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The GPD Pocket 3 is a mini-laptop with an 8 inch touchscreen display, a swivel hinge that lets you flip the screen 180 degrees and fold it down flat over the keyboard for use in tablet mode, and full-sized HDMI and Ethernet ports.

It also stands out because it’s a modular laptop: you can remove the USB Type-A port on the back and replace it with a module to add functionality to the little laptop. When GPD launched the Pocket 3 last year, there were three modules available. But now the company introduced another module: a microSD card reader that sells for $30.

GPD Pocket 3 with USB-A, RS-232 and KVM modules

The microSD card reader module supports theoretical read/write speeds up to 160MB/s and 90MB/s, respectively and works with all versions of the GPD Pocket 3, including models with Intel Pentium Silver N6000 or Intel Core i7-1195G7 processors.

First announced in March, the module was added to GPD’s AliExpress store on April 21, 2022, although it was out of stock a few hours after it was first announced.

Swapping out GPD Pocket 3 modules is pretty simple: they’re held in place with just two screws. So you just remove those screws, pop out the old module, insert the new one, and then replace the screws. Since they’re basically connecting via a USB interface, they should be recognized immediately without the need for a reboot.

The new microSD card reader joins GPD’s existing Pocket 3 modules:

  • USB Type-A port (included on all versions of the Pocket 3)
  • RS-232 COM port (available as an option)
  • KVM module (available as an option)

The KVM module is one of the most niche options and truly shows one of the key benefits of a modular device like the Pocket 3. It has HDMI and USB inputs, allowing you to connect the Pocket 3 to another PC or server and use it like a terminal using the mini-laptop’s display, keyboard, and touchpad to control the connected device.

This can come in handy for IT pros who want to be able to connect directly to a headless server, for example. It’s not a feature most people will ever use, so there’s little reason to make the port available on all models of the mini-laptop. But folks who want the KVM module have the option of adding it.

Another benefit of modularity is that a company like GPD can continue adding new hardware features to a device even after it’s already shipped. While it wasn’t clear last year whether GPD would actually do that with the Pocket 3, the announcement of a new microSD card reader shows that the company is indeed continuing to develop new products for the mini-laptop.

Third-party developers can also create their own modules – one developer is working on a 4G LTE module and a “Clicker” module that adds power and volume buttons that are accessible when the Pocket 3 is folded for use in tablet mode.

While this kind of modularity is rare, GPD isn’t the only company taking this approach. The Framework Laptop is a 13.5 inch notebook where all the ports are modular. In fact, you can even sacrifice a port for an expansion card that adds additional storage space, among other things.

But GPD is the first company to offer a modular mini laptop with an 8 inch screen.

The GPD Pocket 3 is available for purchase through an Indiegogo InDemand campaign with prices starting at about $698 for a model with an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor or $1,047 for a Core i7-1195G7 model.

Alternately, you can save a few bucks by ordering directly from GPD’s AliExpress store or spend a bit more to purchase the Pocket 3 from Banggood and GeekBuying for slightly higher prices,

For more details, check out Liliputing’s review of the GPD Pocket 3. Or for a run-down of key specs, check out the table below.

GPD Pocket 3 specs
ProcessorIntel Pentium Silver N6000
4 cores / 4 threads
1.1 GHz base / 3.3 GHz turbo
1.5MB L2 cache
4MB L3 cache
6W / 10W TDP
Tremont architecture
Intel Core i7-1195G7
4 cores / 8 threads
2.9 GHz base / 5 GHz turbo
5MB L2 cache
12MB L3 cache
12W – 25W TDP
Tiger Lake UP3 architecture
GraphicsIntel UHD 630
32 execution units
350 MHz base / 850 MHz max
256 shaders
4K@60 Hz
DirectX 12
OpenGL 4.5
Intel Iris Xe with 96eu
96 execution units
400 MHz base / 1.4 GHz max
768 shaders
8K@60 Hz
DirectX 12.1
OpenGL 4.6
Display8 inches
1920 x 1200 pixels
248 ppi
IPS LCD
500 nits
10-point multitouch
180 degree hinge
8 inches
1920 x 1200 pixels
248 ppi
IPS LCD
500 nits
10-point multitouch
180 degree hinge
RAM8GB LPDDR4x-2933
(LPDDR4x-4266, but the Pentium N6000 SoC limits speeds to 2933 MHz)
16GB LPDDR4x-3733
Configurable up to 4266 MHz in BIOS
StorageM.2 2280
PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe 1.3 SSD
512GB
M.2 2280
PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 x4 NVMe 1.3 or 1.4 SSD
1TB
Modular portUSB-A (included)
RS-232 (sold separately)
KVM / USB input (sold separately)
USB-A (included)
RS-232 (sold separately)
KVM / USB input (sold separately)
Other Ports1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
2 x 3.2 Gen 2 USB Type-A
1 x HDMI 2.0b
1 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
1 x 3.5mm mic/headphone combo
1 x Thunderbolt 4
2 x 3.2 Gen 2 USB Type-A
1 x HDMI 2.0b
1 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
1 x 3.5mm mic/headphone combo
WirelessIntel AX201
WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
Intel AX210
WiFi 6E
Bluetooth 5.2
KeyboardQWERTY chiclet-style keys
Backlit
QWERTY chiclet-style keys
Backlit
Webcam2MP
77 degree field of view
2MP
77 degree field of view
Battery & Charging38.5Wh 10,000 mAh battery
45W USB-C charger (20V/2.25A)
38.5Wh 10,000 mAh battery
45W USB-C charger (20V/2.25A)
AudioStereo speakers
3.5mm audio jack
Stereo speakers
3.5mm audio jack
SecurityFingerprint reader
TPM 2.0
Fingerprint reader
TPM 2.0
CoolingActive (fan)Active (fan)
StylusMicrosoft Pen Protocol 2.0
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
Sold separately
Microsoft Pen Protocol 2.0
4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
Sold separately
MaterialsAluminum unibody chassisAluminum unibody chassis
Dimensions198 x 137 x 20mm198 x 137 x 20mm
Weight725 grams725 grams
Price (Indiegogo InDemand)$700 for Pocket 3
$780 for Pocket 3 + module
$1049 for Pocket 3
$1130 for Pocket 3 + module

This article was first published March 9, 2022 and most recently updated April 21, 2022. 

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