Hello, hello! Welcome back to another unboxing and first impressions post by yours truly, and this time, we’re looking at the Lenovo Legion Go!
I’m excited to share what I thought of the portable gaming device, so let’s get to it! 🙂
Lenovo Legion Go – Specs, Pricing, & Availability
I am sure you’re curious about the technical specs of the Lenovo Legion Go, so here are all the details about the unit that Legion Philippines lent to me:
CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8C, 16T, 3.3GHz)
GPU: AMD Radeon (RDNATM 3 Architecture)
OS: Windows 11 Home
Memory: 16GB LPDDR5x-7500, soldered
Storage: Up to 1TB M.2 2242 SSD
Display: 8.8” WQXGA (2560×1600), Multi-touch, IPS, 500nits, 16:10, 144Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Dimensions: 298.83 x 131 x 40.7 mm (11.76 x 5.16 x 1.60 inches)
Weight: Less than 854 g (1.88 lbs)
Ports: 1x microSD card reader, 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm), 2x Pogo pin connector (5-point), 2x USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0, and DisplayPortTM 1.4)
Color: Shadow Black
With all the powerful hardware indicated above, it’s unsurprising that the price point starts at Php 49,995. If you’re lucky, you can purchase the portable for as low as Php 47,995.20 through the brand’s official channels.
The Legion Go is already available in the Philippines, so you don’t have to worry about waiting for any pre-orders. But make sure to do so soon as you never know when stocks will run out. 🙂
Legion Go – Packaging & Features
Unboxing the Lenovo Legion Go feels the same as unboxing any other unit from the brand. The packaging is sleek and straightforward.
When you open the box, the device’s cardboard sleeve greets you with a lot of fancily drawn information to help you jumpstart your gaming adventures.
The charger can be found in the compartment to the right of the box, and that’s pretty much it! XD
It’s also nice that the Legion Go comes with a hard case so it’s easily protected when you decide to carry it wherever you go.
Powerful, Compact Gaming On-the Go
Equipped with AMD’s newest Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and AMD RDNA 3 graphics, it seems the Legion Go can run many triple-A titles with ease on paper.
I tested its capabilities through Hogwarts Legacy, a resource-heavy action RPG that other devices struggle to run. And I was pleasantly surprised to see the Legion Go running the game more quickly than most, fresh out of installation. With some tweaks in the settings, I could start and run the game smoothly on the unit!
It also helps that the Legion Go has an 8.8-inch QHD+ touchscreen display. The screen’s largeness is very obvious, and it is a great way to catch intricate details when playing games.
Unique Form Factor and Controller Layout
The Legion Go’s unique form factor and controller features were probably what caught the attention of many when it was first announced. And yes, it is very reminiscent of a Nintendo Switch!
Detaching the controllers from the main screen allows gamers to enjoy the device in several ways. Plus, the FPS mode is a great hook for those who particularly love that specific genre of video games.
Ease to Use but Needs Heavy Tinkering
What I loved the most about the Legion Go was how easy it was to use out of the box. Even though it’s not native to any gaming platform, programs are easy to install and utilize once you’re connected to the internet. The touchscreen is so responsive that it feels like you’re really using a PC, albeit in handheld mode.
However, patience is definitely needed to learn all the ins and outs of the device. There is still a lot of tweaking and customization involved for you to enjoy all the capabilities of the Legion Go fully.
So, if you enjoy tinkering with and min-maxing your devices, the Legion Go might be a perfect fit. HAHA!
Lenovo Legion Go – First Impressions & Gaming Experience
Honestly, the Lenovo Legion Go is an absolute unit. It has extremely powerful hardware packed inside its frame. And I’m sure it will be able to run future triple-A titles without so much of a problem.
However, as I mentioned previously, a lot of tinkering and customization is needed to feel like you’ve fully optimized the device. Even if it ran Hogwarts Legacy better than most devices after installation, I still had to change settings to ensure the game performed well.
The same can be said when I played Coral Island, the cozy indie game I’ve enjoyed recently. Performance issues like FPS drops and lag will be present if you don’t tweak your settings!
I noticed no issues with the device overheating or feeling the heat on my fingertips while gaming. The battery life is kinda decent with around 2-3 hours of straight gaming, as long as you’re in power-saving mode.
I also loved that it had two USB-C slots on it. This makes it easier to charge the device and connect other things to it if you need to! 🙂
However, I have some personal issues with the size and weight of the Legion Go. Even though it weighs only 1.88 lbs, it feels hefty for someone with short, stubby fingers like me. HAHAHA. Compared to my Steam Deck, which only weighs 1.48 lbs, playing with Legion Go felt like I was holding up a baby that got heavier over time. /cries
BUT. I don’t really see this as an issue for stronger people. And fortunately, the device has a built-in stand, so you can continue playing with the controllers detached!
All in all, my feelings for the Lenovo Legion Go are quite mixed. On one hand, I understand the device’s uniqueness. The detachable controllers are really interesting, and I am sure FPS gamers will enjoy the FPS mode with them!
But on the other hand, I am quite happy with my Steam Deck. The Legion Go’s size and weight make it hard for it to be portable for someone small and dainty (LOL WHAT) like me. HAHAHAHAHA.
The amount of tinkering that needs to be done will also be a challenge for someone like me who has no time and simply wants to start up their portable gaming unit just to play. LOL.
And that’s it, let me know what you think! You can learn more about the Lenovo Legion Go through the official website. See you next time! 🙂
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