GPD is pushing mini PCs into faster, more expandable territory with its upcoming GPD Box, one of the company’s newest products to include an MCIO eGPU port. This high-speed interface is a big deal for anyone who wants serious external graphics performance in a small desktop, because MCIO uses a PCIe 5.0 x8 connection that can outperform the more common PCIe 4.0 x4 OCuLink setups found on many compact systems.
Alongside the MCIO focus, GPD has now confirmed key specifications for the Box, including Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake processors. Buyers will be able to choose between two CPU configurations: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H or Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, giving the Box options that range from strong integrated-graphics performance to a more eGPU-friendly setup.
The higher-tier Core Ultra X7 358H model features Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics. In practical terms, this iGPU is positioned as powerful enough to compete with entry-level dedicated laptop GPUs, making it attractive for gaming, creative workloads, and GPU-accelerated tasks without requiring an external graphics card.
The Core Ultra 7 356H variant, on the other hand, comes with a 4-core Xe3 iGPU that targets a more mainstream performance level. Interestingly, this is also the configuration that includes the MCIO port. That choice makes sense: users who opt for external GPU expansion are less likely to prioritize top-end integrated graphics, since the eGPU would handle the heavy lifting.
Memory and storage should be flexible for both versions. GPD says the Box can be configured with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and it includes two M.2 slots for SSDs. The company plans to offer configurations with up to 4TB of storage pre-installed, which can be especially appealing for users planning to run large game libraries, media projects, or multi-OS setups.
Despite its performance ambitions, the GPD Box remains very compact. GPD describes it as a 0.93-liter mini PC, yet it still manages to include a built-in 160W GaN power supply. Cooling is handled by a dual-fan system, aiming to keep the Panther Lake CPU running smoothly in a small chassis.
Connectivity also looks like a strong point. The GPD Box is set to include two USB4 v2 ports, plus modern wireless options like WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. For a mini PC designed around expansion and high-speed peripherals, that combination should cover a wide range of use cases—from docking and fast external storage to multi-display workflows and eGPU builds.
GPD hasn’t shared official pricing or a release date yet, but with the system’s specifications now largely revealed, the launch appears to be approaching. The company is also preparing to release the GPD G2 dock with MCIO at the same time, suggesting a broader push toward MCIO-based expansion across its ecosystem.
