Handheld gaming consoles have long bridged the gap for gamers who want a balance between portability and power. These devices offer the freedom to play anywhere without the constraints of a small smartphone screen or the bulkiness of a gaming laptop. Lenovo’s Legion Go enters this space, positioning itself as a powerhouse with its bigger display and unique features, offering a perfect balance for gamers who crave flexibility without compromising performance.
Design and Display
The Lenovo Legion Go is a beast in terms of size and design. With its 8.8-inch QHD+ screen (2560×1600 resolution), it stands out from its competitors, offering a larger display that enhances the gaming experience with sharp visuals and vibrant colors. Unlike most handhelds, Lenovo Legion Go incorporates detachable controllers. These removable controllers make the device versatile as it can be used for streaming content or for browsing websites while using it as a handheld tab.
The controllers are equipped with standard Xbox layout buttons (ABXY), two rear buttons, and additional programmable buttons, offering customization for serious gamers. The kickstand at the bottom is sturdy, providing a solid base for tabletop gaming, while the innovative right controller doubles as a mouse, making navigation through the Windows interface much smoother.
Key Specs and Features
At the core of the Lenovo Legion Go is the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, paired with RDNA graphics, making it one of the most powerful handheld gaming consoles on the market. With 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage, it ensures seamless gameplay, even for the most demanding titles.
In FPS games, the right controller can be detached and placed on a small magnetic disc, allowing it to function as a vertical mouse using a sensor at the bottom. The magnetic disc, included in the carrying case, holds the controller upright, offering mouse-like precision, which is particularly useful for first-person shooters. While innovative, this feature can feel cumbersome without a flat surface, and aligning the magnets can sometimes be tricky.
The device also includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, offering fast and stable connectivity for game streaming or peripheral usage. Its two USB-C ports not only support external display connections via DisplayPort 1.4 but also enable the Legion Go to function as a full-fledged desktop computer. Paired with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, it can transform into a productivity tool, making it versatile for gaming as well as work on the go.
However, the placement of the USB-C ports poses a design limitation. One port is positioned at the top while the other is at the bottom, which complicates the usage. For example, if you connect an external display and need to charge the device at the same time, the bottom port becomes inaccessible if the device is placed upright with the kickstand, limiting its usability in desktop mode.
Lenovo provides a carrying case for the Legion Go, which includes a slit that allows for charging while the device is packed. However, it would have been ideal if Lenovo had also made space for the charger inside the case, offering a more comprehensive and organized solution for carrying both the device and its accessories.
Performance and Battery
In terms of gaming performance, the Lenovo Legion Go is a powerhouse. Testing it with Asphalt 9, for instance, delivered smooth gameplay on default settings. Over the course of an hour at 50% brightness, the battery dropped from 100% to 60%, which is respectable for a device with such power. However, when connected to a power source, the performance fully unleashes, offering even smoother frame rates and faster load times.
The Legion Go provides two refresh rate options: 60Hz and 144Hz. While it lacks a variable refresh rate (VRR), the 144Hz option ensures ultra-smooth gameplay in fast-paced titles, albeit at the expense of battery life.
Speaking of the battery, the Legion Go is equipped with a 49.2WHr unit, larger than many of its competitors. While it allows for extended gaming sessions on less demanding titles, AAA games will likely require keeping a charger nearby. The device supports Super Rapid Charge, reaching 0% to 100% in about 80 minutes. One minor inconvenience is the absence of an LED charging indicator when the device is off or in sleep mode, but this is not a major issue.
Handheld Console as a PC
One of the standout features of the Lenovo Legion Go is its ability to double as a portable PC. With its Windows OS, you can connect external peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, transforming it into a functional desktop setup. Since the Legion Go supports DisplayPort 1.4 through its USB-C port, we connected a BenQ GW2486TC monitor to the device and used it as a mini desktop PC. The device’s performance is more than capable of handling everyday productivity tasks, making it a versatile tool for both work and gaming. The ability to dock and convert it into a mini workstation is a significant advantage for users seeking a dual-purpose device. During our testing, we were particularly impressed by the Legion Go’s performance, even for demanding tasks like video and photo editing.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Go is priced competitively at INR 89,000, placing it at the premium end of the market. Its cost reflects its robust performance, impressive display, and unique features, such as detachable controllers and the ability to transform into a desktop PC. This device is highly recommended for gamers who need portability without sacrificing power, as well as for those seeking a hybrid device that can serve as both a gaming console and a productivity tool.
