Highlights
- Lenovo Legion Go, a new generation of handheld gaming PC, was launched in India earlier this year.
- It is equipped with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, AMD RDNA 3 graphics and an 8.8-inch QHD+ display.
- It offers a kickstand, two USB 4.0 ports and detachable controllers.
- Also has an all-new Legion Space software launcher.
- Lenovo Legion Go price is ₹89,990.
The concept of handheld gaming PCs has almost revolutionised mobile PC gaming industry.
Lenovo Legion Go price in India is ₹89,990 and that makes it one of the most expensive handheld gaming PCs among its prime competitors. So, the question is – should you be spending this hefty price for this Lenovo’s new generation gaming pc? Well, let’s find out in our in-depth Lenovo Legion Go review.
Lenovo Legion Go – Key Features
- Crystal Clear 8.8-inch QHD+ IPS display with multi-touch and 144Hz refresh rate
- Gaming-focused AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8C, 16T, 3.3GHz) processor
- AMD Radeon (RDNA™ 3 Architecture)
- Windows 11
- 16GB LPDDR5x-7500, soldered
- Hall Effect joysticks
- Detachable controllers with FPS Mode
- Legion Space
- Stereo speakers, 2W x2, dual-array microphone
- 2Wh Battery with Super Rapid Charge
Lenovo Legion Go – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Great design
● Detachable controllers ● Sturdy kickstand for popping on the table ● Hall effect Joysticks with RGB lighting ● Trackpad and scroll wheels for Windows ● Good screen-size ● Good processing power ● Stereo speakers ● Good connectivity options |
● Too heavy for long gaming sessions
● IPS display ● Battery backup could have better ● Most expensive among competitors
|
Lenovo Legion Go – Unboxing
Lenovo Legion Go – Design and Build
The first thing to notice about Lenovo Legion Go is how huge is it. Legion Go is 11.76 x 5.16 x 1.60 inches in size with close to 850g in weight. That not only makes it huge but also makes it heavy. It is also one of the easily noticeable cons of this handheld device. It is exhausting to hold this for long. So, we are not sure how comfortable long gaming sessions are going to be.
But Lenovo Legion Go’s design also offers a solution if feels too heavy to use for long hours – the detachable controllers.
You can dismantle the device and the display becomes a perfect tabletop gaming screen with controllers removed. You also get FPS mode in the right controller, which pro gamers will definitely like.
It also has a Kickstand, which is strong and provides sturdy support to the device if you want to keep it on a table.
It has RGB zones. Placed neatly around the two joysticks and another one around the power button on the top.
There is a small trackpad on the right controller below the joystick that also works as a mouse for the screen. Basically, Lenovo Legion Go has everything going on that makes it a handheld gaming device + PC.
We have to talk about the buttons. Legion Go will be a delight for people who love buttons.
First, it has too many to count and second, every button is strategically placed. However, it may take some time to get used to them. We did end up dying a couple of times during games while trying to pause and fiddling too close to a wrong side button.
Lenovo Legion Go – Ports
Legion Go does well when it comes to ports. We have 2 USB-C ports, one on top and one at the bottom. You won’t understand the importance of having a USB-C port at the top until you want to play having the device propped up on a table. For us, this was a thoughtful addition.
Apart from this, there is a MicroSD Card slot. But what we love is the 3.5mm audio jack.
Lenovo Legion Go – Display
The massive 8.8-inch quad-HD display at first glance is really the highlight of Lenovo Legion Go. It makes this handheld gaming PC what it is in terms of build and size.
The display specs are decent and support the main purpose of the device well, which is gaming. However, it feels very basic for the price.
It comes with 2560×1600 resolution, which is high-end but we have to remember the display is still just IPS. With the kind of price that Legion Go will cost to get this home, we believe Lenovo could have pushed the display tech a little bit further.
It supports a max 144Hz refresh rate and 500nit of peak brightness. Now, the brightness isn’t much on paper, but we tried using the device outdoors and it was decent enough to not interrupt the gaming sessions.
Overall, the display on its own is decent until you look at the price. The tech isn’t quite there but at the end of the day, it serves the purpose.
Lenovo Legion Go – Hardware
Hardware-wise, Lenovo Legions Go has prepared to win. It packs some impressive hardware making it a solid choice for gamers. It is specifically designed aiming gamers who are looking for a powerful device with a portable setup.
The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor comes with 8 cores and 16 threads. It runs at a base clock speed of 3.3GHz. So, if you are onto AAA titles or simply multitasking between gaming and apps on the PC, this chip handles it all smoothly. We tried opening a couple of apps along with pausing a Cyberpunk 2077 session and it managed commands well.
For graphics, Legion Go has the AMD Radeon graphics built on the RDNA 3 architecture. It is a strong performer and delivers great visuals with smooth frame rates.
While trying our hands on different titles we were particularly impressed with how well it handled graphically intense games. The graphics look good. The device achieves good textures, lighting, and effects.
In terms of memory and storage, Legion Go has 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of M.2 SSD space, respectively.
We also didn’t notice any lags or interruptions during our gaming sessions.
The games load quickly. Also, navigation through the system feels snappy and responsive. The device feels fast in general.
Lenovo Legion Go – Modes for Gaming
Handheld Mode – a portable gaming device. Download your PC games and play anywhere anytime.
FPS Mode – Detach controllers and the right one becomes your ergonomic mouse-like shooter.
Detachable Mode – Detach the controllers for an unincumbered and casual gaming session.
Battle Station Mode – Extend the kickstand on the back of the Legion Go and connect your dock, monitor, and/or accessories to either of the two USB 4.0 ports.
Lenovo Legion Go – Battery Life
The Lenovo Legion Go comes with a 49.2 Wh battery.
The battery provides a decent amount of playtime. But it is largely dependent on the game you are playing.
We managed a good 2.5 hours of gaming when we tried something intensive like the God of War. There is always a chance that demanding AAA titles drain the battery faster. It also depends on the settings you are playing with.
For example, a 60Hz refresh rate would save you some juice as compared to keeping the device always on 144Hz.
When needed, it has the Super Rapid Charge feature.
In just 10 minutes, the battery can go from 0% to about 30%. This gives enough power to continue the game for a little longer. However, if you can keep the device off your hands for about 30 minutes, you can easily get the power back up to 70%.
The full charge takes only around 80 minutes, which is great to be honest.
Verdict – Should You Buy Lenovo Legion Go?
The Lenovo Legion Go clearly has an ambition behind it. It promises a new generation of handheld gaming PCs that packs a lot. That’s what is unique about it. The Legion Go offers a lot. And that is also the thing that probably will go against it as well. It packs too much into one device. Nothing to complain about but at the end of the day this is intended for gamers, who are probably looking for something simpler to enjoy their gaming sessions.
The price also makes a huge difference when it comes to analysing Lenovo Legion Go as a product. You look at it side by side with the leading alternatives in the market such as the Asus ROG Ally or the Steam Deck, Legion Go is almost double their costs. A decision needs to be made if you are looking for a handheld gaming device.
Here’s what works in its favour and can really seal the deal – the concept of a gaming PC is served well in Lenovo Legion Go. The detachable controllers are gamer changers. The device is a complete package with a huge screen size, I/O setup and processor power. If the price doesn’t bother you, Lenovo Legion Go is the device for you.
Reasons to Buy
- Good design and build
- Larger 8.8-inch display
- FPS mode for the right controller
- Detachable controllers
- Good performance
Reasons Not to Buy
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Sub-par display tech
- Okayish battery life
Comparison with Leading Alternatives
| Specs | Lenovo Legion GO | Asus ROG Ally | Steam Deck |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Custom APU (Van Gogh) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 3 | AMD Radeon RDNA 3 | AMD Radeon RDNA 2 |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB | 512GB | 512GB |
| Display | 8-inch 1600p IPS touchscreen | 7-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen | 7-inch 800p IPS touchscreen |
| Battery | 13,240mAh (49.2WH) | 5200mAh (40Wh) | 5,313mAh (40Wh) |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 | SteamOS |
| Dimension | 298.83mm x 131mm x 40.7mm | 280mm x 111mm x 21.2mm | 298mm × 117mm × 49mm |
| Weight | 854g | 669g | 669g |
| Price | $799 / £799 / ₹89,990 | $699.99 / $599.99 / ₹49,990 | From $399 / ₹53,999 |
FAQs
Q1. What processor does the Lenovo Legion Go use?
Answer. The Lenovo Legion Go is powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, providing high performance for gaming.
Q2. What is the display size and resolution of the Lenovo Legion Go?
Answer. It features an 8.8-inch QHD (2560 x 1600) touchscreen display with a 144Hz refresh rate.
Q3. Are the controllers on the Lenovo Legion Go detachable?
Yes, the Legion Go has detachable Legion TrueStrike controllers, similar to the Nintendo Switch.
Q4. What is the battery capacity of the Lenovo Legion Go?
Answer. It has a 49.2Whr battery, which supports longer gaming sessions and includes Super Rapid Charge technology.
Q5. What operating system does the Lenovo Legion Go run?
Answer. The Lenovo Legion Go runs on Windows 11, allowing for extensive customization and access to a wide range of apps and programs.
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