Because the graphical settings listed below are mainly turned all the way in which down already, if you wish to play the most recent video games, you’ll should 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 had been in a position to break 60 FPS to essentially make the most of the high-refresh panel.
One different callout I need to make, which I imagine is said to CPU efficiency, is the “Shaders Compiling” course of that runs whenever you launch some new video games takes a particularly very long time on the Go S. I seen it once 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 associates would already be taking part in with out me by the point I received to the principle menu.
{Photograph}: Brad Bourque
The followers on the Legion Go S are additionally surprisingly loud, significantly in efficiency mode, sufficient that the individual sitting subsequent to you on the bus will in all probability hold trying 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 rapidly hit 80 levels beneath load.
Battery life isn’t too unhealthy in comparison with related techniques. I received two hours and alter of runtime taking part in Marvel Rivals at full decision and refresh, on Balanced energy, with the display brightness at 35%. I received effectively over three hours simply jamming video games of Balatro with the identical settings. That’s about the identical as I get taking part in related video games on my Steam Deck, however with the next decision and refresh display, so I’d name {that a} stable 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. If you happen to’re prepared to place in some effort, the Legion Go S may very well be the centerpiece of a really slick transportable desktop setup. I can completely think about having a setup for dwelling with an exterior GPU and high-end monitor, taking part in some video games on the way in which to the workplace, then plugging in at my desk with extra productivity-focused peripherals.
The largest barrier right here is unquestionably Home windows, and the distinct lack of help for this type of system, 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 in the event you received’t get to essentially use it besides whereas taking part in Terraria.