Valve didn’t invent handheld gaming PCs, but it proved that they’re more than just a novel concept. A year after releasing the Steam Deck, several other companies have released their own respective takes on this budding market, the latest of which is apparently Lenovo.
According to Windows Central, Lenovo is working on a Windows 11-powered handheld PC named the Lenovo Legion Go. While this information is strictly speculative at the moment, if it’s accurate, it could signal a significant development in the handheld PC gaming market.
Given Lenovo’s experience in making high-quality gaming hardware, it could end up giving the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally a good run for their money.
Lenovo, a tech giant known for its innovative gaming devices, is expected to equip the Legion Go with an 8-inch display, setting it apart from the 7-inch displays of its best-selling contemporaries. A larger screen might provide an edge over its competitors, offering a more immersive gaming experience while maintaining the device’s portability.
Packing AMD’s Phoenix 7040-series APUs, the Legion Go is designed for top-tier performance in a portable package. The Phoenix chips, which are designed to be “ultra-thin,” are primarily geared toward high-performing, sleek ultrabook-style devices.
Leveraging these chips, Lenovo could potentially deliver a powerful handheld gaming experience without compromising on design and elegance. The device is expected to support 15W low-power states for lightweight games, optimizing battery life and ensuring prolonged gaming sessions.
These specifications suggest that the Lenovo Legion Go is a gaming-first device. The Legion name, a hallmark of Lenovo’s gaming-focused product line, reinforces this inference. Just don’t forget the challenges of previous attempts to integrate Windows 11 into handheld devices. Despite its capabilities, the ROG Ally grappled with adapting the Microsoft OS into a handheld form, a hurdle the Legion Go must surmount to succeed.
A peek into Lenovo’s past reveals an intriguing twist to this narrative. Previously, a leak from Liliputing unveiled the Lenovo Legion Play, an Android-based handheld designed to leverage cloud gaming services. However, Lenovo appears to have shelved those plans in favor of a full-fledged PC gaming handheld, perhaps spurred by the tepid response to cloud gaming devices in the market.
The handheld gaming industry has witnessed a resurgence in recent years, largely owing to the success of the Nintendo Switch. Several tech companies, from Chinese brand AyaNeo to Dell’s Alienware Concept UFO, are vying for a slice of this burgeoning market.
With Legion Go, Lenovo may hope to seize the opportunity and establish dominance over its competitors.
Interestingly, Microsoft is also reported to be working on enhancing the Windows experience for handhelds, which may be a game-changer for the Lenovo Legion Go. Coupled with potential support from Microsoft, the Legion Go could prove a formidable contender in the handheld PC gaming sphere.
The Lenovo Legion Go represents a significant development for PC gaming enthusiasts. If successful, it could revolutionize the handheld gaming scene, offering a robust alternative to existing handheld gaming devices. With an 8-inch screen, AMD Phoenix processor, and potential Windows 11 integration, the Legion Go could present a tantalizing prospect for gaming on the go.
While the reports are promising, it’s essential to remember that the device’s release is still under speculation. Lenovo has been known to shelve plans in the past, as evidenced by the unrealized Legion Play. Thus, it remains to be seen whether the Legion Go will see the light of day.
Nonetheless, the prospect of a new Windows-11 handheld with access to the entire PC games library is exciting if only for the sake of more if not better competition.
If realized, this venture could significantly invigorate the competition in the handheld PC gaming market, leading to more innovative products and competitive pricing.
Ultimately, only time will tell if Lenovo’s Legion Go can outpace its rivals and redefine the handheld PC gaming experience.
