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Home windows Report / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
Our prime decide
The Legion Go is a newly launched competitor to the ROG Ally. It has a high-spec display, removable controllers, and an FPS mode.
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ASUS ROG Ally
Additionally wonderful
The ROG Ally is a mainstay within the handheld gaming PC market as a result of it presents nice efficiency for the value, particularly when it is on provide.
The Lenovo Legion Go has lastly launched, giving the hand-held gaming PC market one other product to chew on and consider. Its closest competitor by way of goal market and worth is the Asus ROG Ally, so on this article, we’ll provide you with all the data you could determine between the 2 handhelds.
Again in September, we received our hands on the Legion Go – a pre-production model, a minimum of – and in the course of the brief time we spent with it we appreciated what we noticed. We additionally appreciated the Asus ROG Ally after we tried that handheld console in June, and though we had issues concerning the Home windows 11 expertise with the Ally, these issues will apply equally to the Legion Go.
In different phrases, then, the Legion Go and ROG Ally really are peas of a pod, making it important that you simply evaluate them if you happen to’re out there for a handheld gaming PC. Let’s get into it.
Worth, specs, and availability
The Asus ROG Ally has been round since June 2023 when it launched for $699 MSRP. The Lenovo Legion Go, however, launched on the finish of October 2023, additionally for an MSRP of $699. Each could be picked up from the producers’ web sites or Greatest Purchase.
Whereas each handhelds run an AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive processor, with the Ally you’ll be able to go for the much less highly effective common Z1 (non-Excessive) APU for $100 much less. The common Z1, nevertheless, performs a lot worse than the Z1 Excessive and makes different choices just like the Steam Deck a more sensible choice.
We also needs to observe that it could be harder to search out SSD upgrades for the Legion Go than the ROG Ally as a result of the previous solely helps new M.2 2242 SSDs whereas the latter helps normal M.2 2230 SSDs. This should not be a difficulty for many avid gamers, although, as a result of you may get a 1TB model of the Legion Go for simply $50 additional, making it much less more likely to want a storage improve.
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Lenovo Legion Go ASUS ROG Ally Dimensions 299x131x41 mm 279×111.8×12.7 mm Model Lenovo Asus Weight 854g 1.34 lbs (608 grams) Chipset AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive RAM 16GB 7500Mhz LPDDR5X 16GB of LPDDR5 reminiscence Storage As much as 1TB PCIe 4.0 512GB PCle 4.0 SSD, microSD card slot Show 8.8-inch IPS 7-inch IPS Output decision 2560×1600 16:10 144Hz Full HD (1080p 16:9) touchscreen with 120Hz refresh price
Design and show
The Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go are fairly completely different by way of design and show. The lengthy story brief is that the Legion Go is a chunky, heavy, however extra versatile machine, whereas the ROG Ally is a smaller, lighter, much less versatile one.
Whereas the Legion Go is greater, it is not uncomfortably so. Actually, it is about the identical measurement because the Steam Deck, however has an even bigger display (the Steam Deck’s actual property is taken up by wider left- and right-side management panels).
The display actually is a promoting level for the Legion Go in comparison with the ROG Ally – it is greater, increased res, and has the next refresh price. Each are IPS panels, however 1600p is noticeably higher than 1080p, and an additional 1.8 inches on the diagonal is unbelievable for a handheld console. This being stated, the ROG Ally’s show is not any joke – it is nonetheless higher than the Steam Deck’s, as an example – it is simply that the Legion Go’s is that a lot better.
One other approach through which the Legion Go shines is in its capacity to detach its controllers similar to the Nintendo Switch. It additionally has a kick-stand on the again so you’ll be able to prop the display up after detaching the controllers. That is what makes the Legion Go so versatile.
There’s a downside to the Legion, although, this being that it weighs considerably greater than the ROG Ally – greater than most handhelds, in actual fact. And whereas it is not monumental, the additional couple of centimetres in width and top are noticeable when utilizing the gadget. As all the time with handhelds, it is a query of display measurement and efficiency vs gadget measurement and weight. The Legion Go wins within the former respect, the ROG Ally within the latter.
Controls
On the floor the controls of each the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally are comparable. Each characteristic an Xbox-style structure with A, B, X and Y buttons, left-side DPAD, bumper buttons and triggers, and offset left and right-side analogue sticks. In different phrases, these handhelds are nice if you happen to’re used to Xbox controllers, whereas one thing like a Steam Deck is nice if you happen to’re used to PlayStation controllers.
That is the place the similarities finish, although. Past this, the Legion Go has way more to supply within the controller division.
First, its controllers are removable. This implies if you happen to fancy resting your palms in your lap whilst you recreation, you’ll be able to nonetheless relaxation your console display on one thing nearer to eye degree after flipping out its kickstand. (Sadly, although, the left and proper sides do not be part of collectively like they do with the Change.)
Aside from this, in all probability the most important benefit to the Legion Go over the ROG Ally is its “FPS mode”. This basically enables you to flip the right-hand controller right into a bona fide mouse, which is particularly helpful for aiming in first-person shooters (thus the identify). Merely slide it into the puck that comes with the gadget, flip the underside swap over to FPS mode, and the optical sensor activates. Now, you should utilize it like a vertical mouse and begin cracking these headshots.
FPS mode is, for my part, probably the most interesting characteristic of the Legion Go. Be aware that it’s not solely nice for aiming in FPS games, however permits for simpler searching on the desktop, too. It even has a scroll wheel on the again. Certain, each the ROG Ally and Legion Go have touchscreen panels, however throwing a mouse into the combination by no means damage anyone. Mix this with a keyboard related to one in every of its two USB-C ports, or through Bluetooth, and you’ve got a fairly succesful little desktop PC.
Lastly, having seemingly discovered from the Steam Deck in a approach the ROG Ally has not, the Legion Go has a touchpad below the appropriate analogue stick, permitting for simpler in-game or desktop mouse cursor motion. So even when you do not have a floor to relaxation it on for FPS mode, normal desktop use must be lots smoother with the Lenovo Legion Go.
Working system
Each the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go run Microsoft Home windows 11. In addition they use the identical processor, so the desktop expertise must be virtually equivalent on each gadgets.
The selection to go for Home windows somewhat than one thing bespoke like Valve did with its SteamOS has execs and cons.
Should you’re a fan of simplicity and ease straight out of the field, Home windows 11 on a handheld gaming PC could be a bit too fiddly.
However, with a Home windows gadget you get entry to video games with out having to attend for devs to push out OS assist. And, in fact, you are not restricted to any explicit recreation consumer or platform, and this might prevent cash in the long term, permitting you to take your decide of all the newest game deals.
As a aspect observe, one factor to contemplate is that it could be a bit simpler to navigate the OS with the Legion Go due to its greater display and the choice to show the controller right into a mouse.
{Hardware} and efficiency
Offering we’re speaking concerning the Z1 Excessive model of the Asus ROG Ally somewhat than the cheaper, common Z1 model, each the Ally and the Go ought to carry out equally.
After we examined the ROG Ally, we discovered that the Z1 Excessive was able to outperforming the Steam Deck fairly simply offering you run it at a excessive sufficient TDP and crank its energy draw. However, in fact, this can drain your battery faster, and whereas the Legion Go’s battery has about 23% extra capability at 49.2Wh, at such a excessive TDP this additional capability will not make an enormous distinction.
The Legion Go has quicker reminiscence than the ROG Ally, however RAM capability is identical for each consoles. In most video games, the elevated reminiscence velocity in all probability will not generate a lot additional efficiency – perhaps a body or two right here or there.
We also needs to observe that whereas the display is best on the Legion Go, its {hardware} won’t permit it to make full use of that in each recreation. The Ryzen Z1 Excessive is a cell chip, and its GPU ought to give comparable efficiency to a midrange gaming laptop computer from circa 2019 such because the GTX 1650.
In different phrases, with each gadgets you will in all probability find yourself decreasing your decision and in-game settings anyway to take care of a playable framerate in fashionable video games, making the Legion Go’s increased decision and refresh price considerably redundant for a minimum of some fashionable titles.
Which is Higher: Lenovo Legion Go or Asus ROG Ally?
Provided that the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally each have MSRPs of $699, until you discover it too heavy and unwieldy, the clear winner is the Legion Go.
All of the drawbacks of the Legion Go – potential issues with Home windows 11 on a touchscreen handheld, battery life when TDP is cranked, and many others. – are additionally issues with the ROG Ally. All, that’s, besides its measurement and weight. Should you’re apprehensive about hand or wrist fatigue then the ROG Ally could be a greater shout.
However, for this elevated measurement and weight, with the Legion Go you are getting barely higher {hardware} (because of the quicker reminiscence) and a a lot better display. And whereas not each recreation will be capable of make good use of this high-res, excessive refresh price panel, it is good to have even for simply searching the web or watching films.
WindowsReport / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
Editor’s Alternative
The Legion Go is the very best handheld gaming PC in its worth bracket, because of its stellar {hardware}, high-spec display, and flexibility.
This normal desktop utilization is the place I believe the true worth of the Legion Go lies. The additions of removable controllers, a touchpad, two USB-C ports (for simpler peripheral connectivity), and the flexibility to show the right-side controller right into a mouse by enabling FPS mode, make for a way more versatile and succesful desktop expertise.
That is no small factor, both. For $699, many customers may need not only a nice handheld gaming PC, however one thing that may additionally often be used instead of a laptop computer when on the go, or maybe simply when sitting down at dwelling away from the PC. The Legion Go is a lot better outfitted to deal with these numerous use instances, and for that cause comes out on prime.
The Asus ROG Ally, nevertheless, continues to be a superb various if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing that is good to your backpack, because it’s smaller and lighter and presents very comparable efficiency.
ASUS ROG Ally
Good various
The ROG Ally continues to be an ideal handheld gaming PC in its worth bracket. It performs higher than different choices just like the Steam Deck, and is lighter and smaller than the Legion Go.
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