Latest news with #LegionGo2
Tom's Guide
03-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X vs Lenovo Legion Go 2 vs MSI Claw A8: Which next-gen gaming handheld should you buy?
When it comes to the best handheld gaming consoles for 2025, you're going to choose between three: the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and the MSI Claw A8. All three run AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset (Asus getting the AI-injected version), a bucket full of RAM, a giant battery and gaming ergonomics at their core. Out of all the handhelds announced this year (there's a lot of them), these are the three atop the next-gen mountain, and that begs a question — which one should you buy? There are key differences that make this a very closely-fought bout between the three. The Legion Go 2 aces the others in the display department with an OLED screen, whereas the MSI Claw packs a bigger battery, and thanks to the power pairing between Asus and Microsoft, the ROG Xbox Ally X could beat both in terms of performance. So let's try to get an understanding of these three, look at all the specs and leaks, take our hands-on time into context and help you pick the right one for you. Spec ROG Xbox Ally X Lenovo Legion Go 2 MSI Claw A8 Processor AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme GPU AMD Radeon 890M AMD Radeon 890M AMD Radeon 890M RAM 24GB LPDDR5X 32GB LPDDR5X 24GB LPDDR5X Display 7-inch LCD, 1080p, 120Hz 8.8-inch OLED, 1080p, 144Hz 8-inch LCD, 1080p, 120Hz Storage 1TB PCIe SSD 1TB PCIe SSD 1TB PCIe SSD Battery 80Wh 74Wh 80Wh Dimensions 11.45 × 4.78 × 2.00 inches 11.64 x 5.38 x 1.66 inches 11.79 x 4.97 x 0.94 inches Weight 1.6 pounds 2.1 pounds 1.7 pounds Out of all the categories, this is probably going to be the one that's most divisive, because each company has a different approach to design and display. Let's start with the ROG Xbox Ally X. It focuses on portability and ergonomics. It's the smallest of the bunch, and that's reflected in a 7-inch LCD panel. But it's also the thickest on account of improved ergonomics, with side grips that do have that cylindrical shape of a traditional game pad. We've yet to go fully hands-on with this system ourselves (trust me, it's coming soon), but we like the design, even if it's the smallest of the bunch. If you want the best screen, that's where the Legion Go 2 comes in — alongside that choice to make the controllers detachable, which is going to be great for local multiplayer or just setting down that gorgeous 8.8-inch OLED display. However, with a bigger screen and more mechanical parts to detach the controllers, it's slightly bigger and a lot heavier, at over 2 pounds. Finally, there's the middle ground in the MSI Claw A8. Ergonomically, its more sound than the previous Claw with blockier controller grips to get your hands around. It's only 1.6 ounces heavier than the Xbox handheld and in return, you get an 8-inch display (LCD though, not OLED). So really, this is a bit of a three-way tie and comes down to what you're looking for. If you want the best display and don't mind the heft, the Legion Go 2 is your go-to. Want the most portable? ROG Xbox Ally X is the one to choose, and the MSI Claw sits nicely in between for those looking for balance. Just because both these handhelds sport identical internals doesn't mean there isn't a clear winner in the performance department. All of them run a version of AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which in turn shares a lot in common with the Z1 Extreme before it (8 cores/16 threads). In testing the MSI Claw A8, I was able to get some impressive frame rates of 60+ FPS across some key AAA titles like Spider-Man 2. Of course, this was just a quick test and not a full lab benchmarking. But the superpower comes in moving up to a Zen 5 architecture that unlocks RDNA 3.5. This is what that upgrade does to the performance from leaked testing. Of course, this is ignoring the elephant in the room — AI. The ROG Xbox Ally X packs a Ryzen AI X2 Extreme, which is essentially the same chip but with an NPU bolted on. What this does for game performance, I'm not sure. But developers could accommodate this for smoother machine-learned frame generation or fidelity in the future. As for battery, this is one area where MSI and Microsoft might have a bigger edge. The Claw A8 and ROG Xbox Ally both sport an 80Wh cell, while the Legion Go 2 has a 74Wh battery. That's a small difference, but given the bigger power draw of a bigger screen, that could mean a drop in stamina. But there is one key advantage that the ROG Xbox Ally X will have over these other two — the software. Not just in the UI of opening directly into the Xbox experience rather than to Windows 11, but also in efficiency too. On this Xbox handheld, Microsoft will stop all the background processes of Windows running, which have often been the key reason behind bad battery life on handhelds when compared to those rocking SteamOS. How much of an impact this has, we're not sure, but at the very least, I'm seeing performance improvements in other hands-on tests from my friends. So it's definitely reason to be a little optimistic! And so far, that's where we stand with these — look out for comprehensive hands-on reviews on these three soon enough! But whichever way you go, you're sure to get a powerhouse of a handheld. Early vibes are pointing me towards the ROG Xbox Ally X in terms of the tailor-made software that should improve efficiency and performance over the other two. That being said, Microsoft has confirmed that this gaming handheld-centric version of Windows 11 is coming to other handhelds soon, as has been leaked in a recent beta build. That means those who seek the best display will get the benefits of this in the Legion Go 2, or if you want a slightly bigger screen, the MSI Claw A8 would be a strong contender too. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
31-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
New video shows the Legion Go 2 outperforming the MSI Claw A8 in benchmark test
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 was unveiled during CES 2025, but we're still waiting for an official release date. We don't have that yet, but a new video featuring a prototype version of the gaming handheld has surfaced. If this video is accurate, then Lenovo's upcoming machine should deliver impressive gaming performance. A recent video from the YouTube channel Lines Tech (via Notebook Check) shows the Legion Go 2 running Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which is also one of the games we benchmark in our PC gaming tests. The Legion Go 2 in question packs an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip and has an OLED panel. In the video, Shadow of the Tomb Raider averages 49 frames per second at 1080p resolution, with 7,710 frames rendered. Notebook Check believes that Lines Tech enabled DirectX 12 and had frame generation disabled. The site also thinks the benchmarks were achieved on medium graphics settings. We also see an MSI Claw A8 in the video, a handheld device that also features an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, although it lacks an OLED panel. MSI's gaming handheld averaged 44 fps with 6,751 frames generated in the same graphics settings for Shadow of the Tomb Raider. As Notebook Check notes, the Legion Go 2 achieves 10% higher frame rates than the MSI Claw A8, at least based on this video. Lenovo says the Legion Go 2 has a super cooling solution. The machine will also have 32GB of RAM vs the Claw A8's 24GB. These factors are likely what account for the Legion Go 2's better performance. That said, we would need to conduct our own benchmark tests to see which machine has better overall performance. I'm also curious to see how games perform on these handhelds when frame generation is enabled. Based on what we've seen so far, it appears that gaming handhelds featuring an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip should deliver big performance gains over the current crop of Ryzen Z1 Extreme machines. But as I said, we'll know for sure once we've brought such handhelds into our lab. Stay tuned for more! Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Gizmodo
22-07-2025
- Gizmodo
Leaked Lenovo Legion Go 2 Will Make You Mad at Xbox and Nintendo
If you're on the fence about whether to snatch up a $450 Nintendo Switch 2, or if you're still hemming and hawing about that upcoming Xbox handheld made by Asus, there's one more device that looks set to make your wallet scream bloody murder. We haven't seen hide nor hair of Lenovo's Legion Go 2 for about six months now, but leaks suggest it could be the sequel handheld you were actually looking for, thanks to a major screen upgrade that neither Nintendo nor Xbox is offering for its current-gen handhelds. The story goes back to several posts on Reddit, where some users claimed there were a slew of leaked Legion Go 2 models available through China-centric prototype and aftermarket reseller Xianyu. While Gizmodo could not confirm there were Legion Go 2 units changing hands, Videocardz claims to have seen models up for sale on these Chinese sites. Either way, some users have already pushed out videos allegedly showing the ins and outs of Lenovo's upcoming sequel handheld. One, posted by YouTuber in yo, shows off a prototype with its 8.8-inch OLED display. It's still running regular old Windows, just like the original Legion Go S released earlier this year. Lenovo later unleashed its same handheld with SteamOS, which offered a major boost in performance. The prototype shown in that video is reminiscent of early prototypes we saw last year. Despite this being an early model, the 1200p OLED display at 144Hz and VRR—AKA variable refresh rate—is still the real star of the show. We don't mind the Switch 2's 7.9-inch display despite ghosting issues that leave some games—especially fast-paced sidescrollers—looking blurry. Nor did we have many complaints about the Asus ROG Ally X's smaller screen, save for its relatively low brightness. Let's face it, OLED still wins every day. The Steam Deck OLED has a 720p display, and yet we still prefer it to most handhelds we've used that are still beholden to IPS LCD. Lenovo is likely waiting for Microsoft to release its version of Windows built specifically for handhelds. It essentially uses the Xbox app as the front-end user interface for accessing all your games on Xbox as well as third-party launchers like Steam and Epic Games Store. Like SteamOS, it will also dual-boot with a regular version of Windows for users to access all their regular apps. Microsoft hasn't offered a release date for that Windows version, but it could arrive later this year and would have backward support for all previous Windows-based handhelds. I first went hands-on with the Legion Go 2 at CES back in January. The device was still just a prototype, but AMD had the machine running with its upcoming Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, which is supposed to be the next big thing for handheld performance. I didn't have any time to test its overall performance or to get a feel for its improved ergonomics with its detachable controllers. The videos of leaked Legion Go 2 models show off how you can still detach each side of the device to go controllers akimbo. The right-side control stick can still act as a mouse cursor for playing FPS or RTS games, though we'd have to test whether it's as smooth and accurate as Nintendo's Switch 2 mouse controls proved to be. The YouTuber did include an internal specs sheet for the device. This version of the Legion Go 2 apparently didn't house a Z2 Extreme chipset but a regular Z2. The higher-end AMD APU—or accelerated processing unit with graphics capabilities—isn't using AMD's latest chip microarchitecture, Zen 5. It's still a Zen 4 chip, which will likely be closest in performance to the previous gen's Ryzen Z1 Extreme. This indicates there will likely be a lower-cost version of the Legion Go 2 to accompany a pricier model. This version also included 32GB of LPPDR5 7,500MHz RAM, which would put it in the higher echelons of gaming handhelds where memory is concerned. Lenovo hasn't given any indication on how much the Legion Go 2 would cost. Let's put any dewy-eyed hope to rest—it's not going to be cheap. The ROG Xbox Ally was already tipped to cost a pretty penny. If the Xbox Ally X with Z2 Extreme demands $1,000 or more, it almost guarantees the Legion Go 2 will be nearly as pricey with its larger and better-looking display. Look what happened to the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which went from $900 to $1,000, likely due to Trump tariffs. Getting the best display on the most powerful handheld will inevitably demand more from your wallet.
Tom's Guide
22-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Lenovo Legion Go 2 revealed in leaked prototype video featuring an OLED display
We've been waiting a while for the sequel to Lenovo's Legion Go handheld gaming PC, and a new video may have just given us our first look at the second generation console. The Legion Go 2 is one of our most anticipated gaming handheld releases this year, and leaks about the new console have been sprouting up since at least April of 2024. Originally, we spotted the latest leaked images of a purported Lenovo Legion Go 2 in the Legion Go subreddit which showed the screen, kickstand, and even a look at the inside of the console. A Redditor commented that the images were from their video on YouTube, which does appear to match the photos from Reddit. The video claims the device is a prototype, and may even be out of date. It's a bit of a sketchy leak as this is only the second video ever posted to that channel and the Reddit account, while two years old, has only ever commented on this post. They allege that they were able to get one of the devices "due to bankruptcy of the contract manufacturer" which apparently lead to a number of prototypes ending up in e-waste recycling. I don't speak Chinese, so some of what we're going off here is comments made under the video and what the claimed owner of the video said on Reddit. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. According to them, the machine in question features an 8.8-inch OLED display reportedly made by Samsung Display. This would be an improvement over its predecessor which features an IPS LCD screen. The prototype also features a Z2 processor and a 780M graphics card, which is most likely out of date as the Go 2 is expected to feature a more powerful AMD 890M card. In the video, they do show off the device in action playing a game and some of the system settings. It looks like it has 1TB of SSD storage and 32GB of RAM, double that of the original Legion Go. It appears like the battery will be better as well. The current Go console has a 49.2Whr battery which barely lasted two hours in our testing. The new battery is clocked at 74Whr, so maybe we'll get up to three hours with the Go 2, but hopefully Lenovo has worked on some power efficiency and optimization as well. All in all, it does look like an improvement internally. We are curious if Lenovo is working with Microsoft to make an Xbox-version ala the Asus ROG Xbox Ally or with Valve on a SteamOS version like the Legion Go S, which we considered excellent. Allegedly, the Legion Go 2 will launch in September and the leaker said it would cost $1,000. Lenovo has been fairly tight-lipped about the Go 2, so we don't have much more to go on, but we do expect the handheld to release later this year. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
21-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
4K at 240Hz is 'no longer a future concept' — Lenovo exec says the future of gaming monitors is already shifting
With new GPUs, gaming monitors always take an evolutionary step forward — that much was obvious with the launch of Nvidia's RTX 50-series cards and the adoption of 4K 240Hz panels. But what if I told you that gaming panels are evolving even further beyond this? I spoke to George Toh, Vice President and GM of the Visuals Business at Lenovo, and while some of these future trends are clear to see (OLED gaming monitors, for example), some surprised me. A simple one being that gamers are done tweaking settings, and that displays should adapt to them with AI. Now, as a D1 settings tweaker myself, I felt a little personally attacked (sarcasm), but in all seriousness, this makes a world of sense — having a monitor that learns to adapt to you, and not just be the screen you have to work around to get just right. And then there's the question of catering to more ways that people play. Gaming handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go S have exploded in popularity, and as gaming laptops go from strength to strength, the need for versatile portable gaming panels is going to grow stronger looking ahead. So, what does the future of gaming monitors look like? Well, this is what Lenovo thinks. Gamers today demand more than just speed or colors or brightness—they want immersion, precision and a visual experience that keeps pace with the speed of today's titles. As we look at the next generation of gaming monitors, both OLED and Mini LED will play critical roles in the evolution of gaming monitors. OLED continues to impress with its incredible contrast ratios, depth of color and fast response times, making it ideal for immersive single-player experiences and content consumption. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Mini LED, on the other hand, offers high peak brightness and excellent HDR performance while mitigating some of the burn-in concerns associated with OLED, which is valuable for long hours of competitive play. One could make a case for either OLED or Mini LED, but based on industry shipments, we are currently seeing a preference for OLED gaming monitors. I believe we'll also see hybrid innovations — displays that integrate the strengths of multiple technologies — along with advances in panel control and pixel-level tuning. Whatever the technology is, the end goal is very simple: giving gamers more choice and more control over how they experience their games. Absolutely. As devices like the Legion Go 2 redefine what's possible in portable gaming, there's a growing demand for monitors that can match that flexibility without compromising performance. We're already seeing increased interest in lightweight, USB-C-powered displays that deliver high refresh rates and vibrant visuals — and this is just the beginning. I see hybrid and portable gaming monitors becoming a much more mainstream category, especially for gamers who want a secondary screen for on-the-go setups, LAN parties, or even creative work. We are constantly exploring ways to bring new experiences to life, and portable or hybrid gaming monitors will perfectly complement our broader Legion ecosystem. Balancing refresh rate and resolution is one of the biggest technical challenges and opportunities in the gaming display space right now. Gamers want the best of both worlds: incredibly sharp visuals and smooth gameplay, but factors such as economics often play a role. We're investing heavily in panels that can deliver both, as well as in technologies like VRR (variable refresh rate) and advanced overdrive tuning to ensure the experience lives up to the spec. We've also taken a holistic approach — pairing high-performance displays with GPU and thermal innovations across our Legion devices to make sure the full system can support high frame rates at high resolutions. 4K at 240Hz was novel before, but is no longer a future concept; it's something we're actively testing and optimizing for real-world gaming use cases. AI and software optimization are rapidly becoming foundational to the future of gaming displays. From dynamic backlight control to real-time upscaling and latency reduction, we're seeing smarter systems that adapt to the user, the content and even ambient lighting conditions. I'm particularly excited about how AI can personalize the visual experience — whether it's through auto-calibration, scene-based color tuning or adaptive refresh management. These aren't just enhancements — they're tools that let gamers focus more on their performance and immersion, and less on manual settings. We're already integrating AI capabilities into our Legion products, and you can expect to see even more intelligent display features in our upcoming lineup. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
