts?
• Hinge Durability: Could it handle constant flipping, folding and rotating?
• Linux Support: Did it boot smoothly or require days of setup?
• Battery Life: Marketed as up to 9 hours, but did it hold under AI workloads or heavy multitasking?

AI in Your Pocket or Just a Fancy Brick?

Backers were promised AI-native performance with on-device LLMs. But: 

• Did the AI chip handle workloads smoothly or throttle under heat?
• Were thermal issues a dealbreaker?
• Could it really replace a mobile de-station or was it more concept than reality?

Backers, Your Turn

If you backed the GPD Pocket 4, we want your hands-on stories: 

• Did it arrive on time?
• How does it perform in real-world AI workloads?
• Is the keyboard and hinge durable for daily use?
• What’s the battery life like under pressure?

Drop your photos, benchmarks and unboxings. Share both the success stories and frustrations.

Read more: KIMBLADE X Review: Luxury Performance for Every Car

Final Thoughts: Did the GPD Pocket 4 Deliver?

The GPD Pocket 4 was one of the most exciting crowdfunded AI PCs in recent years. On paper, it promised everything: power, modularity, portability and AI-readiness. But the real-world story depends on backers:

• Was it worth the crowdfunding price?
• Did it actually change your workflow with local AI or server management?
• Or was it another overhyped gadget that never reached it’s potential?

Because for a device built on versatility, AI acceleration and modular design, the final verdict can only come from you, the backers.

Visit Campaign: GPD Pocket 4: Modular Full-featured Handheld AI PC