Peek Into Lenovo's New Bet in the Gaming Realm: The Legion Go

Handheld gaming PC enthusiasts are in for a thrilling time in 2023. Lenovo is on the verge of entering this market segment, following the release of the ROG Ally by ASUS.  The hands-on experience with Legion Go showcased some intriguing Lenovo features that could make a significant impact.

However, it's worth noting that the units I tried are not final retail versions. This is evident in elements like the shoulder buttons, where one side of the device has metallic paint (which is expected on retail units), while the other is plain black plastic. Lenovo also intends to equip the Legion Go with a custom app launcher similar to ASUS' Armoury Crate, along with a Windows 11 installation. This was not on the demo units I used. Any rough edges or inconsistencies in the Legion Go's casing can be attributed to it being a pre-production sample, which Lenovo is expected to rectify before its official launch in October.

Now, let's delve into some key features of the Legion Go. Its showpiece is an 8.8-inch 2,560 x 1,600 IPS screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness. It's not only as fast as ROG Ally but also has the biggest screen compared to any other device in this category, along with vibrant colors that make it more appealing than many competitors.

However, the larger display and somewhat boxy design make the Legion Go rather bulky, closer in size to the Steam Deck than slimmer rivals like the ROG Ally. While it offers a standard Xbox-style button configuration, it also has an asymmetrical rear paddle structure with a scroll wheel, though its use is unclear.

Taking a leaf from the Nintendo Switch, Lenovo has incorporated a folding kickstand with detachable controllers. Detaching these controllers, however, is not as straightforward as the Switch and may take some getting used to.

The kickstand allows easy setup of the display on a tabletop while using the remote controllers and the two USB 4 ports even let you attach a mouse and keyboard for a mini desktop experience. Alternatively, a single touchpad on the right controller can be used to maneuver within Windows.

A nifty feature of the Legion Go is an FPS Switch on the base of the right controller, enabling a vertical mouse experience while playing shooters when dropped into an included cradle. 

With specs like an AMD Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB storage, and a 49.2 WHr battery, the Legion Go competes closely with the ROG Ally. Additionally, it comes with a case and more advanced controllers while still being priced at $699, matching the Ally's cost, making it impressive.

Even though the Legion Go still needs some fine-tuning before its official October release, it's evident that the competition for handheld gaming PC dominance is heating up with big-name brands joining the fray.