Lenovo Legion Go Review: First Impressions

First Impressions

The Lenovo Legion Go is the following PC gaming handheld from a giant know-how model. Together with sensible extra options to entice PC gamers, its eye-catching promoting factors are its removable controllers and huge 8.8-inch QHD+ show.

Introduction

The Lenovo Legion Go is the newest PC gaming handheld to be revealed, following within the footsteps of the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Some might wince once they hear it’s one other Home windows handheld however, on the {hardware} facet, this could possibly be essentially the most completed gadget within the class but.

What makes the Legion Go stand out is its Nintendo Swap-like setup, with detachable controllers, permitting for the pliability of wi-fi play. It isn’t the primary of its type, with the OneXPlayer sporting this fashion, however it’s putting to see this large model take a special route to its key rival, the Asus ROG Ally.

I’m right here at IFA 2023 and I had the chance to go hands-on with the Lenovo Legion Go for thirty minutes. It’s price noting the gadget I examined wasn’t a ultimate model of the product so I used to be restricted within the play testing I might do, so key impressions right here might be on the general consumer interface. The all-important efficiency testing will are available our full evaluate. For now, try our first impressions of the Lenovo Legion Go.

Design and Controls

• 854 grams and 41mm thickness
• Corridor impact joysticks and a trackpad
• Six assignable grip buttons

My 30-minute session with the Lenovo Legion Go flew by, as I frolicked tinkering with the completely different modes and taking the vary of photographs you’ll be able to see on this hands-on article, however I acquired a very good likelihood to get a really feel for these controls, and I used to be mightily impressed. The D-Pad is the low level, feeling a tad low-cost, however the remainder of the controls are spectacular of their selection and high quality.

The corridor impact joysticks aren’t the most important however they transfer in a purposeful method, with a smidgen of resistance to cease them feeling flimsy, and the face buttons could be my spotlight. The face buttons provide loads of crunchy journey that provides as much as a satisfying press. The overriding theme, throughout the shoulder buttons, triggers and extra too, is that this can be a top quality gadget. In fact, at £699/$699/€799, it actually must be.

However, it isn’t simply the standard of the standard controls you’ll discover with this sort of type issue that impresses. First, on the appropriate controller, there’s a trackpad, just like the Steam Deck however you’ll discover just one right here. Not solely is that this a helpful choice for PC video games that profit from this, but it surely helps with navigating Home windows, a well-touted folly of the Asus ROG Ally.

Then, there six assignable grip buttons, with two on the again of every controller and an extra two on the facet of the appropriate controller. However, that’s not all, there’s a mouse wheel on the rear of the appropriate controller too. Why all of the controls on the appropriate removable controller? It may possibly change into a joystick with ‘FPS mode’ by attaching magnetically to a base, and it completely feels such as you’re wielding the mouse extra precisely. There’s additionally twin USB-C ports, providing flexibility by way of charging and attaching one other accent on the similar time.

The general design of the Legion Go is unassuming, with its Shadow Black colourway, trying extra just like the Steam Deck than the intense white Asus ROG Ally, but it surely retains the weighty premium really feel of its Asus rival. Although, it’s even heavier than the 603g ROG Ally, coming in at 854g. It does scale back to 640g with out the controllers connected. Nonetheless, regardless of discovering this weight a tad daunting I wasn’t phased by it when enjoying. However, the tabletop mode is readily available to offer you a relaxation if that is one thing that may put you off.

Show

• 8.8-inch QHD+ IPS display screen
• 144Hz refresh fee
• As much as 500 nits brightness

I didn’t get the chance to really push the decision and refresh fee of this show however my preliminary impressions are sturdy. The QHD+ panel noticeably provides additional element on prime of a FHD+ show just like the ROG Ally. It’s nonetheless an IPS reasonably than one thing fancier like an OLED however colors regarded appropriately correct and wealthy, however they actually don’t pop off the show.

I’m trying ahead to inserting this gadget alongside competing handhelds after we take a look at it for evaluate as a result of, like with the load, the positively mammoth 8.8-inch display screen didn’t really feel overly imposing throughout my playtime. The scale is totally welcome, undeniably offering a extra immersive expertise in contrast with the 7-inch panel on the ROG Ally.

Specs and Efficiency

• As much as AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive
• 16GB RAM and as much as 1TB SSD
• Twin USB-C ports
• 65W charging, 49.2Whr battery

Most of my time enjoying with the Lenovo Legion Go included trialling it with Vampire Survivors and PowerWash Simulator, so removed from extraordinarily demanding and boundary pushing triple-A or highFPS efficiency video games. And, as talked about at first of this hands-on, this isn’t a ultimate product so the ultimate mannequin might differ from how this model performs. I can say there have been no noticeable hiccups throughout my time.

The Lenovo Legion Go is about to be obtainable with as much as an AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive, 16GB RAM, as much as 1TB SSD and as much as 2TB of expandable storage. Within the UK, just one mannequin might be bought and its specs, intriguingly, align nigh-on precisely with the Asus ROG Ally however with the fancier QHD+ decision. That’s a Z1 Excessive, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if the Legion Go can hit the bottom operating proper from the off and take full benefit of its specs in addition to the way it handles wattage, as that is one thing that has been modified by way of software program updates with the ROG Ally since its launch. Lenovo is touting each a Quiet Mode and the power to go all-in by operating at a full 25W TGP in Customized Mode once you so select.

Video games and Software program

• Runs Home windows 11 Dwelling
• Legion Area onboard software program

Your opinion of the Lenovo Legion Go could also be instantly colored by the truth that it’s a Home windows gaming handheld. It simply isn’t for some folks, however I do assume the appropriate trackpad goes some strategy to serving to with consumer interplay.

Legion Area loading on Lenovo Legion Go

Legion Area on Lenovo Legion Go

Fast settings on Lenovo Legion Go

Efficiency fast settings on Lenovo Legion Go

Common settings on Lenovo Legion Go

Efficiency settings on Lenovo Legion Go

Holding the Lenovo Legion Go

The perfect methodology to keep away from an excessive amount of Home windows time with this gadget is the Legion Area software program, which brings collectively your regionally put in video games from numerous video games shops for fast entry. I dodged across the menus throughout my time and, at face worth, it seems easy and straightforward to make use of however provides highly effective choices for individuals who prefer to tweak key efficiency settings.