By In many aspects, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is a more powerful portable gaming PC than the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. The enormous 8.8-inch OLED screen is stunning, and it comes with detachable controllers for added versatility and a built-in kickstand. This hardware is excellent for a portable gaming PC. In order for me to evaluate the Lenovo Legion Go 2 for what it is, let’s move past the two enormous elephants in the room.First off, Windows 11 is still not suitable for a mobile gaming device. In contrast to my Steam Deck, the Lenovo Legion Go S‘s interface is a complete mess, as I mentioned when I evaluated it.
For instance, although it isn’t enabled by default, Windows 11 features a “gamepad” keyboard layout that allows you to use the joysticks to traverse the on-screen keyboard. Before you can use the on-screen keyboard with the joysticks, you must first tap into the small settings menu and switch it on. This subterranean setting will be missed by many. Why does a portable gaming PC not have this turned on by default? This is just one of the many problems with Windows 11.
Microsoft is improving Windows for portable computers, which is fantastic, but Legion Go 2 customers will have to wait for the update. It will be available on the Legion Go 2 in “Spring 2026.” You’ll need to get Asus’s ROG Xbox Ally if you want it sooner. It will go on sale in mid-October, right after Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is released. Although I haven’t used the ROG Xbox Ally console yet, I anticipate that it will launch with a far better user experience than the Legion Go 2 due to its optimized Windows setup for portable computers. (A method to activate it on any portable device has already been leaked, although your experience may differ.)
Price is the second unresolved issue. The base model of the Legion Go 2, which we evaluated, starts at $1,099 and retails for $1,349 upon launch. Although the technology for handheld PC gaming was once unexpectedly inexpensive, this gadget is more expensive than many gaming laptops. It is a high-end gadget. Tariffs are most likely partially to blame for this. Deals are still available, though; for now, a base-model Steam Deck is available for $319.20 during the Steam Autumn Sale. To choose this over a Steam Deck, you would need to have a strong desire for more expensive hardware (without a well-designed operating system).
This handheld, however, combines the newest high-end handheld-optimized hardware with a gorgeous OLED display in a nice form factor, and I really enjoyed playing with it if you’re looking for a high-end handheld experience and don’t mind the extra expense — and if you know what you’re getting into with the quirks of the Windows operating system on a device like this one.
Specification
The AMD Ryzen Z2 processor and AMD Radeon 890M-class graphics power the Lenovo Legion Go 2. I evaluated the $1,349 model, which has 32GB of RAM and AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme technology. Remember that the base model will not perform as well because it has an AMD Ryzen Z2 chipset and 16GB of RAM.
This is RDNA 3.5, which is the same graphics found in Ryzen AI 300 series (Strix Point) laptops, but it is designed for a mobile device where power consumption is crucial.There is a lot to admire about this: The internal SSD can be upgraded by the user, but the RAM is soldered. Additionally, external GPUs can be used with this laptop thanks to its USB4 connections.
- Lenovo Legion Go 2 83N0000BUS is the model number.
- AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU
- 32 GB of LPDDR5x-8000 RAM
- GPU and graphics: AMD Radeon 890M
- NPU: Not present
- Display: 8.8-inch 1920×1200 OLED panel with touch screen and variable refresh rate of up to 144 Hz
- Storage: M.2 SSD, 1 TB
- No webcam
- Two USB Type-C (USB4) ports, one combination audio jack, and one microSD card reader are all connected.
- Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E
- Biometrics: Reader of fingerprints
- Capacity of battery: 74 watt-hours
- 11.64 x 5.38 x 1.66 inches in size
- 2.03 pounds in weight
- MSRP as tested: $1,349
Design and build quality
Lenovo refers to the black plastic used to make the Lenovo Legion Go 2 as “Eclipse Black.” The plastic is of excellent quality, and the design is well-considered and pleasant to handle. Lenovo has truly gone above and beyond in considering how to improve the hardware compared to many other consoles, such as the Legion Go S I reviewed and the Steam Deck I possess.
With a large 8.8-inch OLED screen, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 isn’t aiming to be the lightest console, so it’s not surprising that it weighs a bit more than average. That’s a significant difference at 2.02 pounds (as opposed to 1.41 pounds for a Steam Deck OLED). The weight deters me from holding it in some postures for long amounts of time, but it’s not too hefty to handle. However, the larger screen and better hardware make up for the additional weight.
Trackpad, controllers, and joysticks for the Lenovo Legion Go 2
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 boasts Hall Effect joysticks, which feel fantastic and provide a smooth experience without stick drift. The Lenovo Legion Go 2’s buttons have a wonderful feel. Additionally, Lenovo has included a few additional buttons for Alt+Tabbing between programs, the desktop, and Legion software functions. The power and volume buttons are located on the handheld’s top.
By detaching it, snapping it onto a base, and flipping a switch on the bottom, you can use the appropriate controller in “FPS Mode.” After that, you can hold it and manipulate it. Despite having a joystick-like appearance, it functions more like a virtual mouse. In my testing, I didn’t find it to be very ergonomic, but if you take the time to master it, you might find it to be quite useful.
Additionally, the right controller of this portable sports a sizable trackpad that is shaped and positioned just perfectly for thumb use. This trackpad feels great after the Lenovo Legion Go S‘s little one. However, it differs from the trackpads on a Steam Deck in that it lacks haptic feedback. Although it’s a practical way to do some mouse work, I wouldn’t want to use it always. This display is likewise a multi-touch touchscreen. Putting fingerprint smudges on the screen is encouraged, but it’s often essential for Windows navigation.
Display and speakers
One of the most notable aspects of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is its display. This portable computer has an 8.8-inch OLED screen. What’s not to enjoy? This screen is so close to my face that I’m not sure I’d even want a bigger one!
It’s stunning with HDR compatibility, a customizable refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, and a maximum brightness of 1,100 nits. Additionally, it doesn’t appear that the display significantly reduces battery life. Despite this more expensive display, the battery life was decreasing at a manageable pace that felt comparable to other gaming handhelds I’ve tried.
While this is a vivid OLED display, it has a glossy surface. It’s prone to reflections in bright environments like direct sunlight. If you’ll be using this as a handheld console outdoors in challenging lighting environments, that’s going to be a problem: You may want to look for a device with a more anti-reflective screen. But glossy screens look beautiful in the right lighting, and this one is no exception.
Another area in which Windows 11 is incomprehensible on this handheld is its support for HDR. By default, Windows turned off HDR on this device when it was disconnected “to save battery life.” That is just one instance of Windows’ inability to comprehend these devices. This set of speakers is excellent for gaming. The meaty noises of a shotgun in Doom: The Dark Ages were pleasing, and they had more than enough loudness. Naturally, a handheld console doesn’t have a lot of bass.
Microphone and biometrics
There are two different microphones on the Lenovo Legion Go 2. On a portable gaming device, the microphone sounds well and the audio is sufficiently clear for in-game communication. It sounds a touch muffled; it’s not like the crystal-clear audio picked up by a high-end business laptop microphone for Zoom meetings. However, it works well for voice chats when playing games.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 doesn’t have a webcam, but you probably wouldn’t want one, and it could be difficult to fit one inside the bezel.
The fingerprint reader that Lenovo installed in the power button is quite effective. The Legion Go 2 can immediately sign you into Windows using Windows Hello when you touch the power button to wake it up. All you need to do is put your finger on it for one more moment. It simplifies a significant issue with Windows 11 on a gaming handheld and makes waking the console quick.
Connectivity
Both of the USB Type-C ports on the Lenovo Legion Go 2 are USB4 ports. There are two on the handheld: one on the top and one on the bottom. It will charge via one of these ports because it comes with a USB-C charger. This handheld should also be compatible with external GPUs because these are fast USB4 ports.
In addition to the two USB-C ports, the handheld’s bottom has a microSD card slot and a combo audio jack. That’s all, and it has several ports for a portable gaming PC. You can attach a dock to the USB-C connector if you want more ports when using it at a desk.
Performance
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 performed admirably. Although I like shooting demons at a better frame rate, Doom: The Dark Ages was enjoyable in theory. I launched games like Sonic X, Shadow Generations, and experienced buttery-smooth performance, treating this like a console. In actuality, even while handhelds are getting much better, their graphics capabilities still fall well short of those of top-tier desktop or laptop GPUs. These might not be the best options if your primary goal is to play the newest, most demanding, high-end games. However, in older games, the hardware here provides incredibly fluid performance.
Even in taxing games like Doom: The Dark Ages, the fans’ silence was impressive. The console itself remained comfortable, with cool air drawn in on the device’s underside and blown out through the vents on top, and the speakers could easily drown them out. They were playing a light 2D game like Deltarune, and once I silenced the game, I could hardly hear them. We tested the Lenovo Legion Go 2 using our normal benchmarks to see how it performed, as we typically do when reviewing gaming PCs. The outcomes demonstrate its performance in comparison to both contemporary gaming laptops and technology from earlier generations (I used the Lenovo Legion Go S as a benchmark).
Spoiler alert: Compared to the last Lenovo portable I evaluated, this one is significantly better. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme hardware in the Legion Go 2 was frequently almost twice as fast as the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go hardware in the Legion Go S in a variety of applications. To get a sense of the overall performance of the system, we first run PCMark 10. Although CPU performance plays a significant role, this is intended to serve as a benchmark for overall system performance.
Overall performance was good, with a PCMark 10 score of 7,285. The lower-end AMD Ryzen Z2 Go hardware in the Lenovo Legion Go S is much inferior to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme hardware here. It performed similarly to gaming laptops with lower price tags.
Battery life
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and 74 Watt-hour battery power the Lenovo Legion Go 2, which can run at 15W to 35W TDP. How you use the handheld will have a big impact on how long the battery lasts. A game with fewer demands will consume significantly less electricity. By selecting your favorite thermal mode and pressing the button at the top of the right controller, you may also adjust power consumption. For instance, “performance” will increase hardware power for games but deplete the battery more quickly. Lower thermal settings can be quite OK, depending on the game you’re playing.
We play a 4K version of Tears of Steel on Windows 11 with airplane mode turned on until the computer suspends itself as part of our usual battery benchmark. For battery benchmarks, we adjusted the screen brightness to 250 nits. Since local video playback is so effective and real battery life in daily use will always be lower than this, this is the best-case situation for any PC. In this test, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 outlasted even the business laptop HP Elitebook X G1a, lasting 796 minutes, or more than 13 hours. When you’re not playing demanding games, this hardware can actually scale down and consume less electricity.
Conclusion
An expensive portable gaming PC is the Lenovo Legion Go 2. For a portable gaming PC, the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and its Radeon 890M-class graphics provided strong performance and efficiency; the hardware is well-designed, and the screen is large and attractive. For further versatility, you also get a kickstand and detachable controllers. Lenovo, however, has an uphill struggle because of the Windows portable experience and tariffs that are raising the cost of hardware.
You could presently get a $999 gaming laptop plus a $319 Steam Deck for $1,349, which would give you a more powerful laptop for your desk and a lighter handheld for gaming while on the road. However, if you’re willing to wait for better software or accept the realities of Windows 11 today, you’ll be satisfied with this, provided you’re willing to spend this much money on a portable gaming PC with higher-end, premium hardware (that 8.8-inch OLED is fantastic).
