Why I sold my ROG Ally X for a Legion Go

Summary

In this video, the reviewer shares their reasons for switching from the ROG Ally to the Lenovo Legion Go. The Legion Go impresses with its larger, higher-resolution screen, offering a more fluid and immersive experience, especially with its 144 Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the detachable controllers and sturdy kickstand enhance its versatility, making it feel like a tablet when needed. However, the reviewer notes some software issues, such as slower menus and buggy quick toggles, as well as the need for custom mapping of thumbsticks. Despite these flaws, the Legion Go is favored for its superior display and overall build quality.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Lenovo Legion Go has a significantly larger and higher-quality display compared to the ROG Ally X, featuring a 1440p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate.
• 😀 The screen size and bezel-less design of the Lenovo Legion Go provide a more modern and immersive viewing experience than the ROG Ally X.
• 😀 The ROG Ally X suffers from build quality issues, with squeaky buttons and triggers, particularly the analog sticks and D-pad.
• 😀 The Lenovo Legion Go offers a detachable controller design, similar to the Nintendo Switch, which allows users to use it as a tablet with a built-in kickstand.
• 😀 The kickstand on the Lenovo Legion Go is sturdy and adjustable, making it highly useful in various situations, such as when traveling or watching content.
• 😀 The software on the Lenovo Legion Go, Legion Space, is less refined than Armory Crate on the ROG Ally X, with slower load times and less fluid navigation.
• 😀 Quick toggle functions on the Lenovo Legion Go are not as intuitive or reliable as those on the ROG Ally X, which has dedicated buttons for quick actions.
• 😀 Battery life on the Lenovo Legion Go is relatively short, with around an hour for gaming, but it can last up to 2-3 hours for light tasks like video watching.
• 😀 Users who prefer thumbsticks as a cursor input will find the Lenovo Legion Go lacking this functionality by default, requiring Steam Input to map the thumbsticks.
• 😀 Despite its drawbacks in software optimization and battery life, the Lenovo Legion Go is preferred by the user for its better screen quality and versatile usage options.

Q & A

What are the key advantages of the Lenovo Legion Go over the ASUS ROG Ally?

The key advantages of the Lenovo Legion Go include a larger and higher-resolution screen (1440p), a 144Hz refresh rate, a more modern bezel-to-bezel design, better build quality (no squeaky buttons or triggers), and the ability to detach controllers, transforming it into a tablet with a built-in kickstand.

How does the display of the Lenovo Legion Go compare to the ASUS ROG Ally?

The Lenovo Legion Go has a much larger screen with a 1440p resolution, offering a crisper and more immersive experience compared to the smaller display of the ASUS ROG Ally. Additionally, the Legion Go's 144Hz refresh rate provides smoother navigation, especially for Windows tasks.

What issues did the reviewer have with the ASUS ROG Ally's build quality?

The reviewer experienced squeaky buttons, particularly with the triggers and the D-pad, which detracted from the overall build quality. There was also an issue with the right analog stick making an unpleasant noise when pressed.

What feature of the Lenovo Legion Go does the reviewer find most appealing?

The reviewer finds the detachable controllers and the tablet-like functionality of the Lenovo Legion Go to be one of its most appealing features. The kickstand, which allows for hands-free use, is also a major bonus, especially during travel or when media consumption is the primary use.

Does the Lenovo Legion Go have any software-related issues?

Yes, the Lenovo Legion Go’s software, Legion Space, is less refined compared to the ASUS ROG Ally's Armory Crate. The startup can be slow, the interface sometimes feels jerky, and the quick menu takes longer to load. Additionally, the software doesn't always boot up on startup, requiring manual activation.

What are the limitations of the Lenovo Legion Go's quick toggle features?

The quick toggle features on the Lenovo Legion Go are less efficient compared to the Rog Ally. The reviewer mentions that the controls for opening the task manager or keyboard sometimes don’t work as expected, and navigating the quick toggles can be more cumbersome.

How does the Lenovo Legion Go handle battery life during gaming?

The battery life of the Lenovo Legion Go is quite limited during gaming, with the reviewer stating it lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours for most AAA games. However, the battery life improves when used for less intensive tasks like video watching or browsing, potentially lasting 2 to 3 hours.

What workaround does the reviewer suggest for using the thumbsticks as a cursor on the Lenovo Legion Go?

The reviewer suggests using Steam's input settings to map the thumbsticks to function as a cursor. This is an additional step since the Legion Go does not have this feature enabled by default, unlike the ASUS ROG Ally.

What does the reviewer think about the Lenovo Legion Go's kickstand?

The reviewer praises the kickstand of the Lenovo Legion Go, describing it as sturdy and highly functional. It allows for hands-free viewing and gaming, making it particularly useful when traveling or for media consumption.

What are the main trade-offs the reviewer faced when switching to the Lenovo Legion Go?

The main trade-offs for the reviewer are software and battery life. While the Lenovo Legion Go offers a better display and build quality, its software isn’t as refined as the Rog Ally's, and the battery life isn’t ideal for long gaming sessions. However, the reviewer finds these drawbacks acceptable in exchange for the superior display and flexibility.