The new breed of handheld PCs designed for gaming can’t deny their inspiration. The success of the Nintendo Switch definitely made the dream of AAA gaming on the go a reality. Of course, that only works if you’re all in on Nintendo’s ecosystem, though PC gamers have been relying on laptops for their portable experience. The likes of the Lenovo Legion Go, however, have taken us closer not just to truly portable PC gaming but to an experience almost similar to the Nintendo Switch with its removable controllers. Now the PC giant has come out not with a successor but with much-needed accessories that give the handheld gaming PC a more holistic image and a more complete mobile experience.
Designer: Lenovo
Handheld gaming PCs have definitely kicked the doors wide open for PC gaming on the go, but almost all of them lacked one important Nintendo Switch feature from day one: first-party accessories. Sure, you can connect a keyboard, mouse, and maybe even an external monitor, but in most cases you also have to hunt for hubs and docks that you can only hope will actually work as promised. In contrast, the Switch had the TV dock, holders and chargers for Joycons, and more, emphasizing a complete ecosystem that removed much of the concerns that PC gamers face even on laptops and desktops.
The new set of Legion Go accessories does that for Lenovo’s first-ever handheld, making it an even more flexible system for gaming and, ironically, work. At the top of the list is probably the official Legion Go USB-C Dock, providing a home for the handheld at home, making it easy to turn the Legion Go into a desktop or living room console when you’re not out and about. The Legion Go Charging Connector keeps the handheld’s removable TrueStrike controllers always ready when you need them. You can even use the controllers while attached, turning them into a distinct and standalone gamepad.
Although not directly related to the Legion Go, Lenovo also announced a mini Bluetooth keyboard that’s a perfect complement to the portable computer. The Legion Go has one of the largest screens among handheld PCs, so you can type out an email response or some other document with this keyboard. Plus, it also lets you easily play PC games that can only use a keyboard and mouse for input, especially since one of the TrueStrike controllers functions as a joystick-like mouse when detached.
Other members of the Legion Go accessory family include an official carrying bag, as well as joystick and button caps. Unfortunately, they may have come a little too late to make a world of difference. While some owners have probably made do with third-party products that offer the same functionality, these official Lenovo accessories bring the guarantee of actually working well with the Legion Go.
