The handheld gaming PC market is hotter than ever, and the battle for your backpack is fierce. In a sea of new devices, the first-generation Lenovo Legion Go made a splash with its unique detachable controllers and large screen. Now, the spotlight turns to its successor. Popular tech reviewer ETA Prime has just dropped a comprehensive deep-dive into the new Lenovo Legion Go 2, and the results are turning heads, especially for those watching their wallets.
Priced at $1,099.99, this Ryzen Z2-powered model is positioned as the entry point in Lenovo's refreshed lineup, but as the review reveals, "entry-level" doesn't mean compromising on serious gaming performance.
Taming the Heat: Masterful Performance and Thermal Control
One of the biggest hurdles for any handheld is balancing power with heat and battery life. The Legion Go 2 tackles this with a sophisticated set of performance profiles, giving players granular control over their experience.
- Quiet Mode (8W TDP): Perfect for less demanding titles, like 2D indie games or emulating classic consoles, all while keeping the device cool and whisper-quiet.
- Balanced Mode (16W TDP): The sweet spot for a mix of performance and battery life, handling many modern games with ease.
- Performance Mode (20W+ TDP): Unleashes the full power when you need it, pushing up to 20W on battery and even higher when plugged into the wall.
For the true tinkerers, a Custom Mode is where things get exciting. This allows for aggressive short-term boosts, letting the APU sprint at up to 45W for 10 seconds to load demanding areas, before settling into a still-impressive sustained 35W for long gaming sessions. All of this is managed through the revamped Legion Space menu, where users can also fine-tune fan curves for an ideal balance of cooling and noise.
Real-World Gaming: Surprisingly Smooth Frame Rates
Benchmarks are one thing, but how does it actually handle the games we love? ETA Prime put the Legion Go 2 through its paces with a suite of demanding titles, and the performance is impressive for a device at this price point.
- Forza Horizon 5: At 1200p resolution and medium settings, the handheld averaged a buttery 73 FPS, making for a flawless racing experience.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Even Night City is playable. By leveraging AMD's FSR Frame Generation at 1920x1200, the Legion Go 2 hit around 84 FPS, a remarkable feat for a handheld.
- Elden Ring: The Lands Between ran smoothly at 1600x1000 on medium settings, with frame rates holding steady between 57-59 FPS.
- Borderlands 4: As a next-gen title, this was the most demanding test. At 800p with low settings and FSR, it was playable but did show some of the limitations, with occasional ghosting artifacts from the upscaling technology.
Underpinning this performance is the 8.8-inch OLED display, which ETA Prime praises for its vibrant colors and super-smooth 144Hz refresh rate. The ability to instantly toggle between 60Hz and 144Hz from the quick menu is a fantastic feature for balancing visual fluidity with battery savings.
You can check the current price and availability of the Legion Go 2 directly at Best Buy.
The Verdict: A Premium "Entry-Level" Contender
So, who is the Legion Go 2 for? According to the analysis, this Ryzen Z2 model does trail its more expensive Z2 Extreme sibling slightly at the very lowest power levels, but it retains strong efficiency and delivers perfectly playable frame rates for most AAA titles.
The combination of a gorgeous 144Hz OLED screen, versatile detachable controllers, and a premium build quality makes it feel anything but basic. For gamers looking to dive into the high-end handheld PC space without breaking the bank, the Legion Go 2 presents a compelling argument.
However, the competition is stiff. For those willing to spend a bit more, alternatives like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, currently listed on Amazon for $1,184.85, offer more RAM and a more powerful APU. Yet, with its attractive price point and proven performance, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 has firmly planted its flag as a device that demands your attention.
For the full, in-depth review with all the benchmark charts and live gameplay footage, be sure to watch ETA Prime's complete video on YouTube.
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