Lenovo Legion Go 2 evaluate: A gaming handheld dripping with luxurious

Best Prices Today: Lenovo Legion Go 2

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is a high-end handheld gaming PC that outshines the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X in some ways. The enormous 8.8-inch OLED show is gorgeous, and also you’re getting all the pieces from a built-in kickstand to removable controllers for flexibility. For a handheld gaming PC, that is nice {hardware}.

There are two enormous elephants within the room right here, so let’s get them out of the best way so I can evaluate the Lenovo Legion Go 2 for what it’s.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: The elephants

First, Windows 11 nonetheless isn’t prepared for a gaming handheld. When I reviewed the Lenovo Legion Go S, I famous how a lot of a multitude the interface is in comparison with the Steam Deck I personal.

For instance, Windows 11 has a “gamepad” keyboard format that allows you to navigate with the on-screen keyboard with the joysticks, however it’s not activated by default. You should faucet into the little settings menu within the on-screen keyboard and switch it on earlier than you should utilize mentioned on-screen keyboard with the joysticks. Many individuals will miss this buried setting. Why is that this not activated by default on a handheld gaming PC? Windows 11 is filled with points like this.

The excellent news is that Microsoft is making Windows higher for handheld PCs, however the unhealthy information is that Legion Go 2 house owners should look forward to the repair. The Legion Go 2 will get it in “Spring 2026.” If you need it sooner, you’ll have to purchase Asus’s ROG Xbox Ally, which will probably be out there in mid-October, shortly after the launch of this Lenovo’s Legion Go 2. I haven’t but gone palms on with ROG Xbox Ally console, however from a consumer expertise standpoint, I think about its optimized Windows expertise for handheld PCs goes to be a lot better than the Legion Go 2 at launch. (There’s already a leaked technique to allow it on any handheld, however your mileage might differ.)

The second elephant within the room is pricing. The Legion Go 2 we reviewed is $1,349 at launch, and the bottom mannequin begins at $1,099. Handheld PC gaming began off with surprisingly inexpensive {hardware}, however this gadget prices greater than many gaming laptops. It’s a premium gadget.

Tariffs are nearly actually accountable for a part of this. But offers can nonetheless be discovered — as I write this, it’s the Steam Autumn Sale and you may seize a base-model Steam Deck for $319.20. You’d have to essentially need higher-end {hardware} (with out a polished working system expertise) to select this over a Steam Deck.

However, in case you are on the lookout for a high-end handheld expertise and also you don’t thoughts the additional expense — and if you realize what you’re stepping into with the Windows working system quirks on a tool like this one — this handheld combines the newest high-end handheld-optimized {hardware} with a phenomenal OLED show in a pleasant kind issue, and I actually loved taking part in with it.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Specs

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 has an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor with AMD Radeon 890M-class graphics. I reviewed the $1,349 mannequin, which comes with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme {hardware} and 32GB of RAM. Bear in thoughts that the bottom mannequin comes with AMD Ryzen Z2 {hardware} and 16GB of RAM, so it received’t carry out on the similar degree.

Under the hood, that is RDNA 3.5 — the identical graphics you’ll discover in Ryzen AI 300 collection (Strix Point) laptops, however tuned for a handheld the place energy utilization is essential.

There’s so much to love right here: The RAM is soldered, however the inner SSD is consumer upgradable. Plus, this machine’s USB4 ports imply exterior GPUs are a risk.

• Model quantity: Lenovo Legion Go 2 83N0000BUS
• CPU: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme
• Memory: 32 GB LPDDR5x-8000 RAM
• Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon 890M
• NPU: None
• Display: 8.8-inch 1920×1200 OLED show with contact display screen and as much as 144Hz variable refresh fee
• Storage: 1 TB M.2 SSD
• Webcam: None
• Connectivity: 2x USB Type-C (USB4), 1x combo audio jack, 1x microSD card reader
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 74 Watt-hours
• Dimensions: 11.64 x 5.38 x 1.66 inches
• Weight: 2.03 kilos
• MSRP: $1,349 as examined

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Design and construct high quality

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is fabricated from black plastic — Lenovo calls this coloration “Eclipse Black.” It’s a considerate design that feels good to carry, and the plastic is high-quality. Lenovo has actually gone above and past considering by means of methods to make the {hardware} higher than many competing consoles, together with the Steam Deck I personal and the Legion Go S I reviewed.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 isn’t making an attempt to be the lightest console — it has a giant 8.8-inch OLED display screen — so it’s no shock it’s a bit on the heavy aspect. But the additional weight is a good commerce for the higher-end {hardware} and bigger display screen.

For instance, you’ll be able to simply detach the aspect controllers such as you’re utilizing a Nintendo Switch. The Legion Go 2 additionally has a built-in kickstand, so you’ll be able to simply prop it up and apply it to any floor. The energy button has a built-in fingerprint reader so that you don’t should faucet a PIN into the sign-in display screen every time you wake the console. While the aspect controllers are removable, you must press a button on the again of every one to detach them. While connected, they really feel extremely safe.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 isn’t making an attempt to be the lightest console — it has a giant 8.8-inch OLED display screen — so it’s no shock it’s a bit on the heavy aspect. At 2.02 kilos (in comparison with 1.41 kilos for a Steam Deck OLED), that’s an actual issue. It’s not that it’s too heavy to carry, however the weight discourages me from holding it in sure positions for prolonged intervals of time. But the additional weight is a good commerce for the higher-end {hardware} and bigger display screen.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Joysticks, controls, and trackpad

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 touts Hall Effect joysticks for a {smooth} expertise and no stick drift, and so they really feel nice. The buttons on the Lenovo Legion Go 2 really feel nice. Lenovo has additionally added a couple of further buttons for accessing Legion software program options, the desktop, and Alt+Tabbing between apps. On the highest of the hand held, you’ll discover energy and quantity buttons.

The proper controller can be utilized in “FPS Mode” — you detach it, snap it right into a base, and flip a swap on the underside. Then you’ll be able to maintain it and transfer it round. While it seems like a joystick, it’s extra like a digital mouse. I didn’t discover it significantly ergonomic in my experiments with it, however maybe you’ll like it should you put a while into studying it.

This handheld additionally has a good-size trackpad on the suitable controller, and it’s simply the suitable aspect and form to make use of the mouse together with your thumb. After the extraordinarily tiny trackpad on the Lenovo Legion Go S, this one feels glorious. But it’s not like a Steam Deck’s trackpads — there’s no haptic suggestions right here. It’s a handy technique to accomplish some mouse enter, however I wouldn’t wish to use it on a regular basis.

The show right here can also be a contact display screen with multi-touch. That’s typically essential for navigating Windows, however it does imply you’re inspired to place fingerprint smudges on the show.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Display and audio system

The Lenovo Legion Go 2’s show is certainly one of its standout options. It’s an 8.8-inch OLED display screen on a handheld PC. What’s to not like? I’m undecided I’d even need a bigger display screen than this one once I’m holding it this near my face!

With HDR help and as much as 1,100 nits of peak HDR brightness and a variable refresh fee as much as 144Hz, it’s lovely. And the show doesn’t appear to massively reduce into battery life, both. The battery life was ticking down at an inexpensive fee that felt much like different gaming handhelds I’ve used, regardless of this higher-end show.

While it is a vivid OLED show, it has a shiny floor. It’s vulnerable to reflections in shiny environments like direct daylight. If you’ll be utilizing this as a handheld console open air in difficult lighting environments, that’s going to be an issue: You might wish to search for a tool with a extra anti-reflective display screen. But shiny screens look lovely in the suitable lighting, and this one isn’t any exception.

The HDR help was one other place the place Windows 11 doesn’t make sense on this handheld: By default, Windows disabled HDR on this gadget whereas it was unplugged “to save battery life.” That’s yet one more instance of Windows not understanding these units.

The audio system listed here are nice for gaming. They had greater than sufficient quantity, and the chunky sounds of firing a shotgun in Doom: The Dark Ages had been satisfying. Naturally, there’s not lots of bass in a handheld console.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Microphone and biometrics

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 has a dual-array microphone setup. The microphone sounds high-quality, and the audio is obvious sufficient for in-game chat on a handheld gaming gadget. It’s a bit muffled — this doesn’t sound like a high-end enterprise laptop computer mic choosing up crystal-clear audio for Zoom conferences. But it’s lots good for voice chatting whereas gaming.

There’s no webcam on the Lenovo Legion Go 2, however you most likely wouldn’t need one and it could be a problem to suit it into the bezel.

Lenovo put a fingerprint reader into the ability button, and it really works extraordinarily nicely. When you wake the Legion Go 2 by urgent the ability button, it could possibly immediately signal you into Windows with Windows Hello. You simply should relaxation your finger on it for a split-second longer. It makes the expertise of waking the console quick and streamlines a significant ache level Windows 11 has on a gaming handheld.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Connectivity

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 has two USB Type-C ports, and each of them are USB4. You’ll discover one on the highest of the hand held and one on the underside. It comes with a USB-C charger, so it’ll cost by means of certainly one of these ports. Because these are speedy USB4 ports, this handheld must be prepared for exterior GPUs, too.

Aside from the 2 USB-C ports, you’ll discover a combo audio jack and a microSD card slot on the underside of the hand held. That’s it, and it’s loads of ports for handheld gaming PC. If you need extra ports when utilizing it at a desk, you’ll be able to join a dock to the USB-C port.

This gadget has each Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. I’d favor to see Wi-Fi 7 at this level, particularly in a premium $1,349 handheld gaming PC, however most individuals don’t have Wi-Fi 7 but anyway.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Performance

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 had strong efficiency. I used to be in a position to play Doom: The Dark Ages, and whereas I favor taking pictures demons with the next FPS, it was technically playable. Treating this like a console, I fired up video games like Sonic X Shadow Generations and noticed buttery-smooth efficiency. The actuality is that, whereas handhelds are enhancing so much, their graphics efficiency is much from high-end desktop or laptop computer GPUs. If you’re primarily trying to play the newest high-end, most-demanding video games, these is probably not excellent. But the {hardware} right here gives unimaginable {smooth} efficiency in older video games.

I used to be impressed by how quiet the followers stayed, even in demanding video games like Doom: The Dark Ages. The audio system may simply drown them out, and the console itself stayed snug, with cool air being sucked in on the underside of the gadget and blown out the vents on the highest. Playing a light-weight 2D recreation like Deltarune, they had been so quiet I may solely simply barely hear them as soon as I muted the sport.

As all the time once we evaluate gaming PCs, we ran the Lenovo Legion Go 2 by means of our normal benchmarks to see the way it performs. The outcomes present us the way it carried out towards earlier technology {hardware} (I benchmarked the Lenovo Legion Go S) in addition to trendy gaming laptops.

Spoiler: It’s a giant improve over the past Lenovo handheld I reviewed. In many workloads, the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme {hardware} within the Legion Go 2 was typically almost twice as quick because the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go {hardware} within the Legion Go S.

First, we run PCMark 10 to get an thought of total system efficiency. This is designed as an total system efficiency benchmark, however CPU efficiency is a giant issue.

With an total PCMark 10 rating of seven,285, total efficiency was fairly good. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme {hardware} right here is considerably forward of the lower-end AMD Ryzen Z2 Go {hardware} within the Lenovo Legion Go S. It scored on par with lower-end gaming laptops.

Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a closely multithreaded benchmark that focuses on total CPU efficiency. It’s a fast benchmark, so cooling below prolonged workloads isn’t an element. But, because it’s closely multithreaded, CPUs with extra cores have an enormous benefit.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 with its eight-core Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU produced a multi-threaded rating of 5,239, an enormous bounce over the Legion Go S. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t catch as much as bigger and extra power-hungry gaming laptops, however that is very respectable for a handheld PC.

We additionally run an encode with Handbrake. This is one other closely multithreaded benchmark, however it runs over an prolonged interval. This calls for the PC’s cooling kick in, and plenty of PCs will throttle and decelerate below load.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 accomplished the encode course of in 1,076 seconds, which is almost 18 minutes. That’s solely a bit slower than gaming laptops with AMD Ryzen {hardware}. It’s additionally an enormous enchancment over the Legion Go S’s efficiency right here.

Next, we run a graphical benchmark, identical to we do on gaming laptops. First, we run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU efficiency.

With an total 3DMark Time Spy rating of three,984, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 confirmed substantial enhancements over the Legion Go S. The HP Elitebook X G1a within the chart right here isn’t a gaming laptop computer, it’s a premium enterprise laptop computer with an identical GPU. That’s an ideal instance of what you’re getting right here — higher-end built-in graphics from AMD.

Compared to gaming laptops with beefy discrete GPUs, this machine is much behind on GPU efficiency. But that’s the concept. It’s designed for handheld use, probably away from {an electrical} outlet. Big gaming laptops should be plugged in to ship strong gaming efficiency.

After that, we run the benchmark constructed into Shadow of the Tomb Raider, an older recreation, however one which’s very helpful for evaluating efficiency throughout {hardware}.

With a median FPS of 40, Shadow of the Tomb Raider was playable on the very best settings right here, not like on the Lenovo Legion Go S. You’ll get even smoother efficiency should you nudge the settings down, however as soon as once more it is a nice instance of the relative efficiency of a handheld vs. a conventional gaming laptop computer.

Finally, we run the benchmark in Metro Exodus. This is a really demanding recreation, and we run it with excessive element settings. With a median FPS of 14 in our normal benchmark, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 was considerably sooner than the Legion Go S right here — almost twice as quick. But you’ll be able to see how a lot sooner gaming laptops are.

Overall, the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme and its Radeon 890M-class graphics delivered strong efficiency for a handheld gaming PC.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Battery life

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 has a 74 Watt-hour battery together with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme {hardware}, which might function between 15W and 35W of TDP. The exact battery life you’re going to get will closely rely upon how you utilize the hand held. A much less demanding recreation will use a lot much less energy. Also, you’ll be able to configure energy utilization by urgent the button on the high of the suitable controller and selecting your most well-liked thermal mode. “Performance” will ship extra {hardware} energy for gaming however drain the battery sooner, for instance. Depending on the sport you’re taking part in, decrease thermal settings could also be simply high-quality.

For our normal Windows PC battery benchmark, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled till the PC suspends itself. We set the display screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. This is a best-case state of affairs for any PC since native video playback is so environment friendly, and actual battery life in day-to-day use is all the time going to be lower than this.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 lasted 796 minutes on this check — that’s over 13 hours and beats even the HP Elitebook X G1a, which is a enterprise laptop computer. This {hardware} can actually scale down and sip electrical energy once you aren’t taking part in demanding video games.

Lenovo Legion Go 2: Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is a high-end handheld gaming PC. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and its Radeon 890M-class graphics delivered strong efficiency and effectivity for a handheld gaming PC, the display screen is huge and exquisite, and the {hardware} is nicely thought out. You get removable controllers and a kickstand for further flexibility, too.

But, between the Windows handheld expertise and tariffs driving up the price of {hardware}, Lenovo is preventing an uphill battle right here. At $1,349, you would presently purchase a $999 gaming laptop computer and a $319 Steam Deck and are available out forward with a extra highly effective laptop computer at your desk and a extra light-weight handheld for on-the-go gaming.

But if you’d like a handheld gaming PC with higher-end premium {hardware} — that 8.8-inch OLED is good — and also you’re prepared to attend for an improved software program expertise or take care of the realities of Windows 11 as we speak, you’ll be pleased with this, assuming you’re able to spend this a lot money.