The Battle for Portable Gaming Supremacy: Steam Deck vs Lenovo Legion Go
As a gamer on-the-go, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of portable gaming. The idea of being able to play my favorite games anywhere, anytime, without being tethered to a console or PC, is incredibly appealing. With the release of Valve’s Steam Deck, the portable gaming market has been turned on its head. But can the Steam Deck hold its own against the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go, a PC handheld that’s been making waves with its impressive specs and features?
The battle for portable gaming supremacy has begun
Price: The Steam Deck Takes the Lead
When it comes to pricing, the Steam Deck is the clear winner. With a starting price of $399 for the 64GB model, it’s a much more affordable option than the Lenovo Legion Go, which retails at $699.99. Even the OLED models of the Steam Deck are cheaper than the most expensive Legion Go model, making it a more accessible option for gamers on a budget.
Design and Features: A Tale of Two Handhelds
The Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go have similar designs, with dual analog sticks, a black-heavy chassis, and a large screen. However, the Steam Deck is lighter and smaller, with a 7-inch screen, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. The OLED version of the Steam Deck takes it to the next level, with an even more impressive display.
The Lenovo Legion Go, on the other hand, has a larger 8.8-inch QHD+ screen and removable joy-cons that can be mounted on a base for FPS mode. It also has a built-in kickstand for balancing on a flat surface. While it may be heavier and larger, the Legion Go has more features built-in, making it more flexible for different gaming styles and genres.
Performance: The Lenovo Legion Go Takes the Crown
In terms of performance, the Lenovo Legion Go is objectively stronger. With superior specs and a higher resolution, it’s capable of ray tracing and matches the Steam Deck in terms of framerate. Games look stunning on the Legion Go, thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate and QHD+ screen.
I tested two titles on both portables, Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5, to see how each fared. The Legion Go had ray tracing enabled on Medium settings and was able to match the Steam Deck with above 50fps. When I enabled ray tracing on the Legion Go, the framerate dipped to 15fps, but it was still able to run.
Verdict: The Best PC Gaming Handheld for You
So, which is the better PC gaming handheld? It depends on what you want from one. The Steam Deck is still king for its balance of portability, price, and performance. It’s well-rounded, allowing you to play the best PC games with an intuitive UI and decent battery power for its specs.
The Lenovo Legion Go, on the other hand, is heavier and larger, but with better specs and display. Games look and run smoother, and it has more features that make it more flexible for different gaming styles and genres. However, the pricing is a big downside, and it has a slower UI thanks to Windows 11.
Ultimately, the choice between the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go comes down to your personal preferences and gaming needs. If you’re looking for a more affordable, portable option with a great balance of performance and features, the Steam Deck is the way to go. But if you’re willing to shell out a bit more cash for a more powerful, feature-rich handheld, the Lenovo Legion Go is the better choice.
The battle for portable gaming supremacy rages on
