This Black Friday brings some enticing options for gamers, particularly if you’re eyeing a handheld powered by the robust AMD Z1 Extreme chip. Among the standout deals, Lenovo’s Legion Go is slashing prices with a hefty $227 discount, bringing it down to just $472.97. This price tag makes it not just cheaper than the new Steam Deck OLED but also significantly more affordable than the Asus ROG Ally X, even during this sale period. While the Asus ROG Ally X offers slightly better performance, Lenovo’s Legion Go offers distinctive features with its larger 8.8-inch display and detachable controllers, reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch.
In terms of gaming PC handhelds, the Legion Go stands out, especially at its new price. Handhelds like those using the Z1 Extreme/Ryzen 7840U/Ryzen 8840U do need a strong power source, whether a plug or a capable battery bank, to outperform the Deck and its OLED sibling. Nonetheless, the ability to hit those performance levels is appealing, mainly if your gaming extends to your home environment.
Highlighting its value at this price is straightforward, but it’s important to mention a couple of potential drawbacks to keep a balanced view.
Firstly, for those without a desktop setup planning to use an external GPU dock, the Ally Extreme or Ally X might be better choices, considering their enhanced eGPU compatibility. The Legion Go offers dual USB4 support, which is impressive but doesn’t quite match up to the OCuLink standard or Asus’ exclusive eGPU connection, which could limit the performance of high-end GPUs.
Secondly, the Legion Go opts for an IPS display instead of OLED. While OLED screens offer better contrast, IPS displays don’t lag too far behind, especially at 8.8 inches compared to the Steam Deck OLED’s 7.4 inches. Moreover, the Legion Go provides a higher resolution and refresh rate (1080p 144Hz vs. 800p 90Hz), which can be a significant advantage for gamers who prioritize expansive screen size and immersive visuals.
As Black Friday unfolds, we’re dedicated to curating the best deals for you. If you’re on the hunt for more than just handhelds, be sure to visit our Black Friday Computer Hardware Deals Live blog, or explore focused deals in areas like SSDs and Storage, Monitors, Graphics Cards, and CPUs.
