Lenovo’s Legion Go: A Powerful Handheld Gaming PC
Lenovo has introduced its own handheld gaming PC, the Legion Go, to compete with popular devices such as the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Powered by Windows 11, the Legion Go will be available starting from October for $699. Interested buyers can purchase it from Lenovo’s website, as well as Best Buy and Micro Center. While the Legion Go shares similarities in specs and appearance with its competitors, it stands out with its high-end screen and feature-packed detachable controllers.
A Display That Impresses
The Legion Go boasts an impressive 8.8-inch touchscreen display with a maximum resolution of 1600p and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. For better battery life and optimal performance, users have the option to scale down the resolution to 800p and the refresh rate to 60 Hz. It’s worth noting that the 49.2 Wh battery may not hold a charge for long periods of intense gaming, although Lenovo claims that it can recharge up to 70% in just 30 minutes when using the included 65 W charger.
Key Features and Design
In an attempt to differentiate itself, the Legion Go adopts some popular features that the Nintendo Switch helped popularize. For instance, it includes a kickstand, eliminating the need for additional accessories to prop it up. However, its most notable feature is the detachable controllers, resembling high-tech Joy-Cons. These controllers feature accurate Hall effect joysticks that are less prone to drifting after extended use compared to traditional analog sticks. The Legion Go also includes all standard buttons, along with multiple customizable macro buttons, a thumb trackpad, and even a mouse scroll wheel.
To improve gameplay in first-person shooters, the right controller can be placed in a magnetic dock that holds it upright. By switching to FPS mode, an optical sensor on the bottom activates, allowing users to move the controller like a mouse for more precise aiming. This innovative feature shows promise and will undoubtedly be interesting to test in practice.
Docking Capability and Expandable Storage
Similar to the ROG Ally and the Steam Deck, the Legion Go can be connected to a monitor or TV for an enhanced gaming experience. Additionally, users can connect controllers via Bluetooth. The device supports game installation on both microSD cards and M.2 2242-sized PCIe NVMe SSDs, similar to those used in Lenovo’s ThinkPad laptops. The base model comes with a 256 GB SSD, with options for 512 GB and 1 TB configurations available, although Lenovo has not yet revealed the pricing for these versions.
Lenovo Legion Glasses for an Immersive Experience
For those who enjoy luxury and immersion, Lenovo has also announced the Legion Glasses. These wired glasses offer a private, virtual large-screen experience with a micro-OLED display capable of delivering 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 60 Hz to each eye. They also feature built-in speakers for what Lenovo claims is “high-fidelity” audio. The glasses are not exclusive to the Legion Go and can be used with any device that supports USB-C video output via DisplayPort alt mode, including Windows and macOS computers, Android phones, and other portable gaming hardware. The Legion Glasses will be available in October for $329.
Lenovo’s Legion Go presents a formidable competitor in the handheld gaming PC market. With its high-quality display, detachable controllers, and docking capabilities, it offers a powerful gaming experience for enthusiasts on the go. Paired with the immersive Legion Glasses, gamers can expect an even more engaging experience. Whether competing against the Steam Deck or the Asus ROG Ally, the Legion Go is definitely a device worth considering for avid gamers.