Review: Lenovo Legion Go

So, to really test out the capabilities of the Lenovo Legion Go, I decided to use it as my computer for everything for two weeks. I was expecting compromises – problems I would have to live with, but none of that came true. Not only is it a fantastic handheld for gaming, but it’s also a competent Windows 11 device. In fact, it’s so competent I don’t think I need a laptop anymore.

What is the Lenovo Legion Go?

The Lenovo Legion Go is primarily aimed at gamers and is a handheld device that will let you play your PC games on the go. Whether that’s from a specific store or using something like Game Pass from Xbox. It resembles devices like the Steam Deck and the Asus Rog Ally.

Like the Rog Ally, the Legion Go runs on Windows 11, which means you get a full PC environment alongside specialist Lenovo software (Legion Space) to manage gaming.

Build quality

In the hand the Lenovo Legion Go feels sturdy, in fact after a while it feels heavy which is probably my only complaint. However, the build quality is very good, and nothing feels fragile. This is particularly good because the Legion Go has an in-built kickstand that, like the Nintendo Switch OLED, spans the full length of the bottom edge. Unfortunately, when you’re using this, you do lose access to one of the USB-C ports (unless you happen to have a cable with a 90-degree connector), but that’s to be expected.

The controllers feel good in the hand, and I particularly like the large size and ergonomic-like grip. It’s one of the most comfortable handhelds I’ve used, even though it’s big and heavy. Although the controllers can be detached, they don’t feel flimsy when connected and don’t wobble, which is appreciated. Overall, it feels premium, and at the price, it’s what I expect.

Screen quality

The Lenovo Legion Go has possibly one of the best screens I’ve ever experienced on a handheld device. It’s got a massive 8.8″ QHD+ IPS panel with an astonishing 2560×1600 resolution. This screen provides crispness, brightness (500 nits), and vibrantness. It’s everything you would want for gaming on the go and productivity. I wish it were a little brighter in direct sunlight, but this is a small complaint. With the 144-Hz refresh rate, everything feels smooth.

 Audio quality

Unfortunately, the quality of the speakers is where the Lenovo Legion Go falls down. It’s pretty quiet unless you really turn the volume up to max, and even then, it’s lacking. It feels tinny, and it definitely lacks bass. Thankfully, for the kind of device this is, the chances of actually ever using these speakers are small to none. Let’s face it, you will use a wired or Bluetooth headset, and your ears will thank you for it.

Is the Lenovo Legion Go better than Steam Deck and Rog Ally?

Steam recently launched the OLED version of the Steam Deck, and while I haven’t gotten hands-on with that yet, from the spec sheet, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to outperform the Legion Go in any category, apart from maybe battery life.

But it’s unfair. The Steam Deck is a simple device by comparison; it’s a handheld device designed to work with Steam and Steam alone. While the software and experience are great, and you certainly won’t be disappointed, I can’t help but think the Legion Go has a more universal application due to running a full version of Windows 11.

That then means its competition is the Rog Ally, and the competition is close. Performance-wise, I don’t think there’s much in it. The Legion Go has a bigger and higher resolution screen and gives better performance at high wattages, not to mention you can detach the controllers to allow for a range of playstyles. The Rog Ally, however, is smaller and lighter and performs better at lower wattages. You can read a full review of the Rog Ally by Dan here, but for me – the Legion Go just ever so slightly takes the win.

Gaming Performance

Xbox Game Pass works as well as it does on any device that supports it. The big, bright, high-quality screen of the Legion Go really helps elevate gaming on the go. I tested a number of games using cloud play, and all ran smoothly and looked great. The controllers felt like using an Xbox controller, albeit with many extra mappable buttons you can take advantage of.

When really pushing the device in terms of the games I was playing, the Legion Go managed around an hour and a half to two hours of battery life before needing to be charged. This isn’t uncommon for devices like this, but I wish it lasted longer for those extended gameplay sessions. While keeping the device tethered to power feels a little disjointed, it thankfully can be hooked up to a sufficiently beefy power pack so it can still be used while away from a socket.

Being a Windows device, the Legion Go can easily access all your gaming libraries, whether Steam, Epic or GOG. Even when running in performance mode, don’t expect the Legion Go to be able to play all the latest titles at the highest specifications. While in performance mode the Legion Go dominates the competition in terms of capability, when it’s running on battery alone, it will perform at a lower standard than the Rog Ally. It isn’t, however, bad by any stretch of the imagination. In any configuration, I’ve been able to play games like Starfield just fine and have only needed to tweak the in-game settings to suit the Legion Go. Because of the small size compared to the screen’s pixel count, even at low settings, I was impressed with how good things look.

Can the Legion Go be used as a laptop?

So, my review of the Legion Go perfectly coincided with a trip away from home, away from my powerhouse of a desktop PC. Instead of reaching for the laptop, I wanted to really put this astonishing handheld through its paces. Could it provide me with a console-like experience playing stuff from my Steam library and let me get all my work done?

In short, yes. I’ve been able to write, use Photoshop, browse the web and even screen record and deposit the file in a DropBox account. In fact, this very review has been written on the Legion Go. It’s pretty incredible to me how good this device is at being a productivity device when you think it’s designed for gamers. I will say if you’re going to use it for productivity, make sure to bring a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. While this is personal preference, I’m not the biggest fan of the joystick-like one you can assemble using the right controller.

Console layout and connectivity

The Legion Go has all the connectivity you would want. It features two USB-C 4.0 ports (both with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0), which makes connecting to a dock, monitor or just a power supply easy. This makes it great to hook it up to a larger display or keep the battery topped up during long gameplay sessions. The fact that there’s a port on top and bottom means you’ll always have one available even when your arms are tired and you’re using the stand.

Also, along the top, you have a 3.5mm headphone jack. While the Legion Go comes with Bluetooth, a lot of gamers prefer the wired connection to prevent any chance of lag with their audio. The fact we’re seeing one on a high-end gaming device from 2023 is extremely welcome. The port also supports a mic to talk to your teammates without compromise.

The last port on the top is a MicroSD card reader, which supports up to 2TB of additional storage.

Finally, the Legion Go comes with Wifi 6E and, as mentioned above, Bluetooth. The latter allows for connecting periphery accessories, like a keyboard and mouse.

The basic design language of the Legion Go is best described as a large tablet with Nintendo Switch-style controllers that clip in. That’s where the similarities end, however. The controllers are big and grippy, which reduces fatigue and strain on the hand. The layout is more akin to an Xbox controller with a bunch of extra buttons and a really nice trackpad. That isn’t everything, however!

You see, the Legion Go has a bit of a party trick. While detachable controllers aren’t new, one of them can magnetically attach to a provided disk and become a hybrid joystick/mouse. It’s brilliant. It works. Primarily designed for FPS players, but if you don’t have a Bluetooth mouse handy, it will work. As an on-the-go tool to control Windows 11, it’s a great feature from Lenovo.

What’s in the box?

• Legion Go (Base module & Legion TrueStrike Controllers)
• Controller base
• 65W Power Adapter
• Carrying Case

Technical specifications

Final thoughts on the Lenovo Legion Go

The moment I switched on the Legion Go and started checking out all it had to offer, I knew I loved this device. It allowed me to play my Steam library, MMOs and Game Pass on the go, but because it was Windows-based, it meant I could also hook up a keyboard and mouse and still get work done. This made it an attractive alternative to a far more expensive gaming laptop. It’s well built, works well and honestly? I like it so much. It’s now the first piece of tech I pack when I go on a trip.

To find out more about the Lenovo Legion Go, you can check out their website.