For many people, gaming is not nearly pushing pixels on a display. Gaming has been a big a part of my life since childhood, serving as each a supply of leisure and a possibility to navigate challenges in a unique context. And once I can’t make it to the boxing fitness center to shake off the day’s stress, gaming provides a therapeutic aid the place I can immerse myself, quickly forsaking the pressures of life to come back again with a clearer thoughts. 

As a New York Metropolis-based actor, filmmaker, and theater artist who doesn’t work a gentle 9-5 job, I’m always on the go, bouncing from auditions to gigs to screenings. Fortunate for me, my line of labor typically takes me to totally different corners of the map.

This weekend, I introduced the Legion Go together with me on an impromptu journey to LA. I’ve clocked loads of hours enjoying on totally different consoles and was excited to dip my toes into the PC gaming world — with out dropping dough on all of the gear wanted for a desktop setup. 

Left:
Credit score: Josh Steinbauer

Proper:
Credit score: Josh Steinbauer

Way of life match

Heading to the airport for my flight, I packed the Legion Go and immediately appreciated its portability. Its compact dimension made it a breeze to toss into my go bag, giving me the best flexibility I crave. And as an actor, it’s an ideal match. 

Not like many different handheld gaming consoles, the Legion Go runs on Microsoft Home windows 11; it has two detachable controllers and a hefty crystal clear 8.8-inch display. Which means that moreover all of the spectacular gaming capabilities, I may also browse the web, stream my favourite reveals, and even do work on Microsoft Workplace Suite. It features as a pill whenever you need it to, full with a mouse and scroll wheel when you detach the suitable controller and use the trackpad.

Credit score: Josh Steinbauer

Design

The Legion Go runs on a 2560×1600 display decision and may attain a refresh price of as much as 144Hz, making it outshine its rivals. It has a sturdy kickstand on the again, a touchpad on the suitable controller, and two USB-C ports, one on the highest and one on the underside, so you’ll be able to cost irrespective of when you’re hanging out on the sofa or sitting at a desk and have your display propped on the kickstand. 

It weighs somewhat beneath two kilos, which you begin to really feel in your wrists when you play for hours on finish like I typically are likely to do with Cyberpunk 2077. However the graphics are mesmerizing and clean as butter — that means I typically misplaced observe of time. When my wrists wanted a break, I positioned the display on the kickstand, indifferent the controllers, and gamed on. 

Credit score: Josh Steinbauer

What stood out to me

The sturdy dimension of the display is undoubtedly the most important win. One of many video games I appeared ahead to making an attempt out was Overwatch, which I’ve performed on a number of different consoles. Most not too long ago, I needed to alter my mains due to the irritating tech limitations of enjoying on a smaller handheld system. However the Legion Go’s display is greater than sufficient for me to return to a few of the snipers I used to play, and the Corridor Impact controllers meant that stick drift was a factor of the previous. 

I additionally performed Cyberpunk 2077, a notoriously robust recreation for processors. After toying with the plethora of settings out there, I used to be in a position to stability the suitable efficiency mode, decision, and refresh price in order that it performed like a dream. Plus, I may simply learn even the smallest textual content in gameplay. 

Credit score: Josh Steinbauer

Credit score: Josh Steinbauer

Giftability

This will surely be a Grade A gift for the gamer in your life. In the event that they’re a extra superior gamer with PC expertise, the tech specs and portability of the Legion Go are fairly standout. Then again, this console is accessible sufficient that with somewhat little bit of fiddling, testing, and a basic scrub by means of Reddit boards, the Legion Go remains to be a viable entry level for these new to PC gaming who need to give it a shot.

Give it a go

I had a good time enjoying with Lenovo’s newest handheld system, each at dwelling and on the go, and it’s a fairly slick-feeling system total. Graphically dense video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Genshin Affect look jaw-droppingly fluid with the ultra-fast refresh price at excessive efficiency. And the truth that it runs on Home windows 11 signifies that I’ve a pill at my fingertips anytime I need to do work or hop on-line.

Credit score: Josh Steinbauer