The handheld gaming PC market, currently dominated by Valve’s Steam Deck, might soon have a new major player. Lenovo’s rumoured “Legion Go” is generating significant buzz, particularly with this week’s release of potential first-look images from Windows Report.
At first glance, the Legion Go is reminiscent of popular handhelds like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. However, it differentiates itself with striking features that echo the Nintendo Switch, from detachable Joy-Con-like controllers to a robust kickstand inspired by the Switch OLED for tabletop gaming. The device is reported to sport an eight-inch screen and exhibits a pronounced thickness, possibly hinting at a hefty battery.
Unique to the Legion Go is a single touch pad on the right controller and an intriguing wheel addition at its rear. Given the detachable nature of these controllers, speculations point to the possibility of a touchscreen display.
Insider sources from Windows Central suggest that powering the Legion Go is the AMD Phoenix processor, aligning it with devices like the ROG Ally. On the software side, it’s poised to run on Windows 11, potentially allowing users to play a broad range of Windows games, depending on the device’s hardware specs.
Lenovo is no stranger to the world of handheld gaming. They’ve previously showcased the “LaVie Mini” concept with NEC at CES 2021 and even dabbled with an Android-based gaming device called the “Legion Play”, although it remained unreleased.
While Asus opted for a slimmer design with compromised battery life in the ROG Ally, devices like the forthcoming Ayaneo Kun and possibly the Legion Go seem to be emphasizing longer battery life.
Lenovo remains tight-lipped, refraining from any comments on these developments. Yet, the gaming community is abuzz with anticipation. If the Legion Go materializes, it could redefine how we perceive handheld gaming PCs and position Lenovo as a serious contender in this market. How it stands against giants like the Steam Deck will be the narrative to watch.