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Valve
Valve Steam Deck
The Steam Deck stays the default selection within the PC gaming handheld market, though it is now not the freshest machine on the {hardware} aspect.
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Home windows Report / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
The Legion Go is not out but, however it’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 concept of what it affords. After all, the plain 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 vital 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 might carry out. We cannot have a full grasp on how these two merchandise examine till we get our arms 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 accessible 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, however it additionally has a lot increased specs. The Legion Go might be configured with as much as a Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip, the identical mannequin that options within the $699 ROG Ally. Nonetheless, it appears that it’s going to even be accessible with lower-spec processors, so the Z1 Excessive chip will probably 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 kind 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 totally 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 models have IPS shows, however the Legion’s is much superior. We have already talked about that it is bodily bigger, however it additionally has twice the decision and over double the refresh charge. After all, with the restricted horsepower of gadgets like this, how effectively it might probably make the most of this additional decision stays to be seen. On the very least, although, watching YouTube movies might be a visible deal with on the Go.
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: Controls
The format of controls is slightly totally different between the 2 handhelds, too. The Steam Deck has a format that sees each analogue sticks sit on the identical 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 both sides of the show however the Legion Go solely has a single unit on the precise. Each handhelds function touchscreen shows instead technique of enter.
In the meantime, the Steam Deck’s general management sections are loads wider than the Legion Go’s, with the latter squeezing issues right into a narrower slice of actual property. Nonetheless, the Legion Go has loads of junk within the trunk, so it maintains an ergonomic and comfy grip place.
For probably the most half, the management scheme is comparable, apart from the truth that you’ll be able to separate the Legion Go’s controllers from its foremost physique. However, these detachable controllers have one other neat trick up their sleeve. By flicking a change 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 regulate your motion (like WASD on a PC) whereas the precise stick can swipe throughout a desk to regulate your intention. It is a way more correct and aggressive method to play shooters and a function that is utterly distinctive to the Legion Go.
Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go: Working system
A part of what makes the Steam Deck straightforward 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 simply purchase by Steam (though not all of them). This limits the ecosystem slightly but in addition ensures that the consumer expertise is fairly clean and curated.
In contrast, the Legion Go runs Windows 11, permitting nearly limitless recreation choices, in addition to the power 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 and not using a keyboard might be fairly fiddly when updates are wanted or issues go mistaken.
We have to check additional to see how the Legion Go fares in day-to-day use, however it’s secure to imagine there might be slightly extra tinkering concerned with a Home windows-based system. Whether or not it is definitely worth the problem all depends upon the consumer.
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-compulsory up-sells for many who need probably the most spectacular doable model of its machine. All fashions run on the identical Zen 2-based AMD APU and all include 16GB of LPDDR5 reminiscence.
We all know that there might be configurable choices for the Legion Go, too, however we do not know precisely how they’re going to break down. What we do know, is that each one fashions will include 16GB of 7500Mhz of LPDDR5X RAM and all storage choices might be PCIe Gen 4. We additionally know that the battery pack is bigger on the Legion Go, however it stays to be seen whether or not this ends in additional playtime.
We weren’t in a position to extract a lot precious efficiency knowledge from our temporary check of the Legion Go, however we now have an concept of its efficiency from testing the Ryzen Z1 Excessive model of the ROG Ally. Basically, when you run at a excessive TDP it ought to outperform the Steam Deck in each means, however that can come at the price of battery life. After all, when you’re at residence, with prepared entry to energy sockets, then it is not a lot of a difficulty, however once you’re out and about, you may probably 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 – for the reason that Steam Deck is the one one of many two which you can purchase proper now. In case you’re feeling impatient it is the plain decide for many who desire a PC gaming moveable.
It really works like a appeal and has had a fairly big and speedy influence available on the market for good cause, inspiring imitators and innovators already. That mentioned, whereas it is not lengthy within the tooth, it is also not cutting-edge in some methods.
Valve Steam Deck
Editor’s Selection
A wonderful PC gaming handheld, the Steam Deck is a superb purchase to at the present time, and in contrast to the Legion Go you may get it proper now.
Nonetheless incredible 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 might presumably stand to attend slightly to see the way it stacks up in the true world.
WindowsReport / Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Go
Promising various
We’ll know extra when it is out correctly, however the Legion Go is trying mighty promising from our temporary hands-on session.
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