For the reason that graphical settings listed below are principally turned all the way in which down already, if you wish to play the most recent video games, you’ll need to compromise by dropping the decision. I didn’t discover the medium choice of 1,600×1,000 that compelling, and some video games didn’t help it in any respect. At 1,280×800, I used to be hanging out extra comfortably within the 45+ vary, which felt playable, however not one of the fashionable 3D video games I examined have been in a position to break 60 FPS to essentially make the most of the high-refresh panel.
One different callout I wish to make, which I consider is expounded to CPU efficiency, is the “Shaders Compiling” course of that runs if you launch some new video games takes a particularly very long time on the Go S. I seen it after I first launched Marvel Rivals, and used a well-timed replace to time it. It took over 14 minutes to finish, lengthy sufficient that my buddies would already be enjoying with out me by the point I obtained to the primary menu.
{Photograph}: Brad Bourque
The followers on the Legion Go S are additionally surprisingly loud, notably in efficiency mode, sufficient that the individual sitting subsequent to you on the bus will most likely preserve wanting over to wonder if you’re cooking one thing. They’re a bit quieter on the balanced setting, however that causes the GPU and CPU temps to shortly hit 80 levels below load.
Battery life isn’t too unhealthy in comparison with comparable methods. I obtained two hours and alter of runtime enjoying Marvel Rivals at full decision and refresh, on Balanced energy, with the display brightness at 35%. I obtained effectively over three hours simply jamming video games of Balatro with the identical settings. That’s about the identical as I get enjoying comparable video games on my Steam Deck, however with a better decision and refresh display, so I’d name {that a} strong victory for the Legion Go S.
A Actual Home windows Handheld?
I can see a few of you licking your chops a few correct Home windows handheld, and I don’t blame you. When you’re keen to place in some effort, the Legion Go S might be the centerpiece of a really slick moveable desktop setup. I can completely think about having a setup for house with an exterior GPU and high-end monitor, enjoying some video games on the way in which to the workplace, then plugging in at my desk with extra productivity-focused peripherals.
The most important barrier right here is certainly Home windows, and the distinct lack of help for this type of gadget, which can make the SteamOS model extra interesting to informal players. Lenovo put some effort into making instruments that assist make the expertise work higher, however even these want some polish for usability and responsiveness. Nonetheless, the display is a definite improve from the Steam Deck, even when you received’t get to essentially use it besides whereas enjoying Terraria.