Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: A Battle of Windows Gaming Handhelds

Windows gaming handhelds are devices that allow you to play PC games on the go, using a portable and compact form factor. They run on Windows 11 and have powerful processors, graphics, and memory that can handle most modern games. However, not all Windows gaming handhelds are created equal, and there are some differences and trade-offs that you need to consider before buying one.

In this blog post, we will compare two of the newest and most advanced Windows gaming handhelds on the market: the Legion Go from Lenovo and the Asus ROG Ally. These devices have a lot in common, such as the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, the 16GB of RAM, and the 512GB of SSD storage. However, they also have some distinctive features and specifications that set them apart, such as the screen size and resolution, the controller design and layout, and the battery life and performance. We will examine these aspects and more, and help you decide which device is the best for your gaming needs and preferences.

Screen Size and Resolution

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a Windows gaming handheld is the screen size and resolution. The screen size determines how large and immersive the gaming experience is, while the resolution determines how sharp and detailed the graphics are. The Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally have different screen sizes and resolutions, which can affect your gaming enjoyment and comfort.

The Legion Go has a larger screen size than the Asus ROG Ally, measuring 8.8 inches diagonally. This gives you more screen real estate and a wider field of view, which can enhance your gaming immersion and visibility. However, a larger screen size also means a larger and heavier device, which can make it less portable and more cumbersome to hold and carry around.

The Asus ROG Ally has a smaller screen size than the Legion Go, measuring 7 inches diagonally. This makes it more compact and lightweight, which can make it easier to transport and use. However, a smaller screen size also means a narrower field of view, which can reduce your gaming immersion and visibility.

The Legion Go also has a higher screen resolution than the Asus ROG Ally, boasting 2560 x 1600 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This gives you more pixels per inch and a sharper and clearer image quality, which can improve your gaming aesthetics and details. However, a higher screen resolution also means more power consumption and more strain on the processor and graphics, which can affect your battery life and performance.

The Asus ROG Ally has a lower screen resolution than the Legion Go, offering 1920 x 1080 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This gives you fewer pixels per inch and a less sharp and clear image quality, which can degrade your gaming aesthetics and details. However, a lower screen resolution also means less power consumption and less strain on the processor and graphics, which can enhance your battery life and performance.

Controller Design and Layout

Another important factor to consider when choosing a Windows gaming handheld is the controller design and layout. The controller design and layout determine how comfortable and ergonomic the device is, while the controller layout determines how intuitive and convenient the controls are. The Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally have different controller designs and layouts, which can affect your gaming comfort and experience.

The Legion Go has a unique controller design and layout, featuring detachable controllers that can be attached to the sides of the device or used separately. The controllers have a trackpad and a mouse wheel on the right side, which can be used as a mouse input for games that require it. The controllers also have a back button on the back of the device, which can be used as a shortcut for various functions. However, the detachable controllers can also make the device less stable and secure, and the trackpad and mouse wheel can also be less accurate and responsive than a physical mouse.

The Asus ROG Ally has a conventional controller design and layout, featuring fixed controllers that are integrated into the device. The controllers have a standard layout of buttons, triggers, and joysticks, which can be familiar and comfortable for most gamers. The controllers also have a fingerprint reader on the right side, which can be used as a security and convenience feature. However, the fixed controllers can also make the device less versatile and customizable, and the fingerprint reader can also be less useful and reliable than a password or a PIN.

Battery Life and Performance

The final factor to consider when choosing a Windows gaming handheld is the battery life and performance. The battery life determines how long you can play games on the device without needing to recharge it, while the performance determines how well the device can run games at different settings and resolutions. The Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally have different battery life and performance, which can affect your gaming satisfaction and efficiency.

The Legion Go has a longer battery life than the Asus ROG Ally, claiming to last up to 8 hours of gaming on a single charge. This gives you more gaming time and less charging time, which can increase your gaming satisfaction and efficiency. The Legion Go also supports Super Rapid Charge, which can charge the device up to 50% in 30 minutes. However, the actual battery life of the Legion Go can vary depending on the game, the settings, and the resolution, and it can also be shorter than the advertised time.

The Asus ROG Ally has a shorter battery life than the Legion Go, claiming to last up to 5 hours of gaming on a single charge. This gives you less gaming time and more charging time, which can decrease your gaming satisfaction and efficiency. The Asus ROG Ally also does not support any fast charging technology, which can make the charging process slower and longer. However, the actual battery life of the Asus ROG Ally can also vary depending on the game, the settings, and the resolution, and it can also be longer than the advertised time.

The Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally have similar performance, as they both use the same processor and graphics, the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. This chip is a custom-made processor for handheld gaming, which can handle most modern games at high settings and resolutions. However, the performance of the Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally can also depend on other factors, such as the RAM, the SSD, the cooling system, and the software optimization. The Legion Go has faster RAM and a larger SSD than the Asus ROG Ally, which can improve the loading and running speed of the games. The Asus ROG Ally has a better cooling system and a more optimized software than the Legion Go, which can prevent overheating and improve stability and compatibility of the games.

Conclusion

The Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally are both excellent Windows gaming handhelds, but they have different strengths and weaknesses that can suit different gamers and preferences. The Legion Go has a larger and higher-resolution screen, detachable controllers, and a longer battery life, which can make it more immersive, versatile, and durable. The Asus ROG Ally has a smaller and lower-resolution screen, fixed controllers, and a shorter battery life, which can make it more portable, comfortable, and efficient. Both devices have similar performance, but they can also differ in terms of speed, cooling, and optimization.

Ultimately, the choice between the Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally depends on what you value more in a Windows gaming handheld. If you want a more immersive, versatile, and durable device, you might prefer the Legion Go. If you want a more portable, comfortable, and efficient device, you might prefer the Asus ROG Ally. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either device, as they both offer a great gaming experience on the go.

References:

¹: Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: Which Windows Gaming Handheld Should You Choose? ²: Lenovo Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: Which handheld gaming PC is better for you? ³: Lenovo Legion Go hands-on review | Tom’s Guide ⁴: Lenovo Legion Go is like Switch and ROG Ally combined into a better handheld gaming PC | Windows Central ⁵: Lenovo Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: Which handheld gaming PC is best? ⁶: Lenovo Legion Go vs ASUS ROG Ally - VideoGamer ⁷: Lenovo Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: Which handheld holds up?

Keywords:

Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally, Windows gaming handhelds, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, screen size and resolution, controller design and layout, battery life and performance