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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 gives 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 value is the Asus ROG Ally, so on this article, we’ll offer you all the information you should determine between the 2 handhelds.
Again in September, we bought our palms on the Legion Go – a pre-production model, no less than – and in the course of the quick time we spent with it we preferred what we noticed. We additionally preferred the Asus ROG Ally once we tried that handheld console in June, and though we had considerations in regards to the Home windows 11 expertise with the Ally, these considerations 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 just evaluate them when you’re out there for a handheld gaming PC. Let’s get into it.
Value, specs, and availability
The Asus ROG Ally has been round since June 2023 when it launched for $699 MSRP. The Lenovo Legion Go, alternatively, launched on the finish of October 2023, additionally for an MSRP of $699. Each could be picked up from the producers’ web sites or Finest Purchase.
Whereas each handhelds run an AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive processor, with the Ally you may go for the much less highly effective common Z1 (non-Excessive) APU for $100 much less. The common Z1, nonetheless, performs a lot worse than the Z1 Excessive and makes different choices just like the Steam Deck a more sensible choice.
We must also be aware that it may 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 customary M.2 2230 SSDs. This should not be a difficulty for many players, although, as a result of you may get a 1TB model of the Legion Go for simply $50 further, 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 charge
Design and show
The Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go are fairly totally different by way of design and show. The lengthy story quick 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. In actual fact, it is about the identical dimension because the Steam Deck, however has a much 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, larger res, and has a better refresh charge. Each are IPS panels, however 1600p is noticeably higher than 1080p, and an additional 1.8 inches on the diagonal is implausible for a handheld console. This being mentioned, the ROG Ally’s show is not any joke – it is nonetheless higher than the Steam Deck’s, as an illustration – it is simply that the Legion Go’s is that significantly better.
One other approach wherein the Legion Go shines is in its capacity to detach its controllers similar to the Nintendo Swap. It additionally has a kick-stand on the again so you may 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, the truth is. And whereas it is not huge, the additional couple of centimetres in width and peak are noticeable when utilizing the system. As at all times with handhelds, it is a query of display dimension and efficiency vs system dimension 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 function an Xbox-style format 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 when you’re used to Xbox controllers, whereas one thing like a Steam Deck is nice when you’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 when you fancy resting your palms in your lap when you sport, you may nonetheless relaxation your console display on one thing nearer to eye stage after flipping out its kickstand. (Sadly, although, the left and proper sides do not be part of collectively like they do with the Swap.)
Aside from this, in all probability the most important benefit to the Legion Go over the ROG Ally is its “FPS mode”. This primarily permits 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 system, flip the underside swap over to FPS mode, and the optical sensor activates. Now, you should use it like a vertical mouse and begin cracking these headshots.
FPS mode is, in my view, essentially the most interesting function of the Legion Go. Observe that it is not solely nice for aiming in FPS video games, however permits for simpler shopping 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 combo by no means damage anyone. Mix this with a keyboard linked 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 underneath the best 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 loads 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 nearly similar on each units.
The selection to go for Home windows relatively than one thing bespoke like Valve did with its SteamOS has execs and cons.
When you’re a fan of simplicity and ease straight out of the field, Home windows 11 on a handheld gaming PC may be a bit of too fiddly.
Then again, with a Home windows system you get entry to video games with out having to attend for devs to push out OS help. And, after all, you are not restricted to any explicit sport shopper or platform, and this might prevent cash in the long term, permitting you to take your decide of all the newest sport offers.
As a aspect be aware, one factor to think about is that it may be a bit of 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 in regards to the Z1 Excessive model of the Asus ROG Ally relatively than the cheaper, common Z1 model, each the Ally and the Go ought to carry out equally.
Once 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, after all, this may 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 further capability will not make an enormous distinction.
The Legion Go has quicker reminiscence than the ROG Ally, however RAM capability is similar for each consoles. In most video games, the elevated reminiscence pace in all probability will not generate a lot further efficiency – possibly a body or two right here or there.
We must also be aware that whereas the display is best on the Legion Go, its {hardware} won’t enable it to make full use of that in each sport. The Ryzen Z1 Excessive is a cellular 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 units you may in all probability find yourself reducing your decision and in-game settings anyway to take care of a playable framerate in trendy video games, making the Legion Go’s larger decision and refresh charge considerably redundant for no less than some trendy 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, except 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 dimension and weight. When you’re fearful about hand or wrist fatigue then the ROG Ally may be a greater shout.
Then again, for this elevated dimension and weight, with the Legion Go you are getting barely higher {hardware} (due to the quicker reminiscence) and a significantly better display. And whereas not each sport will be capable to make excellent use of this high-res, excessive refresh charge panel, it is good to have even for simply shopping the web or watching films.
WindowsReport / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
Editor’s Alternative
The Legion Go is the perfect handheld gaming PC in its value bracket, due to 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 would possibly 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 residence away from the PC. The Legion Go is significantly better geared up to deal with these numerous use circumstances, and for that purpose comes out on prime.
The Asus ROG Ally, nonetheless, continues to be a superb different when you’re on the lookout for one thing that is good in your backpack, because it’s smaller and lighter and gives very comparable efficiency.
ASUS ROG Ally
Good different
The ROG Ally continues to be a fantastic handheld gaming PC in its value bracket. It performs higher than different choices just like the Steam Deck, and is lighter and smaller than the Legion Go.
