People are paying $650 over MSRP for the Lenovo Legion Go 2 because it’s nearly impossible to find — and honestly, I get it, it’s the best handheld gaming PC of 2025

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I originally intended to write a short review of Lenovo’s Legion Go 2, a high-end handheld gaming PC, because I really liked the first version. I knew the model with the AMD Z2 Extreme processor was hard to find – there seem to be supply problems with AMD, though I’m not sure if that’s the exact reason – so I checked. It’s still out of stock everywhere, and resellers are selling it for around $2,000 on eBay.

That’s $650 above the MSRP of the already jaw-dropping $1,350!

And yes, people are buying them at that price with multiple auctions going on and units being sold.

It’s easy to see why the Legion Go 2 is being called the best gaming handheld PC of the year. I’d choose it over the Xbox Ally X thanks to its superior screen and innovative features. You can find a detailed comparison – complete with performance tests – between the two if you’re interested.

I believe 2025 will be the year handheld gaming PCs become widely popular, which is long overdue. Unfortunately, a predicted RAM shortage and price increases in 2026 could slow down the growth of this promising new market.

Handheld gaming PCs aren’t perfect yet – battery life could still be better. However, companies like ASUS and Lenovo have built on the success of Valve’s Steam Deck and really improved the concept, giving users more choices. These advancements have boosted the quality and performance to a point where these devices now deliver on – and sometimes surpass – what people expect.

Legion Go 2 is the high-end option

I really have to commend PC manufacturers for finding ways to stand out, particularly Lenovo. Their Legion Go was a real departure from what was already available, boasting a large 8.8-inch screen, a built-in kickstand, and detachable joysticks—a feature inspired by Nintendo, with a unique “FPS mode” designed for first-person shooter games.

Our review of the Legion Go was positive, but the new Legion Go 2 takes everything we liked about the first one and improves it, addressing all its shortcomings. I’ve been testing the Legion Go 2 for a few weeks now, and I’m no longer using my Steam Deck OLED or original ASUS ROG Ally. Both of those devices are still good, but the Legion Go 2 simply performs better in every way. The main downsides are the price and its larger size, though I actually appreciate the size since I mostly use it at home while relaxing.

The Legion Go 2 now features a stunning OLED screen with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, making it the best in its class. It also feels much more solid and well-made, with a noticeable improvement in build quality. Powered by a powerful AMD Z2 Extreme processor and 32GB of RAM, the Legion Go 2 also offers surprisingly good battery life – better than many comparable devices from previous years, even if it’s not exceptional.

What about Windows 11 and gaming?

I agree with the criticisms of Windows 11 on handheld gaming PCs. While it has some advantages, the Steam Deck really raised the standard for how easy, fast, and well-designed these devices should be. As soon as Valve made SteamOS available for other handhelds, I immediately installed it on my Legion Go and ROG Ally, got rid of Windows, and haven’t regretted it since.

But hear me out: I think I’m going to keep Windows 11 on Legion Go 2.

Lenovo has significantly improved its software over the past year, jumping from a D+ to a B+ rating. While it doesn’t quite match the quality of SteamOS yet, it’s getting close. Lenovo is actively listening to customer feedback and making the changes users want, which suggests continued improvement in the future.

I’ve been testing a device with 32GB of RAM, a 1TB storage drive, and AMD’s new Z2 Extreme processor, and I’m actually pleasantly surprised with Windows. I did remove some pre-installed apps where possible, but overall, it’s not hindering performance at all. It’s running quite smoothly, honestly.

What about the new early-access Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE)?

I was really excited about Xbox FSE, and I especially like how it aims to give you a simpler Windows gaming experience by removing extra background processes. However, while the Xbox app isn’t *bad*, it definitely has room for improvement.

Currently, I’m juggling a few different programs to get the best gaming experience on my Windows PC. I use Xbox FSE to help optimize performance, Legion Go Space to organize and launch games, and Steam’s Big Picture Mode. It’s a bit complicated, which is often the case with gaming on Windows, but it’s definitely an improvement over how things were a couple of years ago.

Xbox FSE is still new, and Microsoft has potential if they improve the Xbox app. Making it smoother, more visually appealing, and better organized – especially for recently played games – could really bring their ideas to life. However, they’ll need to put in the effort, so it remains to be seen if they can deliver.

I’m considering replacing Windows on my Legion Go 2 with SteamOS or Bazzite, but I’m not frustrated enough with Windows right now to make the switch. I’m curious to see how Microsoft develops its Full Screen Experience feature before I decide.

Is Legion Go 2 (Z2 Extreme) worth $1,350 or even $2,000?

Just so you know, Lenovo provided me with the Legion Go 2 for review. I didn’t purchase it myself, especially considering its high price of $1,349.99 – and I definitely didn’t pay the $2,000 some people are asking for it on eBay.

I’ve faced some personal challenges lately, like many people do, and one of them was rediscovering my love for gaming. I’m happy to say that I’m finally getting back into it, and the Legion Go 2 has been a big part of that.

I’m getting older, and a larger, high-quality screen like the 8.8-inch OLED is really easy on my eyes! Plus, I’ve mostly stopped gaming on consoles or my computer because it can be isolating when you live with someone. With a handheld gaming device, we can relax on the couch together – watching TV, spending time with our pets, playing games, and actually talking to each other.

It might seem a little silly, but getting out is better than staying home and isolating myself with video games, especially when my dogs miss our usual evening cuddle time on the couch. Anyone who has a dog understands how important that shared time is!

Ultimately, handheld gaming is finally delivering on its promise. Thanks to better processors and technologies like AMD Super Resolution, I’m now able to play demanding AAA shooters at smooth frame rates, along with all sorts of other games. It feels like a truly satisfying gaming experience, especially for more relaxed play.

I wasn’t bothered by the fan noise at all, and the speakers actually sound really good. Plus, I’m loving these smooth Hall Effect joysticks. It’s amazing how much things have improved – we definitely didn’t have features like these just a couple of years ago.

I’m optimistic that the cost of these devices will come down, but even now, they’re genuinely impressive. Nintendo and Valve really pioneered this technology, and I’m looking forward to seeing how companies like Alienware, Razer, and HyperX (HP) innovate, while ASUS and Lenovo keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

The price seems reasonable, as we offer devices ranging from $499 to $1,350. There’s a real need for more options for consumers, particularly in gaming, and companies are responding by experimenting and developing innovative products. I’d personally like to see a $399 model, especially now that Valve has discontinued its LCD Steam Deck.

I’m really excited about this and looking forward to seeing how things develop in 2026 and 2027. It would be especially interesting if Qualcomm, who have been considering it for a while, decides to get involved. We’ll have to wait and see what happens!

Are handheld gaming PCs finally hitting the mark with their hardware? Are they good enough as they are, or do they still need improvements? And if you could pick any company to create the next one, who would it be and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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2025-12-28 22:11