Valve Steam Deck
Having a portable console that mainly serves a purpose at home might seem strange, but theValve Steam Deckshowed that this is how many people choose to play video games.
Lenovo Legion Go
Lenovo Legion GO takes a page out of the Nintendo Switch’s playbook with its ability to separate the left and right controllers from the 8.8" 2500x1600 screen. The PC gaming handheld boasts one of the most powerful specs seen in a handheld device, but that comes at the price of battery life. Ultimately, any Windows-based handheld has its advantages and risks. However, Lenovo has done well to give its device enough reasons to intrigue handheld-leaning gamers.
Handheld gaming PCshave come a long way since Valve’s Steam Deck made its way onto the scene in 2022. The likes of Asus and Lenovo have followed suit by launching the Rog Ally and Legion Go as direct competitors. Anyone looking to upgrade from a less powerfulportable gaming consolelike the Nintendo Switch will have a great time with either the Steam Deck or Legion Go. The thrill of running PC games on the go is simply amazing. Besides, both devices have a dock mode, a feature that allows you to enjoy your favorite games on a largegaming TV.
Seeing as both Steam Deck and Legion Go offer impressive specs, deciding the better one to buy can be quite tricky. For shoppers looking for guidance on making an informed decision, we have gone ahead to compare the offerings of both devices to provide an unbiased opinion on what to expect from both handheld PCs.
The Steam Deck and Legion Go are two of the most powerful portable gaming PCs available today. Below are the key factors that will help you differentiate the two devices so you can purchase the one that best matches your needs.
Pricing
When shopping for a new gadget, especially one that lets you play various kinds of games on the go, it’s worth considering the cost. Regarding the price of both handheld gaming PCs, Valve’s Steam Deck is far more affordable than the Lenovo Legion Go. While the Legion Go only comes in two variants (512GB and 1TB), the Steam Deck is available in three different configurations: 256B SSD LCD ($399), 512GB SSD ($549), and 1TB OLED ($649). Upon launch, Valve offered 64GB LCD models and 512GB LCD models, but the company has phased them from production. So, not only does the Steam Deck cost less than the Legion Go, but shoppers have a wide variety of options to choose from. Plus, Steam Deck’s premium variant, the OLED, still costs less than the Legion Go, a fact that budget-conscious buyers won’t take for granted.
Design
The Steam Deck and Legion Go share one common characteristic: they look like the Nintendo Switch if only the family-friendly handheld console was on steroids. Both are quite hefty and feature significantly larger displays than the Switch. As expected, both handheld PCs are fitted with the usual controller mechanisms, two analog sticks, a D-Pad, four face buttons, four buttons on the shoulder, and multiple back buttons that you can configure if needed. Interestingly, both the Steam Deck and Legion Go have trackpads, though the former comes with two on either side while the latter has just one. You’ll find huge vents on the top of both products, a mechanism that prevents overheating.
Although they share identical designs, the Legion Go offers users one feature that the Steam Deck does not. Similar to the Switch, you can detach the controllers on the Legion Go, allowing you to use the gadget in tabletop mode, which comes in handy for FPS games likeCounter-Strike 2,Ready or Not, andBodycam. In terms of size, the Steam Deck may be heavy to hold but is lighter compared to the Legion Go. This makes it better to hold for longer periods. The Legion Go offers a wider field of view thanks to its larger screen (2560x1600) which overwhelms the Steam Deck’s 1280x800 resolution. Regarding design, both devices are pretty amazing and have their respective strengths. The Steam Deck excels in the weight category, while the Legion Go – with its detachable controllers and built-in kickstand – is feature-rich.
Performance
Under the Steam Deck’s hood, there’s an AMD APU chip that outmatches the Switch’s Nvidia Tegra but fails to outperform the Legion Go’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. Interestingly, both the Legion Go and Asus Rog Ally use the same processor, making them two of the most powerful handheld gaming PCs on the market today. When made to run demanding titles likeControlandBaldur’s Gate 3, the Legion Go is an absolute beast. Games look more realistic on its 144Hz screen compared to the Steam Deck’s 60/90Hz screen.
It’s worth noting that the Steam Deck OLED offers a nice boost in performance with better battery life and a higher refresh rate (90Hz). However, running recent AAA releases may prove to be a serious challenge for the Steam Deck, seeing as it’s using a dated processor. While new AAA releases will run on the Steam Deck, the experience may not be as fluid as on Legion Go. In terms of battery life, both gadgets offer similar battery life ranges, though the Legion Go’s 49.2Whr battery is better than the Steam Deck’s 49.2Whr battery. Don’t expect Switch-like battery life from both devices as they tend to drain quickly when running demanding games.
Operating System
The Steam Deck runs on SteamOS, a custom version of Linux. Since it’s designed specifically for Valve’s gaming PC, it’s no surprise that the experience is seamless and user-friendly. Even beginner users should have no trouble with navigating the Steam store on the Deck. If you have an extensive game library on Steam and want to keep experiencing the fluid UI, then the Steam Deck is a fabulous choice. However, things can get difficult when you want to play a game using alternative platforms such as Xbox Game Pass or Epic Games Store. You’d need to do some tinkering which translates to getting Windows installed on the Deck. Sure, the experience will be less desirable, but you’ll get to play games on multiple platforms and use different storefronts.
The Legion Go comes with Windows 11 upon purchase, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want a wide variety of stores to visit at will. The Legion Go is a better way to experience Windows in handheld mode, seeing as it comes with the OS out of the box. So, if you’re comfortable with the Steam ecosystem, then the Steam Deck is a good choice. If you like to access games from different stores like Steam and Epic, you may want to get the Legion Go as it offers more options without tinkering.
The Verdict
Choosing to buy either the Steam Deck or Legion Go hinges on preferences. On paper, both are pretty impressive, though the Legion Go is feature-rich and boasts better performance. Its detachable controllers, bigger screen, and higher refresh rate make PC gaming more enjoyable than on the Steam Deck. However, it’s slightly more expensive and may not appeal to budget-conscious users looking to experience handheld PC gaming.
Of course, the Steam Deck is your go-to device if you have a modest budget and want a lighter device to hold. It’s also a great choice for users who are familiar with the Steam ecosystem and don’t mind the occasional tinkering that comes with trying to access Game Pass and the Epic Games Store. In all, the Legion Go offers a better PC gaming experience, seeing as it is bundled with Windows. As such, installing different storefronts is easier than on the Steam Deck. Like other handheld PCs, the battery life isn’t impressive, so getting aportable gaming power bankis strongly recommended if you want to get the most out of your device.
FAQ
Q: Which is more powerful between the Steam Deck or PS5?
Although the Steam Deck can run many PS5 games, Sony’s console is more powerful as its estimated performance of 10.8 teraflops outmatches the Steam Deck’s 1.6 teraflops.
Q: Does the Legion Go have an OLED variant?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. If you want a handheld with OLED to game on, you may want to check out the Steam Deck OLED variant or the Switch OLED variant.
Q: How long does the Legion Go’s battery last?
The battery life is nothing special, so anything between two to four hours is the average. Expect the battery to drain quicker when handling a demanding game.
