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Head-to-head · Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X vs Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

ASUS ROG Ally X comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Microsoft ecosystem users seeking Game Pass access — read the strengths below before deciding.

ASUS ROG Ally X
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs
ASUS ROG Ally X
4 sources2 derived

The ROG Ally X is an incremental but meaningful update to ASUS's handheld PC, pairing a Ryzen Z2 A with reworked grips that reviewers repeatedly single out as the most comfortable in the x86 handheld class. Digitally Downloaded and Ultrabook Review both rate the refined build above the raw silicon, which is the trade this generation makes. The Xbox-branded front end pulls Steam, Epic and Xbox libraries into one list and boots straight into it, though Windows is still underneath with all the driver and update friction that implies. Battery endurance remains the limit on long sessions.

Strengths
  • — Slightly more powerful than predecessor with AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor
  • — Refined build with comfortable hand grips and improved button layout
  • — Better battery life compared to original model
Watch-outs
  • — Battery life still insufficient for extended use
  • — Xbox UI may not appeal to non-Microsoft ecosystem users
Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)
Ranked #5 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs
Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)
4 sources1 derived$849.99as of Jul 31

The Lenovo Legion Go S gets pitched as the better Steam Deck, and its AMD Z1 Extreme chipset, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD back that up on portable AAA gaming. PCMag's Zackery Cuevas called it a 'better Steam Deck' that surpasses expectations, and digitalchumps reviewer Will Silberman watched it run demanding titles like The Last of Us Part II smoothly. Reviewers criticized the loud fan noise and the limitation that blocks background game updates during sleep mode. Gamers who want SteamOS compatibility and high performance should look; anyone who values quiet operation or battery efficiency shouldn't.

Strengths
  • — Runs graphically intensive games smoothly with consistent framerates
  • — Features an 8in WUXGA LCD touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate and VRR
  • — Powered by AMD Z1 Extreme chipset with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD for high performance
Watch-outs
  • — Fan runs loudly even during light usage
  • — Game installation and updates cannot be done while device is in sleep mode
$849.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally X stands out with its Xbox-branded UI and Game Pass integration, which differentiates it from competitors like the Valve Steam Deck OLED that focuses on SteamOS. However, while it offers slightly better battery life than its predecessor, it still falls short compared to the MSI Claw 8's 80WHr capacity and lacks the raw performance of the Lenovo Legion Go S with its Z1 Extreme chipset.

Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)

The Lenovo Legion Go S outperforms the Steam Deck OLED and Valve Steam Deck OLED in terms of hardware specs, featuring a Z1 Extreme chipset and 32GB RAM, making it superior for graphically intensive games. Unlike the ASUS ROG Ally X, it avoids the Xbox UI but suffers from loud fan noise and lacks the OLED screen quality of the Valve model.

Specs side-by-side

SpecASUS ROG Ally XLenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)
ProcessorAMD Ryzen Z2 AAMD Z1 Extreme
Display7 inch, 1920 x 1080 px8in WUXGA (1900 x 1200)
Memory16 GB LPDDR5-640032GB
Storage512 GB NVMe PCIe gen 41TB M.2 SSD
Battery40 Wh~55.5Wh
Graphics12 RDNA 3 CUs, up to 2.7 GHzAMD Ryzen Z2 Go
Refresh Rate120Hz120Hz
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