The race is on. After Valve launched its well-liked Steam Deck final yr, {hardware} producers have rushed to place out their very own transportable PCs. We have already got a viable rival within the Asus ROG Ally from this yr, and there are many offbeat choices just like the Ayaneo 2S on the market, however now Lenovo is becoming a member of the scene with the Legion Go.
At first look, the Legion Go may simply seem like your normal transportable PC. It’s a hefty Home windows handheld filled with some spectacular specs. Look nearer, although, and also you’ll discover that Lenovo is bringing some real innovation to the desk. With removable controllers, a kickstand, an progressive “mouse mode,” and extra, the Legion Go units itself aside from its opponents in loads of methods. However is it value plopping down $700 this October for one more transportable gaming gadget?
That’s shaping as much as be a surprisingly difficult reply. In a hands-on session forward of the gadget’s reveal, I received to check out the Legion Go’s wealth of distinctive options. A few of its concepts already really feel groundbreaking for a machine like this, creating a tool that higher bridges the hole between handheld and PC. Then again, its monumental measurement and sophisticated options may make it a more durable promote for informal players simply trying to take their PC video games on the go.
A succesful gadget
On paper, there’s little question that the Legion Go is prepared for battle. Outfitted with an AMD Ryzen z1 Excessive processor, it has the identical energy potential because the Asus ROG Ally. The powerhouse system comes with 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, and a 49.2 Wh battery, all of which justify its aggressive price ticket. With all that energy packed into a reasonably huge, vent-filled kind issue, I anticipated to see some spectacular outcomes after I really jumped right into a sport. That wasn’t precisely the case.
When hopping into Hello-Fi Rush, I used to be instantly shocked to see it operating at an unusually uneven body price. I initially chalked that as much as unoptimized graphics settings (the inner instruments that’ll include the gadget weren’t prepared to check fairly but), however the actual offender may very well be its most spectacular characteristic: the 1600p show.
Sure, you learn that proper. The Legion Go sports activities maybe probably the most spectacular show accessible on a handheld gaming gadget within the type of its 144Hz 8.8” QHD+ display. It’s that 1600p determine that basically stands out although — however maybe not for the explanations Lenovo is anticipating. Whereas it’s an important promoting level on paper, it’s additionally a bit impractical. That determine is even too demanding for many low-end
Although that may be overkill, Lenovo’s different ambitions seem to be they’ll repay extra. Notably, the inclusion of two USB-C four ports might go a good distance. Toss in Bluetooth assist, a microSD slot, a built-in digital camera, two 2-watt audio system, and also you’ve received a reasonably loaded system in your arms. It’s additionally a Home windows gadget with a responsive touchscreen, which makes navigating in desktop view a reasonably pure expertise.
After all, all of this comes with one heavy catch: The Legion Go weighs a whopping 1.Eight kilos. Whereas Lenovo says it’s nonetheless attempting to shave some weight off that staggering quantity (a mere two months out from launch), don’t count on an excessive amount of to vary there. At that weight, the Legion Go is considerably heavier than a Steam Deck — and I might inform. It’s laborious to think about holding it for a protracted time period with out feeling some pressure. That facet alone may give it some bother in a battle towards the far more transportable and equally highly effective ROG Ally.
Modern controls
I get the sense that Lenovo not solely is aware of the burden issue is a ache level, however designed round it too. That’s evident in its progressive method to controls which takes extra inspiration from the Nintendo Swap than the Steam Deck. The Legion Go options absolutely removable controllers that simply undock from the display. It even incorporates a built-in kickstand much like the Swap OLED’s, which helps the concept Lenovo is focusing on a tabletop use case greater than a handheld one.
Whereas the controllers characteristic a typical ABXY structure, they’re probably the most untraditional controllers we’ve seen on a tool like this but. A trackpad on the precise controller provides it an edge over the ROG Ally, whereas its six assignable grip buttons go away tons of room for management customization. The one drawback there as soon as once more comes all the way down to consolation. When indifferent, the controllers really feel chunky and overly angular within the arms. It seems like I’m holding two thick triangles, which is a bizarre feeling after so a few years of dealing with Nintendo’s light-weight Pleasure-Cons. I think about it’s one thing I’d get used to over time, however I do have some questions on how they’ll really feel in longer play classes.
That’s not the Legion Go’s most shocking innovation, although. The gadget additionally incorporates a considerably ingenious setup that turns the precise controller right into a mouse. The Legion Go comes bundled with a bit of plastic ring that may be positioned down on a desk (the ultimate model will likely be magnetized, however the one I examined was not). By flipping an “FPS” swap on and inserting the precise controller within the ring, it might basically be managed like a flight stick. The precise bumper and an additional one down the facet of the controller act as a left and proper mouse click on, whereas a secret wheel close to them provides gamers the power to scroll.
So far as gimmicks go, it’s the identical sort of toy-like appeal that made me fall in love with the Nintendo Swap the primary time I attempted it. I might use the mode to play Powerwash Simulator with pinpoint accuracy, holding the left controller in my different hand to modify nozzles. It looks like a great choice for individuals who play genres particularly constructed for PC, like CRPGs and technique video games. That would assist the Legion Go turn out to be the popular choice for one thing like Baldur’s Gate 3, making it the PC participant’s handheld.
After all, a first-of-its-kind management scheme like that is certain to have some hurdles. When FPS mode was turned on, the video games I demoed instantly assumed I used to be taking part in with a mouse and keyboard. That meant that any in-game controls proven to me had been ineffective, leaving me to fiddle with buttons till I found out what did what. I think about that may create a variety of confusion in PC-focused video games that depend on dozens of keyboard instructions fairly than controller shortcuts.
Even with that caveat, FPS mode presents one thing no different gaming handheld does — and that’s key for Lenovo. We’re presently in a form of Wild West period of transportable PCs the place {hardware} producers have to work laborious to persuade gamers their gadget is preferable to at least one they purchased months in the past. Lenovo’s gross sales pitch, so far as I can inform, is that the Legion Go acts as a a lot stronger bridge between a handheld and a laptop computer, delivering each experiences with a extra flexibly designed gadget.
It’s an important thought — one which carries a techie wow issue — however what stays to be seen is how sensible all of it is. Is the Legion Go’s huge measurement well worth the pressure? Does an excessively bold display harm greater than it helps? Is the optimum use case right here too area of interest for a common viewers? These are questions I’ll solely be capable of reply upon spending extra time with the ultimate Legion Go. That stated, Lenovo is getting into the market with a genuinely recent thought fairly than a copycat gadget whose solely professional is a negligible energy bump. Even when the Legion Go isn’t the very best model of what it could possibly be, the stage is about for it to shake up the market in a means that would put it on the high.
The Legion Go is scheduled to launch this October and retail for $700. Lenovo says it’s engaged on a less expensive, much less highly effective mannequin of it too, although that doesn’t have a launch window but.
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