Lecture Notes: Lenovo Legion Go Review

Introduction

• PC Handheld Evolution

  • Existed for years before the Steam Deck.
  • Steam Deck started a revolution, motivating laptop manufacturers to enter the market.
  • Asus released the ROG Ally in June.
  • Lenovo joined the market with the Lenovo Legion Go.
  • Growth of Market:
    • Shows the niche is growing.
    • Lenovo's feature set is ambitious and innovative.

• Unique Feature

  • FPS mode: Access to a real mouse by detaching controls.
  • Potential to serve an audience interested in online shooters.
  • Steam Deck and other handhelds lack optimized aiming mechanics or compatibility with certain games due to anti-cheat software.
  • Legion Go can be a versatile device for many users, not just online shooters enthusiasts.

Hands-On Experience

Pickup and Unboxing

• Micro Center

  • 26 stores nationwide, more opening soon.
  • Endcap display for trying out the device.
  • 15-day return policy.
  • Assistance with questions, storage upgrades.
  • Availability of accessories.
  • Sponsored the video.

• Unboxing

  • Two compartments: power brick and case.
  • Power brick: 65 watts, charged from 25% to 90% in about 45 mins.
  • Case: Fits only the handheld itself and FPS mode accessories.
  • Recommendation: Avoid charging while in sleep mode inside the case.

Design and Build Quality

• Size and Ergonomics

  • Bigger than Steam Deck and ROG Ally, slightly smaller than Aya Neo 2.
  • Feels balanced and lighter due to ergonomic design.
  • Grippy texture on grips, smooth matte plastic elsewhere.
  • Matte plastic collects fingerprints and smudges.
  • Durable build quality.

• Controls and Buttons

  • Two textures: grippy for grips, smooth matte plastic.
  • Buttons and D-pad are comfortable and ergonomic.
  • Removable controllers, FPS mode base, kickstand.
  • Kickstand is durable and wide.

Display and Audio

• Screen

  • 8.8-inch, 2560x1600 resolution.
  • Switchable resolutions: 800p, 1200p, and 1600p.
  • Brightness comparable to ROG Ally and Steam Deck.
  • Color accuracy: 100% sRGB with over 500 nits peak brightness.
  • Refresh rate: 144Hz, not VRR; no noticeable screen tearing.

• Speakers and Fan Noise

  • Good sound quality but quieter than ROG Ally.
  • Fan noise comparable to ROG Ally, louder than Steam Deck.
  • Trade-off for higher performance and larger resolution.

Performance and Benchmarks

Specs and Operations

• APU: AMD Z1 Extreme.
• Presets
  • Quiet: 10W TDP
  • Balance: 15W TDP
  • Performance: 20W TDP
  • Custom: 5-30W adjustable TDP

Benchmarks

• Performance and Power Usage

  • Performance mode seen as the sweet spot (20W).
  • 20W mode offers significant performance gains over 15W mode.
  • Marginal improvements beyond 20W; diminishing returns around 25W to 30W.
  • Plug-in behavior correlates with battery charge, TDP can increase when fully charged.

• Comparisons with ROG Ally

  • Balance preset (15W) vs Turbo preset (25W).
  • Legion Go has slight advantage in benchmark frame rates at similar power levels.

Battery Life

• Battery Performance
  • 2-4 hours depending on usage.
  • More demanding games: around 2 hours.
  • Less demanding games: up to 4 hours.
  • Better battery life and frame rate compared to Steam Deck due to 1200p resolution.

Heat and Noise

• Temperature Management
  • Stay relatively cool, does not exceed 60°C during testing.
  • Fans are noticeable but not excessively loud.

Software and Navigation

Legion Space Software

• Navigation Methods

  • Primary navigation with trackpad.
  • Right side control panel (R button) and left menu (L button).

• Settings and Customization

  • Quick settings: brightness, volume, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth toggle, resolution, refresh rate.
  • Performance settings: TDP modes, battery and system monitor.
  • Productivity options: disable touchpad, set external display as primary.

• Customization and Profiles

  • Button remapping, different profiles for gamepad and FPS modes.
  • Profile creation and switching based on the game.
  • Controller firmware updates.

Final Thoughts

Pros

• FPS Mode: Game-changing feature for shooters and mouse-based games.
• Performance: Good balance of power and battery life.
• Versatility: Multiple gaming modes and media consumption options.

Cons

• Speakers: Not as loud or high quality as competitors.
• Screen: Portrait orientation could be a disadvantage, lacks VRR.
• Fan Noise: Louder than some competitors but manageable.
• Legion Space: Pre-release software, minor quirks and bugs.

Conclusion

• Lenovo Legion Go offers innovative features and solid performance.
• FPS mode stands out as a unique selling point.
• Worth considering for users interested in PC handheld gaming, especially for shooters.
• Software expected to improve over time, enhancing overall experience.