Lenovo Legion Go Review: My Experience

The Lenovo Legion Go isn’t just another Steam Deck alternative—it’s Lenovo’s bold attempt at creating a premium handheld gaming PC. And after spending quality time with it, I can say it delivers on power, visuals, and versatility, though not without some compromises.

👉Click here to read full review and test on this PC

Design and Feel

This thing is big. Its large 8.8-inch screen and detachable controllers make it chunkier than its rivals, but I found the size surprisingly comfortable. The build feels solid, and the kickstand is genuinely useful—especially when propping it up to use with a controller or keyboard.

The detachable controllers, inspired by the Nintendo Switch, go a step further with FPS mode, allowing one to double as a mouse. It’s not just a gimmick—it actually works, especially for shooter fans willing to adapt.

Stunning Display

The display is easily the highlight. A QHD+ IPS panel with 144Hz refresh rate, it’s unmatched in this category. Whether you’re playing indie games or graphically intense titles, the clarity and color are top-tier. Honestly, once you’ve gamed at this resolution on a handheld, it’s hard to go back.

Performance & Battery

Powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme, the Legion Go can handle most modern games comfortably at 1080p. From Cyberpunk 2077 to Hades, performance was smooth, especially with FSR enabled.

But all that power drains the battery fast—expect 2–3 hours max under load. That’s the tradeoff for desktop-class performance on the go.

Software Experience

It runs Windows 11, which means you can play virtually anything—Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games, you name it. But Windows still isn’t fully optimized for handhelds, so there’s a bit of desktop fiddling involved. Lenovo’s own launcher helps, but it’s still a work in progress.

My Experience

When I first unboxed the Lenovo Legion Go, I didn’t treat it like a test unit—I treated it like my main gaming rig for a week. That meant long nights on Baldur’s Gate 3, quick Rocket League matches during breaks, and even using it to run a few productivity apps for work. And truthfully? It handled most of it like a champ.

What really stood out to me was the freedom it gave me. I could be in the living room, kitchen, or even outdoors, and I was still running full-fledged PC games. The display made games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps feel like animated art pieces. The 144Hz refresh rate wasn’t just marketing—it genuinely made a difference in responsiveness, especially for fast-paced games.

I also loved the FPS controller mode. At first, I brushed it off as a gimmick. But after a bit of adjustment, I found myself landing more precise shots in Call of Duty Warzone than I ever could with regular stick controls. That magnetic dock turned a handheld controller into something that genuinely felt competitive.

That said, there were moments where I was reminded it’s still a first-gen product. Windows was occasionally clunky to navigate with just the touchscreen and joysticks. And yes, I carried the charger everywhere—battery anxiety is real with this device.

Still, I found myself coming back to it constantly. Not just to test, but to enjoy. And that says a lot.

If Lenovo refines the software and improves battery life in the next version, this could very well be the gold standard for portable gaming PCs.

Final Thoughts

If you're after the most powerful and visually stunning handheld gaming device available right now, the Lenovo Legion Go is hard to beat. Just be ready for some software quirks and short battery life.

Rating: 8.8/10

Want a deeper dive into FPS mode, real-world game performance, and how it compares to the Steam Deck and ROG Ally?

👉 [Read the full Lenovo Legion Go review here].

👉Click here to read full review and test on this PC