Lenovo has officially revealed its latest portable gaming system, the Legion Go 2, at CES, which now integrates Valve's SteamOS, enhancing its appeal for on-the-go gamers. While Valve's Steam Deck gained popularity due to its affordability, the core of its success lies in the intuitive and robust SteamOS operating system. The Legion Go 2 joins a select group of handheld devices to feature this Linux-based software, offering a new competitive option in the burgeoning portable PC gaming market.
Building upon the foundation of its predecessor, the Legion Go S, which was already highly regarded in the portable gaming PC category, the Legion Go 2 brings significant hardware improvements. The new model is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, a considerable upgrade from the Z1 Extreme found in earlier versions. Both are powerful APUs, combining CPU and GPU capabilities on a single chip, but the Z2 Extreme utilizes AMD's advanced Zen 5 and 5c architectures, providing superior processing power. Furthermore, the Z2 Extreme's GPU boasts 16 RDNA 3.5 compute units, a 33% increase in rendering performance over the Z1 Extreme's 12 RDNA 3 CUs. This enhanced graphical capability is perfectly suited for the Legion Go 2's impressive 8.8-inch, 144 Hz, 1200p display, though FSR upscaling will still be beneficial for graphically demanding titles. The device also features 32 GB of LPDDR5x-8000 RAM and up to 2 TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage, and maintains the innovative detachable side controllers, allowing for flexible playstyles, including console-like desktop setups and even FPS game control with the right controller in a base.
The combination of the Legion Go 2's powerful specifications and the streamlined SteamOS creates a compelling package for portable PC gaming enthusiasts. Although pricing remains a consideration, with current models equipped with the standard Ryzen Z2 processor and 16 GB of LPDDR5x costing around $1,100, the Z2 Extreme versions are anticipated to offer an even more premium experience. As the market for handheld gaming PCs continues to expand, the Legion Go 2 represents a significant step forward in performance and user experience, enabling gamers to enjoy their favorite titles with unparalleled convenience and power, free from the constraints of traditional desktop setups. It exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can be harnessed to deliver joyous and boundary-pushing entertainment experiences, fostering a sense of freedom and excitement for players everywhere.
