Revolutionizing Gaming on the Go: Did the Lenovo Legion Go Steam Deck a Better Deal in Stores for Half the Price?
Handheld Gaming PCs: A New Era of Portability and Performance
If there’s one category of PC hardware that’s got me particularly excited lately, it’s handheld gaming PCs. The launch of the Steam Deck in 2022 set the stage for a whole host of competitors, with Asus and Lenovo being notable contenders. The Lenovo Legion Go, in particular, has piqued my interest with its promising specs and price point.
Despite the growing competition, Valve’s handheld has maintained its popularity thanks to its affordability, performance, and user-friendly SteamOS operating system. But what about Lenovo’s latest offering, the Legion Go S Z2 Go Windows 11 model? How does it stack up against the Steam Deck?
A Close Comparison
While we await the release of Lenovo’s Legion Go successor, the Z2 Go Windows 11 model has given us a glimpse into what’s to come. Powered by the new Ryzen Z2 Go processor, it boasts better performance than the Steam Deck, according to multiple benchmarks and reviews. However, it comes at a price – a hefty $729 / £649 / AU$1,170, which is significantly more expensive than the Steam Deck.
A Potential Game-Changer
Lenovo also plans to release a Z1 Extreme model, which is expected to outperform both the Legion Go S Z2 Go and Steam Deck OLED. But there’s no word on pricing or release date yet.
Despite this, I’m more convinced than ever that the success of the Legion Go S will come from its potential to offer better performance than Valve’s Steam Deck, while also challenging it on value for money. The current handheld gaming PC market seems to be plagued by either expensive devices that are powerful but lack value or affordable options that struggle to deliver satisfactory performance.
Benchmarks: A Mixed Bag
While I haven’t had the chance to test the Lenovo Legion Go S myself, multiple benchmarks and reviews have given us a glimpse into its performance. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p medium graphics settings, the Z2 Go handheld is only 10.1% faster than the Steam Deck OLED. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p low graphics settings, the Z2 Go managed 26.5 fps, while the Steam Deck OLED hit 25.0 fps with FSR turned off, resulting in a mere 5.8% performance difference.
A Question of Value
While you’ll likely get better results by turning the resolution down to 800p, it’s not enough to justify choosing the device over the Steam Deck. The Windows 11 version is also around the same price as the original Legion Go, which may be a weaker option in terms of ergonomics and comfort but boasts a more impressive 8.8-inch screen and Z1 Extreme performance.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag
In conclusion, while the Lenovo Legion Go S Z2 Go Windows 11 model offers better performance than the Steam Deck, it’s not enough to justify its significantly higher price tag. If you’re looking for a true Steam Deck killer, you may want to wait for the SteamOS model of the Lenovo Go, which starts at $499 and directly competes with the Steam Deck’s OLED variant price-wise. Only time will tell if Lenovo’s latest offering can finally challenge Valve’s dominance in the handheld gaming PC market.
