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Valve
Valve Steam Deck
The Steam Deck stays the default alternative within the PC gaming handheld market, though it is now now not the freshest gadget on the {hardware} facet.
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Home windows Report / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
The Legion Go is not out but, but it surely’s a critical Steam Deck competitor with some distinctive touches like removable controllers and FPS mode.
Now that we have had a hands-on test of Lenovo’s next gaming handheld, we now have a significantly better thought of what it gives. After all, the apparent comparability is Valve’s Steam Deck, however how does it fare? We have put the 2 sizzling handhelds face to face to see the place every excels.
It is necessary to notice that whereas we now have used the Legion Go, it was an early pre-production unit, and we had been restricted in the kind of testing that we may carry out. We can’t have a full grasp on how these two merchandise evaluate till we get our fingers on the ultimate model. Within the meantime, although, here is how they stack up.
Worth, specs and availability
The Steam Deck was launched in February 2022 and has been out there to buy ever since. The costs vary from $399 for the bottom mannequin to $649 for the top-spec model.
The Legion Go is ready to launch in October 2023 and it will begin at $699, so it is considerably dearer than the Steam Deck, but it surely additionally has a lot greater specs. The Legion Go could be configured with as much as a Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip, the identical mannequin that options within the $699 ROG Ally. Nevertheless, it appears that it’ll even be out there with lower-spec processors, so the Z1 Excessive chip will possible value additional.
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Valve Steam Deck
- Dimensions
- 298x117x49 mm
- Model
- Valve
- Chipset
- AMD Zen 2 APU/8 RDNA 2 CUs
- Show
- 7-inch IPS
- Weight
- 669g
- RAM
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Storage
- Upto 512GB NVME SSD
- Output decision
- 1280 x 800 (16:10), 60 Hz
- Ports
- 1x USB-Cheers, 1x 3.5mm
- Battery
- 40Wh
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Lenovo Legion Go
- Dimensions
- 299x131x41 mm
- Model
- Lenovo
- Chipset
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive
- Show
- 8.8-inch IPS
- Weight
- 854g
- RAM
- 16GB 7500Mhz LPDDR5X
- Storage
- As much as 1TB PCIe 4.0
- Output decision
- 2560×1600 16:10 144Hz
- Ports
- 2x USB-C, 1X 3.5mm
- Battery
- 49.2 Wh
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: Design and show
The Steam Deck and Legion Go are equally sized, however the Go is sort of a bit heavier. This can be partially because of the bigger show, which measures 8.8 inches with very slender bezels, in comparison with the Steam Deck’s humble 7-inch show.
The Steam Deck is one built-in unit, with management sticks and buttons laid out round it, however the Legion Go takes issues in a fairly completely different course, opting to ape the Nintendo Switch by having removable controllers.
The Legion Go has an built-in kickstand, which lets you set it down on a desk and use the controllers remotely. It additionally boasts an additional USB-C port, so you’ll be able to cost and use wired equipment concurrently with out the necessity for a hub.
Each items have IPS shows, however the Legion’s is way superior. We have already talked about that it is bodily bigger, but it surely additionally has twice the decision and over double the refresh charge. After all, with the restricted horsepower of units like this, how effectively it may well reap the benefits of this additional decision stays to be seen. On the very least, although, watching YouTube movies will likely be a visible deal with on the Go.
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: Controls
The structure of controls is slightly completely different between the 2 handhelds, too. The Steam Deck has a structure that sees each analogue sticks sit on the similar peak, whereas the Legion Go makes use of an uneven setup, like an Xbox controller. It additionally options Corridor Impact joysticks as normal, so you’ll be able to wave goodbye to issues like stick drift.
The Steam Deck has two trackpads, one on either side of the show however the Legion Go solely has a single unit on the precise. Each handhelds characteristic touchscreen shows in its place technique of enter.
In the meantime, the Steam Deck’s total management sections are so much wider than the Legion Go’s, with the latter squeezing issues right into a narrower slice of actual property. Nevertheless, the Legion Go has loads of junk within the trunk, so it maintains an ergonomic and cozy grip place.
For probably the most half, the management scheme is analogous, except for the truth that you’ll be able to separate the Legion Go’s controllers from its major physique. However, these detachable controllers have one other neat trick up their sleeve. By flicking a swap on the right-hand controller, you’ll be able to enter FPS mode, which helps you to use it as a vertical mouse.
On this mode, you employ the left controller’s joystick to manage your motion (like WASD on a PC) whereas the precise stick can swipe throughout a desk to manage your intention. It is a way more correct and aggressive method to play shooters and a characteristic that is fully distinctive to the Legion Go.
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: Working system
A part of what makes the Steam Deck simple to make use of is that it runs on customized software program – primarily a modified model of Linux that may run Steam and video games that you just purchase by Steam (though not all of them). This limits the ecosystem slightly but in addition ensures that the person expertise is fairly clean and curated.
In contrast, the Legion Go runs Windows 11, permitting virtually limitless sport choices, in addition to the flexibility to double up as a Home windows pill, or a workstation, with the precise equipment.
From our testing of the ROG Ally, we all know that Home windows on a handheld can typically be a hindrance as a lot as a assist, since utilizing a tiny PC with out a keyboard could be fairly fiddly when updates are wanted or issues go flawed.
We have to take a look at additional to see how the Legion Go fares in day-to-day use, but it surely’s protected to imagine there will likely be slightly extra tinkering concerned with a Home windows-based system. Whether or not it is well worth the trouble all relies on the person.
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: {Hardware} and efficiency
Valve makes a number of variations of the Steam Deck, with enhancements to storage and the show as non-obligatory up-sells for many who need probably the most spectacular attainable model of its gadget. All fashions run on the identical Zen 2-based AMD APU and all include 16GB of LPDDR5 reminiscence.
We all know that there will likely be configurable choices for the Legion Go, too, however we do not know precisely how they will break down. What we do know, is that each one fashions will include 16GB of 7500Mhz of LPDDR5X RAM and all storage choices will likely be PCIe Gen 4. We additionally know that the battery pack is bigger on the Legion Go, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not this ends in additional playtime.
We weren’t in a position to extract a lot invaluable efficiency information from our temporary take a look at of the Legion Go, however we now have an thought of its efficiency from testing the Ryzen Z1 Excessive model of the ROG Ally. Basically, in the event you run at a excessive TDP it ought to outperform the Steam Deck in each method, however that may come at the price of battery life. After all, in the event you’re at residence, with prepared entry to energy sockets, then it is not a lot of a problem, however once you’re out and about, you may possible wish to commerce some efficiency for longer playtimes.
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: Which is best for you?
For now, this can be a easy query to reply – because the Steam Deck is the one one of many two which you could purchase proper now. Should you’re feeling impatient it is the apparent decide for many who need a PC gaming transportable.
It really works like a appeal and has had a fairly enormous and rapid affect available on the market for good motive, inspiring imitators and innovators already. That mentioned, whereas it is not lengthy within the tooth, it is also now not cutting-edge in some methods.
Valve Steam Deck
Editor’s Alternative
A superb PC gaming handheld, the Steam Deck is a good purchase to at the present time, and in contrast to the Legion Go you may get it proper now.
Nevertheless implausible the Steam Deck is, although, the Legion Go seems to be like a very attention-grabbing competitor that is solely simply over the horizon. It is set to be a bit extra highly effective and has a a lot nicer show, together with its distinctive FPS mode for aggressive gaming on the go. Those that wish to be on the bleeding edge may presumably stand to attend slightly to see the way it stacks up in the actual world.
WindowsReport / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
Promising various
We’ll know extra when it is out correctly, however the Legion Go is wanting mighty promising from our temporary hands-on session.
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