The summer of 2024, the hottest on record, and Brat summer to you and me. Remember those heady days? Lenovo does. It might be two years late, but the brand is bringing its latest LOQ gaming laptop to market in "Surge" green attire, an all-out Brat assault that would have sent the venn diagram of Charlie XCX gamers off the rails back in the day.

It's a bold look for the brand's cheapest gaming laptop range, dropping the blacks, silvers, and whites of the rest of the market in favor of something that stands a little brighter on the shelves. The Lenovo LOQ 15AHP11 isn't killing its entry-level spec sheet, though, launching with a conservative AMD Ryzen 7 250 processor, RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It's not going to trouble the best gaming laptops on the market, but it's a solid pick for student shoppers.

As a cheaper entry, the Lenovo LOQ is also geared around everyday versatility. Its 15.6-inch display keeps things simple with a 1200p resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and 300 nits of brightness, letting that Shrek aesthetic do the talking instead.

With an RTX 5050 under the hood you won't need to move past that FHD+ resolution either. The lightest mobile GPU on the market right now, this is the go-to for anyone after an everyday laptop first and foremost - with the ability to power through lighter games at will.

The Lenovo LOQ "Surge Green" officially launches in mid-June, currently slated to land at £1,579.99 in the UK. Like most gaming laptops released in 2026, that's a little higher than you'll find last year's models. Thanks to increased costs associated with the RAM shortage, I'd urge anyone who can live without such a bold aesthetic to look at previous releases instead.

Right now, for example, an Intel i5 configuration with double the storage is available for £949.99 (was £1,149.99) at Box. We also don't know whether the Brat LOQ will launch in the US, but will keep you updated.

Check out the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops for more options, or take a look at the best Razer laptops for more thin'n'light options.

Gaming laptop speakers have always been workable, but almost never preferable. Fans get in the way of footprints, and cranking the volume to overcome the whirr often creates some kind of post-punk distorted mess. That's not troubling Audioscenic, though, who has just announced a partnership with Lenovo to bring its 3D beamforming tech to the Legion 7a.

This spatial audio tech "creates a wide, three-dimensional soundstage that appears to extend beyond the physical boundaries of the device," according to Audioscenic. It's being touted as a full 3D sound experience without the need for the one of the best gaming headsets, but unless the Legion has found a magical method of reducing fan noise to zero, I still hold my reservations.

Even the best gaming laptops can still kick up a notable amount of noise when running games even in their lower power settings, so rev their engines to full TDP and those fans can easily overpower at full volume.

Still, as the years roll on these rigs are starting to run a little quieter (helped by more efficient CPUs and GPUs in the last 12 months). That could create a gap for Audioscenic's spatial audio software, even if it's just dipping its toe for now.

Lenovo has previously turned to Harman for virtual surround sound in its Legion gaming laptops, and with no word on that relationship we can only assume the new Legion 7a is a more isolated experiment. Should those fans leave a little more room for precise, directional audio this could be a machine worth investigating, especially if you struggle with 'headset fatigue.'

The Lenovo Legion 7a will ship with the brand's stamp from June 2026, though pricing is yet to hit the airwaves.

We're also rounding up the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops, or check out the best Alienware laptops for something a little chunkier.

One look at RTX 5090 gaming laptop prices is enough to have anyone shimmying a few rungs down the power ladder, but B&H Photo's latest sale just dropped and it's offering one of the biggest discounts I've seen on a top-shelf rig.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i has been shunted all the way down to $2,999 today, from an original $3,999 starting point. Even that before rate is looking good - I've spec matched this exact rig at the brand's own site and it'll cost you $4,279.99 without any discounts applied.

You'll need to know you're ready to invest in one of the best gaming laptops for that price tag to make sense, but if you've been hovering over these high-spec configurations for a while now's the time to take the leap. After all, I rarely see RTX 5090 machines anywhere close to $3,000.

If you haven't been keeping abreast of RTX 5090 prices, it's worth noting there's usually a serious jump from the GPU rung below. Right now, Best Buy's cheapest machine in this class is the MSI Raider 18 HX AI for $3,699.99.

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You're looking at about $500 more than an RTX 5080 machine with this offer, for performance that (as per my mobile GPU upgrade and Cyberpunk 2077-specific benchmark tests) averages out as around a 23.47% improvement in synthetic benchmarks (Steel Nomad) and an approximate 29.41% boost to in-game framerates (Cyberpunk 2077, RT: Ultra).

Considering you're spending roughly 20% more to get there, that's a price to performance ratio I can get behind.

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It's not just about Lenovo, I've been benchmarking all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops for more options, or take a look at the best Alienware laptops that are just around the corner.

Lenovo has officially revealed its fifth generation Legion tablet at MWC this weekend, but it's not the 3K resolution or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that has me excited. The brand has also announced that the new device will feature up to 16GB of "10667Mbps RAM," that sounds a lot like the LPDDR5T standard only just starting to creep into the best gaming tablets.

Lenovo Legion Tab specs have been rumored for some time now, and the brand's recent announcement pretty much confirms everything that's been swirling across the web. The key difference is that 16GB cap on memory. Previous leaks suggested up to 24GB for the new generation model, though we could be looking at different configurations for different territories.

The specific RAM type isn't exactly set in stone, Lenovo has only announced the speeds of its new sticks. However, that 10667Mbps figure sits inline with the LPDDR5X Ultra+ sticks (another boosted LPDDR5X system) we've been seeing popping up in the OnePlus 15 and the LPDDR5T in the RedMagic 11 Pro late last year.

Taking this faster memory from the world of the best gaming phones, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 takes square aim at the super-fast RedMagic Astra already using the standard.

LPDDR5T RAM explained

Standard data transfer rates before SK Hynix took LPDDR5T RAM to the market settled at around 8,000-9,500 Mbps. The new standard can push those numbers up into five figures, with additional benefits in power efficiency and better handling of on-device AI features. It's essentially got a higher bandwidth, more room for more instructions running at a faster rate.

In real life, that translates to the kind of benchmark-breaking performance I saw in the RedMagic 11 Pro and RedMagic Astra devices last year, boosting framerates and reducing loading times when paired with the right components in a chassis that can keep everything running smoothly enough. Is it a new development? No, but it's only just starting to make its way into more mainstream handsets and tablets, offering a mid-generation refresh for devices that would otherwise have been settling for LPDDR5X speeds.

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For more portable play options, check out the best gaming handhelds and best mobile controllers on the market. We're also rounding up all the best gaming earbuds available.

OLED gaming laptops were once reserved for those with exponential budgets in their back pockets, but something changed last year. Machines available for as little as $1,299 started proudly sporting these high-contrast displays, running affordable mid-range or even entry level components while still offering panels only the best gaming laptops could have dreamed of a few years ago. These days, it's easy to find an OLED gaming laptop for well under $1,500, but two options stand taller than the rest right now.

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI are both available for between $1,100 and $1,500 with an RTX 5060 graphics card, offering some of the best bang-for-buck value on the market, especially if you can't part with that premium display.

The OLED gaming laptops to watch in 2026

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10

I can't tell you how many times I've spotted the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 slimming down its price point and rushed to get a story out. Even at full price, this machine represents exceptional value for anyone after a high-contrast display. Where does it fall short? Well, its panel throws up considerably more glare than the two more expensive options on this list. If you're used to playing in a daylit room, you may well struggle with darker scenes. It certainly comes to life when the sun goes down, though.

Configurable up to an RTX 5070, I tested an RTX 5060 version and came away impressed with its FHD performance in both lighter and more demanding games. Yes, you'll need to employ a few DLSS tricks or dial some sliders back for full 60fps in heavier titles, but that's the norm for a GPU of this class.

This is the best value gaming laptop I've tested so far for a reason, and it's currently the cheapest machine I recommend with an OLED display.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI

In the middle we have the Acer Predator Helios Neo. This is a slightly more expensive model, but it compliments that higher price tag with an RTX 5070 Ti configuration option, a far less glossy display, and a slick design. I tested that top-end version, so my benchmarks will run a little high compared to the RTX 5060 configuration we're talking about today. Still, there are some translatable findings.

The Helios I tested managed to keep pace with far more expensive rigs, giving the admittedly slimmer Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 and its RTX 5080 GPU something to think about, while beating the chunkier Asus ROG Strix G16.

The crown jewel is that OLED panel, though. These machines start at around $1,600 at full price, $400-odd more than the Lenovo Legion 5 above. Both rigs offer excellent contrast and colors, but the Predator fares better in higher lighting conditions as well.

Do you need an OLED gaming laptop?

These two OLED gaming laptops are certainly cheaper than the rest of the market, but it's still only worth grabbing a high-contrast display if you know you'll make use of it. That's why you don't typically see too many 18-inch devices running these kinds of displays.

If you're buying a gaming laptop only to hook it up to an external display, there's no reason to invest so much in the panel. In that case I'd prioritize port speed, Thunderbolt 5, and a chunkier chassis for better performance. Dropping back down to an IPS display could well leave space in your budget to climb up a GPU class, offering far better returns when connected to one of the best gaming monitors.

Having spent the last year getting my hands on all the latest OLED gaming laptops, though, I'd generally recommend most players shoot for a high-contrast display. The difference in color handling and overall clarity is undeniable - just one look at the best Alienware laptops (a brand that hasn't quite jumped on the OLED bandwagon just yet) shows how much you can spend on an inferior screen.

I upgraded to an OLED Razer Blade 14 last year and haven't looked back.

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I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops. Or, for something more portable check out the best gaming handhelds on the market. If you need the full tower power, take a look at the best gaming PCs we've been testing.

Lenovo could be taking a leaf out of RedMagic's book with its next tablet, as recent teases point to the upcoming Legion Y700 packing a massive 24GB of RAM. That's a hefty stick, especially in the face of shortages, that promises to deliver on demanding games and multi-tasking when aligned with that Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. It's got a big job ahead of it, looking to take on one of the best gaming tablets on the market right now.

The brand took to Weibo earlier this week to share new details around the upcoming slab. An 8.8-inch, 165Hz display running at 3,040 x 1,904 resolution is on the cards alongside a 1TB storage option. It's that memory that has chatter ablaze this week, though.

It looks like the Lenovo Legion Y700 Gen 5 will ship with 12GB, 16GB or 24GB RAM configurations, scaled up with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSDs. That's inline with the RedMagic Astra, launched last year, an incredibly powerful device from the makers of some of the best gaming phones available.

There's one crucial detail still out of the equation, though. The RedMagic Astra blew the competition away with its speed and stability during testing, but it also had a helping hand. It uses 24GB of LPDDR5T RAM, the same DRAM tech that keeps the RedMagic 11 Pro so competitive. We don't yet know whether the Lenovo Legion Y700 Gen 5 will opt for this faster memory or keep things more traditional with the same LPDDR5X sticks found in the previous generation model.

What difference does it make? Anecdotally, more than you might think.

In a smaller form factor (and admittedly with other smaller sacrifices under the hood), the RedMagic 11 Air dropped the LPDDR5T memory from its spec sheet when it launched earlier this year. While the 11 Pro managed to scale all the way up to 8,000 points in Wild Life Extreme, the 11 Air middled with its 6,912 score.

Of course, there are a lot of different things that go into those final benchmark scores. The Air is a thinner, lighter, cheaper phone with less jazz in the cooling department. RAM alone is in no way responsible for that gap.

Still, it's a contributing factor and with the mobile scene continuing to heat up (and margins for error slimming) all eyes will be on the finer details of Lenovo's spec sheets in the lead up to launch.

• See all gaming tablets at Amazon

Check out all the best gaming handhelds and best gaming laptops for more portable play. Or, take a look at the best mobile controllers for better grip.

Just a week after Nvidia's N1 and N1X Arm processors were leaked to the gaming laptop world, eagle-eyed listing hunters may have found proof that Lenovo is jumping on the chiplet bandwagon. A series of 'supported' models listed on the Lenovo Legion Space support page points to at least one machine geared up with AMD's Strix Halo architecture, alongside previously rumored Nvidia N1X Arm models.

The spot comes from Twitter user Huang514613, who posted a screenshot of the supposed listing on January 23 before it was picked up by others. The 'ASH' portion of that Legion name is telling.

The best gaming laptops get their names in different ways, but Lenovo uses the same format for each release. It's why the previously spotted Legion 7 15N1X11 raised its own eyebrows. Lenovo goes 'model - class - size - processor' and it's the latter that we're concerned about here.

That N1X all but confirmed Nvidia's role in Lenovo's next batch of rigs and now AMD has been sighted in the same outfit.

The Legion 7 15ASH11 follows the same naming conventions; with 'A' representing AMD the same as 'I' counts as Intel elsewhere. That 'SH', though, is being taken to mean Strix Halo - the brand's x86 APU previously seen in the Asus ROG Flow Z13.

Strix Halo (and its rumored upcoming 'Gorgon Halo' refresh) runs differently to the Arm N1X and N1 from Nvidia, using an x86 architecture but still prioritizing its integrated graphics for slimline machines. It's been exclusive to Asus for some time now, running in the best gaming tablet on the market but it looks like Lenovo want to let this chiplet out of its cage.

These slimmer, lighter machines aren't going to be limited to Nvidia's own rumored drop later in the year, then. It looks like the chiplet style is here to stay and could well carve out its own sector of the market by this time next year.

That's better news for those after an all-in-one work and play device. After all, machines running dedicated graphics cards will always beat these SoC options in a footrace. However, as Arm and other integrated systems continue to mature, those putting portability and efficiency first could well have a much wider pool to choose from in the coming year.

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I'm also rounding up all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops on the market. Or, for more slimline options, check out the best Razer laptops I've tested.

Need something to feast the eyes on? The best gaming laptops spent the last year jumping on the OLED bandwagon and speeds grew faster and the display tech dropped in price. If you've been keeping one eye on these high-contrast panels and another on your bank balance, though, I've got one record-breaking deal to offer this week.

The Lenovo Legion 5i has just sailed down to a brand new record-low price at Best Buy, shedding $560 from its $1,559.99 MSRP to hit just $999.99 in the brand's latest sales. That means you're getting an OLED gaming laptop for less than a grand, a sentence I haven't been able to say before today.

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 was already pushing its launch price well with that high-end panel, so I'm not surprised it's the first model I've seen at this kind of price. It's a cheaper rig, and I did notice a little more glare on its screen as a result, but it's more than up to the task of running your Steam library with a little extra visual pzazz. However, if you want to make the most of that QHD+ display in more games, that RTX 5050 GPU may well struggle.

That's where another deal comes in.

While I was marvelling at this holy grail of a gaming laptop deal, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI couldn't help but tickle my peripheral vision. For $150 more than the Lenovo Legion 5, you're picking up a slightly more solid body, a boosted RTX 5060 graphics card, and a screen that offered up less glare overall in my testing.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is a jack of all trades machine. That OLED panel is still working hard for you, alongside boosted specs and a full-sized keyboard underneath. Not only that, but the RTX 5070 Ti version I reviewed actually managed to beat slimmer RTX 5080 models in some benchmark runs.

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 vs Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI

So which gaming laptop should be heading to checkout with you this weekend?

It depends on whether you can break past that $1,000 price barrier. The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 is an impressive machine in isolation - there aren't any other OLED panels at three figure price tags right now, and very few in this price range offer such a sophisticated look and feel. If you've got a hard budget set I'd jump right on this offer, I've never seen it before and loved my time with the chassis in testing.

If you've got a little wiggle room on that budget, though, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is going to give you a lot more for your cash. The display still has a little glare to it, but it's more forgiving of brighter environments than Lenovo, and it's got that 240Hz ticket in its back pocket. An RTX 5060 isn't going to get you up to those speeds at full QHD+, but if you're looking to drop down to 1080p for some competitive gameplay it's certainly worth considering.

On top of that, the Helios Neo adds a full-size keyboard into the mix as well as a slightly chunkier form factor. While a drawback for portability, that extra breathing room means components have typically performed a little better in this chassis than they have in others during my testing.

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After something completely different? I'm running through all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops if you want to spend a little more. If you're maxing out a budget, though, check out the best Alienware laptops on the market.

CES is well known for its concept showcases, with Razer often leading the gaming charge with its new ideas. This year, though, Lenovo's experiment has caught my eye.

There had been rumblings around a rollable display on a Legion gaming laptop at the tail end of 2025, and now CES 2026 has given us full confirmation - it's just not quite ready for production. If the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable never makes it to market, I'll be one sad laptop hoarder.

The machine features a fully expanding screen moving horizontally from its original 16-inch form factor to reach a full 24-inches in size. That's excellent for esports players looking for a wider field of view, but it's the single-player immersion benefits I'm hyped for.

Even the best gaming laptops can't get away from the fact that their screens are never going to beat a dedicated gaming monitor. After all, these are portable devices by nature. That means I never feel like I'm getting the full blockbuster experience when using a laptop display by itself, no matter how hardy that graphics card is.

The screen itself is Lenovo's PureSight OLED panel, tucked away when the laptop is being used conventionally, only to unfurl with the help of a dual-motor system. Lenovo says that the tensioning within this system allows for a "consistent tautness" across the panel, with extra low-friction materials keeping the screen protected during the process as well.

Essentially, you get two extra wings on each side of the 16-inch display, sitting pretty seamlessly with the main panel for an uninterrupted viewing experience. I'll take that over the vertical extension of the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 also announced this year any day.

The proof of concept is on the CES showfloor this week, sporting Intel Core Ultra processors (potentially Panther Lake, but not confirmed) and an RTX 5090 GPU at the helm.

Lenovo is also using it as an excuse to show off its AI Engine+, packing "real-time Scenario Detection' for improving framerate performance. Not on show in the Legion Pro Rollable is the AI Frame Gaming Display concept.

This is a separate development from Lenovo, adding cursor tracking, AI game assistance, and adaptive lighting into the mix.

Lenovo also has a new roster of Legion 5 machines on the showfloor, bringing AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series and Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors to the brand's more affordable Legion lineup. Meanwhile, the more affordable LOQ machines are getting a CPU update as well.

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I'm also rounding up all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops for more portable play. Or, check out the best Razer laptops for something more subtle.

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 is my top pick for anyone hunting down an RTX 50-Series device with an OLED display on a budget this holiday season. It's the best gaming laptop I've tested for sheer value in 2025, and this week it just got even cheaper.

Head over to Lenovo's own site for a $455 discount on a more powerful RTX 5070 configuration right now, that drops the final rate down to just $1,499.99. Considering that's the going rate for most RTX 5060 machines with this kind of display, it's a steal. I have seen RTX 5070 gaming laptop deals dropping slightly lower in the past, but even then you're generally dropping that high-contrast display.

This model comes kitted out with a top of the line Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor as well as that upper mid-range RTX 5070 GPU. There are some sacrifices in the RAM and storage, though. It's pretty easy to find RTX 5070 gaming laptops with 32GB RAM to play with, though you'll be paying more than $1500 to do so. Similarly, you're halving your storage space here. Most machines come with a 1TB SSD as standard these days, whereas the Legion 5 is only packing 512GB.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10?

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 is the brand's cheapest gaming laptop under that 'Legion' moniker (if you're after something more affordable, check out the LOQ line), and yet it still manages to pack an OLED display, sturdy build quality, and slick design. That's what impressed me so much when I reviewed an RTX 5060 configuration back in September.

This is a lower mid-range gaming laptop with all the same DNA as a premium option. Throw in the RTX 5070 GPU and high-end Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and you've got yourself component value and style.

Most gaming laptops in this price range tend to sacrifice one for the other. While you are dropping down to 512GB of storage space, and other models will send you home with 32GB RAM when paired with that RTX 5070, there's still enough juice in here to handle modern titles at impressive settings.

The only thing that could steer you towards a more premium option from my testing is the glare problem. It's certainly commendable that the Legion 5 uses an OLED panel in this cheaper build, but it does suffer from reflections more than luxury options like the Razer Blade 16 and Asus ROG Zephyrus G16. It's far less noticeable in darker environments, but if you need a laptop to work on in lighter environments it's worth taking another look at that screen.

I'm also rounding up all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops for more offers. Or, check out the best Razer laptops for a more slimline design.

Portable PC gaming is big business right now, what with the number of handhelds springing up and gaming laptops packing more of a punch than ever. With portability comes two major sacrifices though; screen size and battery.

It looks like Lenovo wants to solve the former, potentially at the expense of the latter.

The brand looks set to bring its rollable display technology to the world of the best gaming laptops in 2026, as reported by Windows Latest. First debuted on the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Rollable earlier this year, the brand has developed an expandable screen that can extend at just the push of a button. The only difference on this proposed Legion rig, is that screen runs horizontally into a full ultrawide experience.

That means you're maintaining the 16:9 aspect ratio that many machines have abandoned in the last few years in efforts to squeeze as much screen space into as compact a footprint as possible. Say goodbye to black lines, and hello to full fields of view.

That's the concept anyway. So far, gaming laptop brands like Asus, Razer, and Alienware have all opted for larger 18-inch machines to provide a more immersive gaming experience in a clamshell design. What happens when you go all in on screen size, though? You lose the portability that you bought the gaming laptop for in the first place.

These larger rigs are generally well over 3kg, rarely fit in more comfortable backpacks, and are best stuck on a desk.

And yet it looks like the rumored rollable Legion is still a larger gal. Images shared by Windows Latest point to the machine existing as an 18-incher, with even more screen space to unfurl. Of course, I'm only basing this guess on the fact that there's a pretty decently spaced full-sized keyboard on early product images, a hallmark of the bigger machine. It's an easy starting point, but really it's the 14-inch market that's crying out for this kind of versatility.

Gaming laptops are only just starting to get a handle on their battery consumption, and the vast majority still need to be in close quarters with a power outlet. The 18-inch form factor even more so. Not only that, but the original ThinkBook Plus Rollable tanked its own battery life with that larger screen. It's unlikely the Legion will win any endurance awards.

Right now we've got rumors of a chunkier model with an ultrawide display whenever we need it, and an Intel Core Ultra processor. With a few years of evolution under its belt, I'm hopeful Lenovo can produce the gaming laptop we actually need. A 14-inch, compact machine that can extend its screen when required without dropping the battery too much. A girl can dream.

If the rumors above are true, we could well see more from the rollable Legion at CES next year. It's also worth keeping an eye on the best Asus gaming laptops and best Alienware laptops in January, as well as the best Razer laptops.

Microsoft technically just turned most Windows 11 handhelds into an Xbox, and that includes the Lenovo Legion Go S. That's because its shiny new Full Screen Experience is now available on other portable PCs, and the free upgrade means I'd actually consider picking one up while it's cheaper for Black Friday.

I should stress that if you want a Lenovo Legion Go S for less and don't remotely care about easy access to Xbox perks like Game Pass, you'll want to stick with the SteamOS version. It's $449.99 at Best Buy right now, and it'll feel almost like a larger Steam Deck. Those of you who do need that extra level of PC storefront versatility will want to jump on the Windows 11 version while it's down to $579.99 at Amazon, though, especially given its new handheld mode.

Having already put the "Full Screen Experience" through its paces while testing the ROG Xbox Ally X, I do think it gives Windows 11 portables a better chance on the best gaming handheld battlefield. It largely addresses usability using a controller, and ditches the traditional desktop in favor of something more like a console interface.

It's basically a response to Valve's SteamOS, which has effectively allowed handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED to flourish and sets the stage for the upcoming Steam Machine console alternative. Microsoft sat on its handheld optimizations for a while, which is why many of my reviews are critical of the operating system, but the experience will be much slicker now that the perks are available to other portables.

Of course, you're still talking $130 of a difference between the SteamOS and Windows 11 versions, so the former is a better deal on paper. Keep in mind that the Xbox Full Screen experience is pretty much just a refined version of the existing PC app with a few extra menus to accommodate specific handheld settings and controller-friendly functions for closing and launching games.

Deciding between the two actually comes down to whether you value Windows 11's original advantage - compatibility. As much as I love SteamOS, its Linux foundations mean it's not going to run everything guaranteed, whereas Microsoft's OS will technically handle everything your rig can, provided you meet system requirements. That translates to having access to every storefront you can think of, like the Epic Game Store, Game Pass, and GOG, without any workarounds or third-party installs.

That's not to say the SteamOS version can't also tap into these storefronts, but performance can vary, and you will need to jerry-rig some apps to work with its Wine Linux compatibility layer. Using Windows 11 saves you from caring about any of that, and while having to use a desktop environment would have previously been a con, the new Xbox handheld mode makes playing and installing more of a console-like experience.

I should highlight that if you want a fully fledged Microsoft console experience, the white ROG Xbox Ally is $599.99. For $30 more, you're getting controls that feel more like a controller thanks to the back grips and a dedicated Xbox button, but you'll be trading adjustable triggers and a larger 8-inch 1200p screen for Asus' 7-inch 1080p panel. You're actually still getting virtually the same specs between the two since they're both using a Ryzen Z2 APU, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, and both now have the Full Screen Experience.

I'm still not entirely happy with the state of handheld prices in 2025, and if I'm being real with you, I'd still keep a close eye on Black Friday Steam Deck deals. I do think a few of you out there will want to check out the Windows 11 Legion Go S while it's at its lowest, though, and those of you with a big Steam backlog can still fall back to the Valve-flavored model for under $500.

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Getting serious about the sales? Check out Black Friday retro deals for classic consoles and handhelds. For display discounts, you'll want to peek at Black Friday gaming monitor deals and Black Friday 120Hz 4K TV deals for panel price cuts as they land.

There's no doubt about it, Lenovo makes gaming laptops that just feel good to use. The latest Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 is no different, combining a punchy OLED display with one of the most comfortable keyboards I've used on a rig yet.

The latest mid-ranger has a few issues with its price, especially when looking at the cheaper RTX 5060 configuration against the rest of the market, and doesn't quite out-perform those less expensive options. However, with a slimline design, slick aesthetic, and incredibly satisfying experience there's certainly value in here for some.

Without the budget price of the cheapest machines or the component spread of the best gaming laptops, though, the Legion 7i is a more niche recommendation.

Configurations

There are only a couple of Lenovo Legion 7 models up for grabs, with the RTX 5070 configuration proving most prevalent on the shelves. This top-end model packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 32GB RAM and most come with a 1TB SSD. You can add a second storage stick, which adds a little extra to the final price, but otherwise this is a fairly strict set of components to choose from.

I'm testing the cheaper alternative. This is an Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX machine with an RTX 5060 GPU. I'm expecting solid 1080p framerates and passable QHD+ framerates at high settings. Thankfully, both the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 versions come packed with 32GB RAM.

We're more constricted here compared to the top end of the market, and the price is a little higher than the lower mid-range. The HP Omen Max 16 comes with an Intel Core Ultra 277HX and RTX 5060 for $2,299.99 / £2,399.99, but can also be pushed all the way to an RTX 5090.

Meanwhile, opting for the cheaper Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 can net you the same specs as the Legion 7 for around $1,400 with the extra room to downgrade to an RTX 5050 for $1,119.99.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI also offers a lower price and slightly more flexibility, with the same Intel Core Ultra 255HX / RTX 5060 model sitting at $1,599.99 and extra space to move up to an RTX 5070 Ti with 64GB RAM.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 also technically undercuts the Lenovo with its own Intel Core i5-13450HX / RTX 5060 configuration sitting at $1,799.99, but that's with far less RAM, a less powerful processor, and WiFi 6E.

I tested this exact spec in an Alienware 16X Aurora last month, and that machine is roughly $400 cheaper than Lenovo's (albeit with a lower quality display).

Design

The tenth generation Lenovo Legion 7i doesn't stray too far from its ancestors or siblings. This is still a relatively slimline machine that walks the line between power and portability, while erring slightly on the side of the former.

Things are a little more sophisticated than the cheaper Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10, though. Both are aluminum machines, but this step up gives you a neat brushed effect on the outer perimeter of the main base and that super clean white aesthetic. Of course, it's down to personal taste, but I always prefer gadgets that step away from the boring black designs of previous years.

In white, the Lenovo Legion 7i certainly stands out from the crowd. It feels more impressive, with that glossy Legion logo standing a little taller and the RGB lighting under each key shining a little brighter. There's a premium feel to a white aesthetic that other designs can't quite seem to match.

The HP Omen Max 16 exemplified this pzazz earlier in the year, and does look similar to the Legion with its slimline bezels, full-sized keyboard, and simplistic iconography. That may be my go-to deck, but I do prefer the form factor and build of the Legion 7i.

The keyboard, for one, suffers from none of the flex of HP's machine. This is a sturdy set of keys set into a brick of a chassis. There's also a slightly harsher design language going on here. While the Omen has softer rounded corners, the Legion goes for hard lines. It makes for a slicker appearance overall.

Ignoring that color, though, everything is built similarly to previous models and the Legion 5 it sits next to. The logo has been shifted from the corner to the center of the lid, and the hinge is upgraded compared to the cheaper alternative, but we're still well within Lenovo's playbook here. Everything looks and feels fantastic as a result.

Display

Lenovo has slapped the OLED display that earned the Legion 5 the 'best value' title on its more expensive model, and it looks like this is a slightly more sophisticated screen. I've been noticing a lot less glare on this device across my more recent testing period, and both colors and details still manage to pop with impressive vividity.

It's slightly brighter and punchier than the display on the HP Omen Max 16, and still manages to keep up with a 240Hz refresh rate. There's also a slightly more dynamic appeal to darker shades compared to the Legion 5, though the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI deals with these lowlights better overall.

Alienware falls significantly short in its own match up, without an OLED panel the Lenovo Legion 7i runs away with the medal offering far better contrast and a greater level of detailing.

Ports

Lenovo has slimmed right down on its ports compared to the competition. With only two USB-A ports, it's less versatile than the best Asus gaming laptops, has fewer connections than Acer's latest Helios, and even sits behind its own sibling, with the Legion 5 offering three USB-As.

It doesn't make up for this drop with USB-C offerings. Yes, you've got Thunderbolt 4 here (and you won't need a Thunderbolt 5 for display use if you're running an RTX 5060 or RTX 5070), but it's only accompanied by one other USB-C.

That does mean the sides are kept relatively clear, though any wired accessories you plug straight in will need to take that left USB-A slot to avoid knocking into your mouse hand (or right for lefties). Thankfully, both USB-C options are nestled on the left as well.

More permanent power and HDMI ports are reserved for the rear, which keeps things nice and tidy when connected to a more permanent desk setup.

Keyboard and trackpad

Typing on the Lenovo Legion 7i is a glorious experience. This is a premium keyboard, with soft keycaps that feel incredibly comfortable under the fingertips, a snappy, flex-free base, and well-spaced, full-sized caps across the main deck (including arrow keys). There's a number pad (with half-sized caps) up for grabs as well.

This is far superior to the typing experience on gaming laptops even double Legion 7i's price, and definitely one of the main draws for anyone who's going to be writing for longer periods of time.

The trackpad is equally slick, with a tight force click and smooth surface for swipes and gestures.

Performance

The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 performs at a similar level to the cheaper Legion 5. Both were benchmarked with RTX 5060 GPUs at the helm, though the latter ran on an older Intel i7-13650HX processor for testing.

3D Mark scores show that slight drop in performance compared to the chunkier Alienware 16X Aurora, which is to be expected, but I was surprised to see the Legion 7 at the bottom of the pack for the more demanding Steel Nomad run. These are still sturdy numbers, but there is a sacrifice to that thinner form factor compared to the best Alienware laptops.

While the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 falls behind other similar models in synthetic benchmarks, though, it soars in 1080p game tests - even nudging ahead of the RTX 5070 Asus ROG G16 in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. It does drop behind this more premium GPU in more demanding tests, but still manages to hold its own with three-figure results in Total War: Three Kingdoms, and a sturdy 70fps in Cyberpunk RT Medium and 62fps at RT Ultra. It does, however, slip underneath the Legion 5 in this run, though only very slightly.

In full QHD, the Legion 7i still manages to hold onto the top spot in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but trades places with the Alienware 16X Aurora in more demanding Cyberpunk trials. We're comfortably below a solid 60fps here, whereas the Legion 5 was surprisingly a little closer to the goalposts. It does, however, beat Alienware in Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered and Total War: Three Kingdoms runs, even inching just ahead of the RTX 5070 Asus in top settings.

Battery

Battery is a struggle point for the Legion 7. This machine isn't built for hybrid work / play, that much is obvious from the two hours and 39 minutes I managed to get out of it when working on a single spreadsheet with RGB off and display brightness at 50%.

The machine ran for one hour and 51 minutes in Balanced mode, before auto-kicking to Energy saver for the final 48 minutes of power. That's below the four - six hours you can expect from other gaming laptops in their most power efficient settings.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10?

The Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 is a lovely device to use, it's just hamstrung in a few too many use-cases. You should absolutely be considering this option if you want to run all your favorite games in 1080p, or lower settings 1600p, and you also find yourself typing for longer sessions regularly, you should absolutely be considering the Legion 7. Its keyboard and display are a notch above the Legion 5, even if its performance isn't topping the charts.

If you need a device to keep up with you while you work on the go, this ain't it. The battery life and larger footprint means this is an at-home device for the most-part, or at least portable to another power outlet. On the flip side, those looking to chase the highest framerates possible in QHD+, or thinking about running their titles on a 4K monitor, will need something with configurations a few more rungs up the GPU latter.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10

I used the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 for all daily work and play, both docked into a monitor setup and solely on the desk, for two weeks. My own roster of games had me testing Doom: The Dark Ages and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on the machine, with dedicated in-game benchmarks across 1080p and 1600p in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered. I also tested in synthetic benchmark tests across 3D Mark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad.

For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also testing for all the best Razer laptops, but if you're after something a different form factor, check out the best gaming PCs and best gaming handhelds on the market.

The Lenovo Legion 5 is the best value gaming laptop I've tested in 2025, with a price tag that feels ludicrously low considering its OLED panel. Those numbers are falling even further this weekend, with discounts from both Lenovo and Newegg offering record-low prices on AMD and Intel configurations of one of the best gaming laptops on the market.

Both of these deals sit on the RTX 5060 model, a solid lower mid-range spec that will see you flying through 1080p gameplay as well as lighter QHD+ experiences. The cheapest is on Lenovo's own AMD Ryzen 7 spec, dropping its $1,534.99 MSRP for a $1,149.99 sales price for the first time. The next comes from Newegg, with an Intel i7 model dropping to $1,189.99 (was $1,299.99).

I've been watching those rates like a hawk since I first reviewed this model earlier in the year, and they've never fallen this far. In fact, with last week's Prime Day offers they were dancing around slightly higher positions just a few days ago. Now, though, this machine is a steal.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 5?

So why is the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 such good value?

In short, its RTX 5060 configuration has enough guts to see you through the vast majority of your library while also casting it all on a high-end OLED display you just don't see on gaming laptops in this price range.

There's just one give away that you've spent less than you would on a Razer Blade 16, here, though. That screen does reflect quite a lot of glare. I only ever noticed it when testing during straight daylight conditions, though, and it was pretty easy to get past considering all the cash you've saved in your back pocket. With house lights off and RGBs in action, this is just as good a viewing experience as machines double the price. As as aside, the Blade 16 is also on sale right now, but you'll be shelling out a whole $1,799.99 for an RTX 5060 configuration.

Not only that, but this machine looks and feels like it costs a lot more as well. A sophisticated chassis design, understated, almost slimline, form factor, and solid build quality make quite the impression. Plus, you're getting plenty of ports under the hood as well.

I managed to bench the Legion 5 at 28,520 in Fire Strike, 12,199 in Time Spy, and 2,800 in Steel Nomad. That was running an RTX 5060 configuration like those featured above, but with an older 13th generation Intel i7 processor.

The machine easily outpaced previous generation RTX 4060 gaming laptops, and traded places with RTX 4070 rigs in some tests as well.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Newegg
• Lenovo Legion 5 RTX 5060 | $1,534.99 $1,149.99 at Lenovo
• Razer Blade 16 RTX 5060 | $2,399.99 $1,799.99 at Razer

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I'll cut straight to the chase. Lenovo has just shaved $235 off the final price of an RTX 5060 Legion 5 Gen 10 gaming laptop. You may think that's a smaller saving on a mid-range configuration that was already fairly decently priced, and you'd be right. But you'd also be missing that gorgeous OLED display.

The whole machine is down to $1,299.99 at Lenovo right now (was $1,534.99). That's significantly cheaper than most OLED gaming laptops, and far more affordable than the luxury devices that have typically reserved these panel types for themselves. The best gaming laptops with these displays are usually well over $1,500.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10?

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 featured here does have some drawbacks. Those looking to push framerates as far as possible would do better with a machine that can stretch up to an RTX 5070 or RTX 5080, and the OLED panel installed is a little more reflective than you'll find in more high-end devices.

Still, the RTX 5060 put up a good fight against the previous generation in my benchmarks, and managed to stay well over 60fps even in Cyberpunk RT Ultra at 1080p. More demanding games will need some DLSS frame generation magic to stay over that threshold in QHD+ resolution, but can easily hit three-figures in lighter titles.

That's all wrapped up in a nicely sophisticated-looking chassis. The simple matte black finish keeps things sleek and the fairly slimline profile makes it easily portable as well.

Considering you'd need to spend $2,399.99 to pick up a similar configuration of the Razer Blade 16 Lenovo has value in the bag this week.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Lenovo
• Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 (RTX 5060) | $1,534.99 $1,299.99 at Lenovo

Check out the best gaming PCs for more desk-based options, or take a look at the best gaming handhelds on the market right now.

The Lenovo Legion line has been booming in recent years, pumping out some of the best gaming laptops on the market.

This generation brings high-end displays to the mid-range with the Lenovo Legion 5, as well as a set of affordable components working their hardest to provide a smooth gaming experience to go alongside those panels. You’re not paying Razer Blade or Asus ROG prices here, but you could have fooled me.

Configurations

I wasn’t sent the most widely available configuration of the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10. This 15-incher is available with everything from a 13th generation Intel processor all the way through to AMD’s AI powerhouses. For the cash, I’d avoid picking up the Intel i7-13650HX configuration I have (it’s incredibly difficult to actually find on the shelves and doesn’t represent good value compared to newer models). However, there’s enough variety in here to give this affordable machine some serious versatility.

Keeping those Nvidia graphics card options limited puts this machine firmly in the mid-range category, with the RTX 5070 offering the best sweet spot between price and performance. However, the RTX 5060 inside my test unit can still battle with the big’uns, especially if you’re happy dialling some graphical settings back or relying on frame generation tech.

Design

The Lenovo Legion 5 looks and feels like a far more expensive gaming laptop. Taking its design cues from some of the best Razer laptops in its uniform black design, while borrowing a little from the best Asus gaming laptops in its raised camera bezel and compact form factor. There’s even a little Alienware in here, with a very short shelf to the rear.

My unit is jet black, with only the slightest hint of its gaming roots. An embossed ‘Legion’ logo on the top lid will hint at your machine’s true purpose, but there’s none of the gaudy stamps and text you’ll find on most cheap rigs here. Instead, this is a subtle, laid back design with a slimline, but still nicely softened overall chassis shape.

That, plus the darker Eclipse Black colorway, means the Legion 5 presents as a far more luxurious device than previous iterations. Yes, fingerprints show up (particularly on the top of the lid) almost immediately, but they don’t stick around past a quick wipe.

The entire device is constructed from aluminum, with a dense, solid feel. There’s a little flex to the top lid, though less than you’ll find in a cheaper plastic chassis, and the palm rest maintains its rigidity nicely when held as well.

Display

I was surprised by the potency of this OLED display. For a machine that can cost just over $1,000 if you play your cards right, this is a seriously impressive panel. Colors pop beautifully, with deep rich blues and vibrant warmer tones shining equally. At 165Hz it’s among the faster OLED displays in this price bracket (if you do find a similar model it’s likely to drop you down to 120Hz or 144Hz), especially considering you’re getting the full QHD+ resolution.

The panel itself is a little smaller than you’ll find on most gaming laptops in this class. I haven’t reviewed a 15-inch gaming laptop for quite some time, but we’re still at the more modern 16:10 aspect ratio here. Instead, this is a halfway house between smaller 14-inch rigs and less portable 16-inch models. It means you’re still getting plenty of screen space for immersive gaming and productivity multitasking, but without the extra bulk of something like the Razer Blade 16.

Razer still holds the crown for the best display I’ve used on a gaming laptop, and there’s no beating the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s 4K beast, but at this price range you can’t get much better.

There is one drawback, and it reminds me of the HP Omen Transcend 14. There’s some serious screen glare at play here. With the curtains drawn, there’s no issue (making this implementation far more manageable than HP’s), but as soon as a drop of sunlight hits this screen, it’s reflecting it straight back at me.

Ports

That compact form factor and lower price doesn’t mean you’re skimping out on connections. By contrast, the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 offers a fantastic selection of ports to keep you both in the game and working hard.

These are mostly split across the left and right of the machine, and it’s regrettable that both USB-A ports are placed on the right (where your mouse is likely to sit), which can get annoying pretty quickly. However, you’re getting two USB-Cs on the left, both with DisplayPort 2.1 and one with Power Delivery from 65-100W and a third ‘always-on’ USB-A here as well.

There’s even an RJ45 Ethernet port, an addition many more expensive machines drop in this smaller form factor (the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 doesn’t afford this luxury and can cost three times as much).

I’m also pleased that there is some rear port action going on here. Both the power and HDMI connections are kept to the back of the device, to allow these more permanent connections to stay out of your way when on a desk.

Keyboard and trackpad

You’re getting a full keyboard here, numpad and all, which surprised me when I first lifted the lid. This isn’t even a full 16-inch screen size, and even many of those larger rigs drop the additional buttons. It’s a little crammed, with only a sliver of space between the edge of the keys and the laptop, but everything still feels nicely spaced in the main deck area at least. After all, while the number pad uses half-sized caps, we’ve got a full arrow key section rather than the tiny nubs you’ll sometimes see on alternatives.

Keyboard action is light and springy, though nowhere near as satisfying as more premium options from Razer. There’s some considerable flex to the main area when pushed heavily, though nothing when typing casually. Compared to snappier switches, things can feel a little heavy on the debounce but longer typing sessions and faster repeat presses still stay comfortable and responsive.

The trackpad is shifted slightly to the left, and requires a firmer push than others (if you don’t like relying on taps), but remains smooth to glide over and is nicely sensitive to lighter touches. It’s large enough to keep you from spilling over into the palm rest, without getting in the way during typing sessions.

Performance

This is the first RTX 5060 gaming laptop I’ve tested, but the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 still puts up a fantastic fight. There’s a real generational upgrade in its 3D Mark scores compared to the RTX 4060 Asus TUF A15 and Asus TUF A14 that populated a similar price point last year, while the RTX 4050 Acer Nitro V 14 that only sits $100 below the Legion comes up remarkably short compared to these numbers.

Time Spy presents a harder challenge for the Legion’s RTX 5060 compared to Fire Strike, and it’s here that the HP Omen 17 and the RTX 4070 configuration I tested starts to sneak ahead. It’s also worth noting that my more premium comparison, the RTX 5070 Asus ROG G16 takes the win in all tests, as is to be expected from a machine that costs an extra $1,000. There’s an 11% difference in performance between these two RTX 50-Series machines in Steel Nomad (the hardest test).

In-game, things get a little interesting. The RTX 5060 is still alive and well here, offering solid performance across both lighter and more demanding games, but there’s something else going on as well. Interestingly, the RTX 4060 inside the Asus TUF A14 is still out in front across FHD benchmarks in Shadow of the Tomb Raider though things do calm down when harder QHD+ tests come into practice. Fewer budget gaming laptops ramp up to this resolution, so my comparison pool is a little more limited.

However, while we’re still comfortably behind the Asus ROG G16’s RTX 5070 performance, there’s a greater uplift compared to the RTX 4060 here.

Zooming out, the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 performs well across more demanding titles in its full native resolution. The RTX 5060 is still a more affordable GPU, so you’ll need to tweak some settings to hit a reliable 60fps in more extreme titles, though it’s certainly doable in the majority of today’s games at High presets. To push things a little further, there’s always DLSS 4, which I used to push my Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark from 34fps in RT Ultra and Quality SR up to 188fps.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10?

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 offers a solid blend of affordability and grunt. The RTX 5060 version I tested can handle lighter games without breaking a sweat, and will take on larger challenges with a few settings tweaks to maintain 60fps. With that performance comfortably under its belt, the chassis and display really are the shining stars here.

You’d usually have to pay a considerable premium to pick up a gaming laptop with this kind of screen. Sure, there are some reflection issues that are solved in more expensive models but the overall value is still looking strong. If you’re after a gaming laptop for work or school, this is a sleek, portable machine that can still hold its own when the RGB comes on at the end of the day.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10

I used the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 as my primary laptop for both work and play over the course of three weeks. I used the machine by itself for two of those weeks, and spent one week with the rig connected to an external monitor setup. I primarily played Doom: The Dark Ages and Tiny Bookshop, while also performing dedicated benchmark tests in both 1080p and 1600p across both high and highest graphical settings.

Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, and Black Myth Wukong were all tested in this way. I then performed synthetic benchmark tests using 3D Mark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad. For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

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It pains me to say it, but the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally could end up finding itself upstaged by the Lenovo Legion Go. Its beefier 'X' counterpart is a different kettle of fish entirely, but if we're talking solely about the cheapest version of the Asus and Microsoft collab, it could struggle to fight the 2023 portable on price and performance.

Keep in mind that I'll need to benchmark the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and see an MSRP before knowing how it ranks against the best gaming handhelds. However, based on what I already know about its specs, grabbing the Lenovo Legion Go for $499 at Amazon could result in you obtaining a more powerful device for potentially less.

Before you reach for your digital pitchfork, let me dive into some specs comparisons. The ROG Xbox Ally is set to feature 16GB RAM and 512GB storage paired with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A chipset. On paper, that specific APU is less punchy than the Legion Go's Ryzen Z1 Extreme since it's armed with 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8 RDNA 2 graphics cores.

Keep in mind that the Ryzen Z1 Extreme boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, accompanied by 12 GPU RDNA 3 units. Not only are we looking at a higher core count compared to the Z2 A, but there's also a generation difference here that puts it in a different ring. It's actually closer in specs to the custom RDNA 2 chip within the Steam Deck OLED, and that should result in a similar frame rate gap.

Testing the newer Lenovo Legion Go S has already set my expectations for the low end of the Ryzen Z2 performance scale. While you'd maybe expect newer APUs to outpace the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, the 'A' and 'Go' chipsets are really designed to keep costs down and provide efficiency. Simply put, these are APUs that are designed to target players who'd normally buy the cheapest Steam Deck.

Of course, raw specs only tell half a story, and higher frame rates shouldn't solely sell you on a Legion Go over the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally. Despite its higher frame rates, larger 8.8-inch 144Hz QHD display, and detachable controllers, I'd rather use the Steam Deck to play games on the go. That's largely because Lenovo's TrueStrike pads are a bit clunky compared to Valve's, and this is something that's been remedied with the Legion Go S.

If the ROG Xbox Ally ends up being a cheaper alternative to the Asus ROG Ally that boasts nicer controls for the same price as a base Steam Deck, that's going to help it keep beefier handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go at bay. Plus, these fresh chipsets could end up stretching the portable's 60Whr battery much further than previous-gen devices.

That said, the benefits sort of end with the physical side of things, as both the ROG Xbox Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go are going to end up with the same console-flavored UI. Microsoft's answer to SteamOS and Big Picture Mode is actually going to come to all Windows 11 devices, meaning there will technically be more than two "Xbox handhelds" out there later this year.

Ultimately, it's going to be the ROG Xbox Ally's price that decides whether the Legion Go is worth grabbing instead for under $500. If the Microsoft-flavored handheld ends up costing more, it's going to be a hard sell compared to Lenovo's contender, even if it scores points for nicer controllers and longer battery life.

Considering the OG Ally still goes for $649.99 outside of discounts, it's hard to envision the new Xbox version coming in at much less. There's also a chance that the flagship Xbox Ally X will end up using the same MSRP as its vanilla Asus ROG Ally X counterpart, and that sort of structure could make the Legion Go a better value option.

Already got Valve's portable? Swing by the best Steam Deck dock and best Steam Deck accessories for handy add-ons. Alternatively, take a peek at where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 for something console-flavored.

The Lenovo Legion R27qe is a testament to how far affordable gaming monitors have come. For under $200, this 27-inch 1440p display will provide your eyeballs with 180Hz visuals and a 0.5ms GtG response time paired with respectable colors. Yes, there are some caveats tied to its lower price, but I’m rooting for this screen since it’s offering up higher specs for players in need of a cheaper panel.

At full price, the Lenovo Legion R27qe will set you back $199 / $199, which gives it an edge as a best gaming monitor contender. It’s not going to make any of the top 1440p options out there, like the Sony Inzone M10S or Samsung Odyssey OLED G6, sweat, but its QHD 180Hz abilities could sway anyone looking at budget 1080p options in line with the Koorui GN02.

Simply put, the Legion R27qe offers that bit more panel pizazz than other 1440p models in its price range right now. I’m fully aware that Amazon brands can sometimes put models like this to shame by hitting a much lower MSRP, and there are some options by the likes of Koorui out there that are gunning for a similar market. But, from where I’m sitting, Lenovo’s panel feels like the better fit, especially since it pulls respectable punches when it comes to competitive shenanigans.

Design

Out of the box, I do have an immediate gripe with the Lenovo Legion R27qe. The v-shaped pedestal stand is pretty similar to its more expensive Legion Y34wz-30 sibling, featuring a wireframe aesthetic that gives industrial vibes. The differences lie with how the pedestal fits to the panel, as you’ll have to use thumb screws rather than a clip-to-fit. The drawback serves as a reminder that we’re dealing with a sub-$200 gaming monitor, but even some of the cheapest screens I’ve tested use a clip system, so price isn’t a valid excuse.

What I am pleased to see included is height, tilt, and pivot functionality. You’d be surprised how many screens in this price range dodge this, and it can save you from adding risers to your gaming desk that you don’t necessarily need or want. The Legion R27qe also has you covered with some basic cable management provisions too via a hole in the pedestal that feeds to the IO lip round back, which, in honesty, is all that even premium screens like the Alienware AW2725Q have to offer.

Round the back, you’re talking about a fairly basic approach that dresses up the typical IPS display hump with angles. It’s actually not the chonkiest screen I’ve used, but it’s still got a bit more heft than OLED alternatives. I’m not super keen on when ports are placed under a lip since it makes quickly plugging things in a pain from the front, but it’s somewhat excusable when a screen is trying to minimize thickness.

One thing I do love about cheap monitors is that they often skip using those annoying joystick nubs for the OSD. The Lenovo Legion R27qe follows this trend by using five separate toggles for input, navigation, activating the menu, and power. I normally find that it’s easier to get to grips with this sort of system than a fiddly directional stick that will taunt you with mispresses and weirdly mapped shortcuts.

Features

Compared to more expensive screens, the Legion R27qe doesn’t offer much in the way of physical features. I’m not surprised by that, and even more expensive models sometimes skimp, but it’s worth keeping that in mind before jumping on Lenovo’s affordable panel. If you like the idea of having a USB hub and potentially even Power Delivery abilities that will help serve as a Steam Deck dock, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

All of the Legion R27qe's main features are software-based. Lenovo’s panel will provide you with DisplayHDR 400 certification and VESA Certified Adaptive Sync, which are admittedly becoming commonplace across the gaming monitor board. Naturally, the screen’s 180Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time and a selling point too when paired with its price tag, even if it’s far from being the fastest out there overall.

Performance

IPS panels can really shine compared to VA and TN models, and the Lenovo Legion R27qe lives up to that. The display pulls off respectable colors and contrast that aren’t that far behind mini LED models but are going to feel lacking when it comes to HDR. Not really a shocker since smaller screens like this do tend to boast lower brightness, and you’ll be dealing with 450 nits peak.

Before I get into my time actually playing games on the R27qe, there are a couple of things you’ll notice from the get-go. The first is the matte screen can’t quite bat away glare enough to survive next to a bright window, and I ended up having to adjust my blinds to avoid aggressive reflections. I did have to crank up the brightness to max to offset this a little, which did help somewhat, but you’ll ideally want to use this screen in a light-controlled area.

HDR isn’t actually terrible on this display, with the setting producing some decent results in the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. Compared to SDR, the jump isn’t remotely wild, but Night City’s neon-soaked streets do boast a more realistic glow. The display has a respectable color gamut, 99% sRGB, and 90% DCI-P3, so that really helps High Dynamic Range come through despite lower panel brightness.

I’ve been replaying DOOM on and off ahead of The Dark Ages - a shooter that feels like a nice benchmark for darker worlds that benefit from better contrast. The menacingly red plains of Mars are more subtle on the R27qe than higher-spec OLED and mini LED models, but it still avoids portraying the hellscape as washed out. I’d go as far as to say that the colors are pretty respectable for an IPS panel, especially one at this low a price point. I did struggle a bit with viewing angles, though, as I immediately noticed dark spots whenever I shimmied even slightly away from center.

27 inches feels like a nice size match for 1440p, and the R27qe avoids appearing too soft at native resolution. Pixel density measures almost the same as the Alienware AW2725DF at 109ppi, but the pricey QD-OLED panel does a lot of heavy lifting to help give the premium model a definite edge. That’s not to say Lenovo’s budget-friendly option looks bad, but it’s certainly easy to see where your money is going when switching to a traditional IPS display with LED backlights.

I’ve spent a lot of time this year using Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a test game, so I thought it’d be handy to run through the intro and do a bit of monitor benchmark sightseeing. The blue hues of the cityscape are a little more muted but not anywhere near as much as I thought they’d be on a cheap IPS panel. Contrast is lacking, which in turn reduces the depth I’ve felt when walking within Bioware’s fantasy world, but I’ve not got any major gripes.

I usually end up playing Overwatch 2 at some point during monitor testing, and I’ve played the shooter a bunch in competitive matches using the R27qe. It’s safe to say 180Hz isn’t exactly speed demon levels of refresh rate, but hey, it’s still faster than average and is noticeably slicker than 144Hz. What I was really looking for was whether it could maintain that speed reliably, and I’m pleased to report that it managed to keep Pharah flying at a consistent velocity. Did I downrank a little compared to playing at 240Hz and above? Perhaps, but the slight difference in responsiveness was probably less of a factor than just me getting my butt whooped.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion R27qe?

For under $200, the Lenovo Legion R27qe serves as a solid 1440p monitor with some cost-cutting caveats. The drawbacks are all naturally tied to its cheaper IPS panel, but the display does punch above its price weight by offering up reliable 180Hz visuals that are respectably vibrant and sharp enough at 27 inches. You won’t be getting any fancy feature thrills with this screen, but that’s absolutely fine since you’ll have everything else to hand for some neat QHD gaming sessions.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion R27qe

For two weeks, I tested the Lenovo Legion R27qe as part of my gaming PC setup, putting it to work displaying games like Cyberpunk 2077, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, DOOM, and Overwatch 2. Those sessions enabled me to fully test the monitor’s refresh rate and resolution abilities while assessing brightness, contrast, and HDR. I also took note of physical traits like height adjustability and design elements so as to compare them to different models both within its price range and beyond.

For more information on how we test gaming monitors, swing by our full GamesRadar+ Hardware policy.

As I sit looking at my morbid Lenovo Legion Go S review notes, I’m practically grieving for what the gaming handheld could have been. The laptop maker firmly had my attention when it first announced that it was cooking up a $499 SteamOS version that’d take on the mighty Steam Deck with a Ryzen Z2 Go chip. Yes, all that has still technically to come, but I feel like launching the Windows 11 model first has already hampered its cheap contender’s success.

By freeing the Lenovo Legion Go S from the gimmicky removable controllers and needlessly large screen, the company has created the device I wanted back in 2023. Had I ended up testing the SteamOS version first, I’d likely be about to dive into one of the next best gaming handheld options. Instead, I’m looking at a device that has unbalanced specs, plenty of Windows 11 caveats, and a dreadful $729 price tag. That inflated MSRP is actually tied to a weird specific US decision to only sell the 32GB / 1TB version, as those of you in the UK can pick up the 16GB / 512GB model for £549. Hmm.

Even the base model is more than what I’d want to pay now that I’ve tested the Lenovo Legion Go S. In a nutshell, its new AMD Ryzen Z2 GO chip shares more similarities with the custom chip in the Steam Deck OLED than the Ryzen Z1 Extreme within the OG Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with that, but if I’m being real, you can’t slap a premium price tag on a handheld wrestling within the sub $400 ring.

Design

Let me make one thing clear – the Lenovo Legion Go S gets almost full marks for design. It almost feels like someone listened to me moan about the original’s laptop vibes, as this model packs an 8-inch IPS display into a much sleeker package. Gone are the removable TrueStrike controllers, aggressive angles, and smooth plastics of the OG portable. Instead, we have plenty of ergonomic curves, pleasing grippy texturized sides, and far nicer buttons than last time around.

It’d be weird if the ‘S’ Legion Go didn’t weigh less, but I’m pleased to report it’s 740g (1.63lbs). That’s a noticeable difference compared to the 854g (1.88lbs) weighing down the original, even if it’s still a chonker compared to the 580g Asus ROG Ally. Shifting the heat naturally helps the handheld feel nicer to hold, especially when paired with a slimmer back and more pronounced grips.

The main thing that gave me the ick with the original Legion Go was how hollow the back felt. It’s a design choice that’s often the result of cooling techniques, and while the S model also has big vent grills at the back, there’s far less space between the innards and shell. Perhaps I’m being picky, but I like handhelds to feel pretty compacted, and this new version feels just as solid as the ROG Ally in that regard.

I’d argue that the biggest improvement to be found with the Legion Go S is on the gamepad side of things. Lenovo has gone back to the drawing board with all of its buttons, resulting in more tactile thumbsticks, a drastically improved circular d-pad, a thoughtfully placed set of back toggles, and decent shoulder buttons. The only element that’s still not quite to my liking is the shallower-than-average face buttons, but even those are pretty serviceable and not what I’d call a deal breaker.

You’ll perhaps have noticed that I said the Legion Go S almost gets the design right. That’s largely because I’m a little miffed at the tiny touchpad that’s included for mouse inputs. The sensation of using this thing is a bit like the little keyboard nipple included with classic IBM Thinkpads, and that’s sort of amusing since Lenovo now owns that brand. Simply put, the pad is so small that moving the handheld’s cursor around Windows 11 is more frustrating than convenient, and I’d rather just use the joysticks to click around the OS when needed.

On the aesthetic front, the Legion Go S is rocking a new white shell with contrasting black buttons. The accents prevent it from looking too clinical, but you can bet this handheld will end up pretty grubby and prone to marks. That’s less a criticism of Lenovo’s newfound tastes and more a fact of owning lighter colored devices, and it could be another reason to wait for the “Nebula Violet” SteamOS version.

Features

Gaming handhelds and flamboyant features go hand in hand, and while the Legion Go S cuts back on gimmicks, it comes with a few new tricks. Some of its evolved elements feel a little lacklustre, like that comically small touchpad, but the new all-in-one design has allowed for an adjustable trigger system that adds a nice hint of versatility.

Lenovo isn’t first out the door with adjustable handheld triggers, that accolade goes to the Zotac Zone,but it’s a feature that will help make the system more comfortable for a bunch of players, including myself. Sometimes, clicky hair trigger presses are a much better fit and can save larger handhelds from feeling unbalanced in the hands, whereas I’ve got friends who can’t stand not having full action when playing shooters. I’d personally rather click shots in Cyberpunk 2077 and save full presses for racing games or scenarios that need sustained input, but everyone will have different tastes when it comes to portable play.

On the connectivity front, the Legion Go S is armed with two USB-C ports, which is slowly becoming a standard at this point. The idea here is that you’ll be able to charge up that chonky 55.5Whr battery while hooking up a gaming monitor using DisplayPort 1.4 output. I’m in two minds over whether this is actually useful, as you’re still going to want one of the best Steam Deck docks if you’re aiming for full integration with your desktop accessories, but it will mean you don’t need any add-ons out of the box for quickly hooking up to a gaming TV.

I can take an extra USB-C port, but I’ll absolutely leave features like a dual array built-in mic. Maybe I’m a grump who just has no friends to talk to, or maybe I’m just struggling to see why you’d use something like that over a gaming headset on a handheld. Either way, squeezing audio capture into a device like this feels like it’d impact the end cost, and I’d skip on it even if it only cut Lenovo’s MSRP down by a few dollars. Simply put, don’t stick needless extras in your handheld if it’s already sitting at a risky price point.

Technically, Windows 11 is also a “feature”, even if it’s one I think sours the experience. Perhaps that’s a bit harsh since we’re talking about an OS that’ll allow you to run practically any game your PC can, but it’s still nowhere near being handheld friendly, even with Lenovo’s LegionSpace app attempting to bridge gaps.

It doesn’t help that the version of Microsoft’s operating system installed feels immensely bloated and has some irritating tweaks enabled, like a taskbar that’ll auto-hide no matter what you tell it. Plus, vital elements like sleep mode are janky at best and unusable at worst, with the Legion Go S outright refusing to properly nap when plugged in. These flaws aren’t even just an inherent part of the Windows 11 handheld experience, as rivals like the Ayaneo Flip DS and other similar devices come with far less frustration before launching into games.

That’s not to say Lenovo isn’t trying to enhance its Windows 11 experience, and LegionSpace has come a long way since 2023. It still doesn’t do enough to stop me immediately launching into Steam Big Picture mode, and the side quick settings menu is unsettlingly temperamental and laggy. I’m also not a fan of Lenovo thrusting its digital game store in your face rather than providing a clearer hub. But, it’s pleasant enough to navigate when the itch to change RGB thumbstick colors or play with in-depth power settings arises.

Performance

Price and performance go hand in hand, and oh boy, the Legion Go S doesn’t punch like a $729 handheld. Frankly, launching into a new generation with the Ryzen Z2 Go was pretty foolish of Lenovo, as I knew it wouldn’t come close to matching the Z1 Extreme based on its specs. Now that I’ve taken the handheld for a proper spin, I can confidently say that it should be trading blows with the Steam Deck in the sub-$500 ring, as its benchmarks get bludgeoned to a pulp in the premium pit.

I kicked things off by running a few test games at 800p on the Legion Go S to see how it directly compares to the Steam Deck. The handheld managed at 45fps average while running Cyberpunk 2077 with low settings enabled, which isn’t atrocious at a glance. My issue is that it’s not a huge uplift compared to Valve’s handheld, as the Deck reaches 43fps in the same test scenario. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t smell like a $729 boost.

Hitman 3 still stresses out entry-level PCs to this day, so I always install it on new handhelds. The Legion Go S managed to nudge playable results by sticking to around 41fps at 800p. The Deck isn’t far behind with a 36fps average and, while it’s still a win for Lenovo, it’s not what I’d call a graceful victory.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider manages to fare well on the Legion Go S with a 70fps average – a nice lead compared to 53fps on the Deck. A nicer result, but one that’s worth paying over $300 more for? I don’t even have to say it. Keep in mind that these benchmarks are designed to squeeze the highest frame rates possible out of the handheld, and unplugging the system and using it at lower wattage naturally produces far lower results.

Stepping away from the Steam Deck fight and focusing on the Lenovo Legion Go S vs the original is even more harrowing. If my figures reaffirm anything, it’s that the new handheld is very much a light version of the OG, despite technically using a next-gen Ryzen APU. You’re looking at 25fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p versus 38fps on the 2023 model, and Hitman 3 widens the gap further with respective 34fps and 51fps results.

Not to pile on Lenovo’s device, but there is another huge issue with this handheld – it wields next-gen hardware without solving our current battery dilemma. I could look past Steam Deck-level frame rates if I could grab the Legion Go S for $400, but the closer I get to the $1,000 mark, the more I’m going to expect an fps boost with runtime to match. Not only are you not getting the same frame rates as the original Legion Go, but you’re only going to be cutting the cord for the same length of time as Valve’s portable.

In proper gameplay sessions, and with brightness sitting half way, the Legion Go S lasted around 1.5 hours. That was my average when exclusively adventuring around in new releases like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Avowed, but I managed to keep the portable running for around 3 hours when wrestling with Windows 11. You’ll realistically be looking at that latter figure if you set “Thermal Mode” to Balanced and mix up playing games with general use activities, which is similar to my experience with the Steam Deck OLED.

At this point, I feel like I’m bullying the Legion Go S, so I’ll touch on another con followed up with some praise. The first is that Lenovo’s handheld likes to get noisy, and its fans are noticeably louder than the Steam Deck OLED or the ROG Ally. It’s not as intrusive if you keep your wattage down low, but that’s not going to do the Ryzen Z2 GO APU any favors.

On the other hand, that promised praise relates to the 1200p 120Hz IPS display and its accompanying speakers. The screen’s nice contrast levels, decent brightness, and respectable colors cheered me up during testing, while the surprisingly punchy front-firing speakers helped mask fan noise without remotely sounding tinny.

I found myself pretty absorbed in the Souls-like indie caper FlyKnight while testing the Lenovo Legion Go S, and it's a good example of a scenario where performance, refresh rate, and resolution all feel like a good fit, even if running a game that takes visual queues from old Runescape isn't exactly a feat.

If the device was even just a bit more powerful than the OG Legion Go, I could see myself using it over an OLED handheld even if it meant compromising on vibrancy. I do rank Lenovo's choice of display among the best within the portable PC scene right now, and while not convinced we need to be pairing lower spec Ryzen chips with anything over 1080p, playing lighter romps at 1200p does produce crisp visuals.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Go S?

No, you shouldn’t buy the Lenovo Legion Go S right now. Trust me when I say it pains me to say that, as I fully believe that the cheaper SteamOS version will make for a great Steam Deck when it eventually arrives. I actually think the Windows 11 model could have ranked among the top premium handhelds if it wasn’t rocking that underwhelming Ryzen Z2 GO chip. But alas, this specific device isn’t worth $729, and there are countless options you could pick up for a chunk less that pack a more appropriate frame rate punch.

Ultimately, the Lenovo Legion Go S is a contradiction. Its name suggests it’s a light version of the first model, but its price and additional specs point towards it being a successor. My heart aches for this mixed up handheld and, since I truly believe the company is onto a winner with this formfactor, I hope its blueprint helps the eventual SteamOS model thrive soon.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Go S

I used the Lenovo Legion Go S as my everyday handheld to assess its performance, battery life, visuals, and audio in general use for two weeks. In addition, I also used Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman 3, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider as benchmark games to compare performance to the Steam Deck OLED and Windows 11 alternatives like the Asus ROG Ally and original Legion Go.

For more information on how we test handhelds and other portable gaming devices, swing by our full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

Looking for add-ons for Valve's handheld? Take a peek at the best Steam Deck accessories. Alternatively, check out the best retro consoles for a portable system that'll run the classics.

I always get a little more daring as we round the corner to Black Friday. I'm usually scouting out gaming laptop deals on RTX 4070 or RTX 4060 configurations to find the best value, but anything can happen at this time of year. That's what led me to find the best price I've seen on an RTX 4090 model yet, and the best news is that rate is currently sitting on the best gaming laptop I've tested so far.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 has just taken a price tumble at the brand's own retail store. Previously sitting at a lofty (though still fair compared to the rest of the market) $3,534.99 MSRP, you'll now find the high-end configuration for just $2,934.99 (you'll need to hit 'Build your PC' and select RTX 4090 for the full saving) That's considerably cheaper than other machines that haven't fared as well in my testing. These kinds of machines rarely drop below the $3,000 price barrier - this is more like the price of an RTX 4080 rig.

For reference, the majority of comparable machines (well-known brands backed by a high-end build quality and luxury display) listed on Newegg right now are between $3,139 and $5,000. That $3,139 device? Yeah, that's a Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 with an extra SSD. Best Buy's cheapest RTX 4090 rigs crash out at $2,999 - a solid rate you wouldn't find further out from Black Friday gaming laptop deals, but still technically pricier.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9?

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 blew me away in testing - enough to replace the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 as the best model on the market. The RTX 4080 configuration I tested a couple of months ago bested a similarly specced Asus in both FHD and QHD benchmarks, posting particularly speedy framerates that edged out ahead of the Razer Blade 16 and Alienware M16 R2 in most tests as well. Considering you're going to be getting even better performance out of that RTX 4090 GPU, I'd say this is easily a perfect fit for those chasing high fps gaming. What's more, it does all this without pushing its MSRP. As today's discount proves, this is a far more affordable flagship gaming laptop than others on the market - an MSI Titan 18 HX with a similar set of components under the hood will set you back $5,000 after all.

Its IPS display does step it back from high-speed OLED developments in the best Razer laptops, but Lenovo has upped the color contrast significantly for this year's iteration. I was particularly impressed with this panel, and I've been testing all sorts of high-end laptop display technologies all year. Games feel more energetic thanks to that vibrant picture - to the extent that even the anti-glare screen cover doesn't leave its traditional dulled mark.

The Legion Pro is a gaming laptop for those who can invest in a high-end machine that will put the latest components to work for years to come, without over-spending at the same time. If you've budgeted for a premium gaming laptop this holiday season, there are only two scenarios in which I wouldn't recommend the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 - and they're pretty niche.

The first is if you use high-end peripherals that make the most of Gen 2 USB-A speeds. Not only is that going to be particularly rare even today, but you'll have to be at the top of your competitive game to even notice the difference from these slightly slower Gen 1s.

The second is if you want to travel with your laptop. This is a bigger problem as, while the Legion Pro is still svelt for a performance-focused 16-inch laptop (it certainly sits better on the desk than the Strix Scar line), it's one of the heavier models on the market. Its 2.79kg weight is higher than that of Alienware and Razer equivalents, and considerably moreso when compared to slimline machines like the 1.95kg Asus ROG Zephyrus G16. If you're on the hunt for a work / play hybrid machine that won't make itself known in your backpack, I'd recommend checking out the Zephyrus. You're dropping framerates by opting for a slimmer rig, but still picking up a gorgeous OLED display panel and a slick design to boot.

Of course, Black Friday gaming deals have plenty more in store for us. If you're after something more permanent, check out the latest on Black Friday gaming PC deals. Or, take a look at Black Friday PS5 deals for the console experience.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 doesn’t do anything too revolutionary. Looking and feeling pretty much the same as the previous generation I reviewed last year, the 9th generation device brings about more iterative updates. Throwing in a 14th-generation Intel processor and RTX 4090 GPU while boosting the display, the Pro 7i Gen 9 feels far more modern under the hood. Those upgrades are, once again, iterative, but round-out this year’s Lenovo Legion Pro 7i into a machine that can fully take on the big guns and - quite often - win.

High-end 16-inch machines aren’t too rare, but the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 strikes a perfect balance between luxury design and price, all while pushing those frames to their limits. That makes for a particularly impressive experience in one of the best gaming laptops on the market right now - and one I’m yet to see matched elsewhere.

I’ll be measuring the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9’s design, features, and performance against the Gen 8 model I reviewed last year, as well as the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and Razer Blade 16. While only available in an RTX 4070 configuration, I’ll also be cross-referencing the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 with the Alienware M16 R2 for value purposes, particularly due to its considerably lower $1,899 MSRP. Of this comparison pool, the 9th generation Legion falls in the middle of the price range. Both the Blade 16 and Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 are more expensive in their RTX 4080 configurations ($3,599 and $3,299 respectively), but the previous generation Legion Pro 7i 8th Generation comes in a little cheaper at $2,549.

Design

I naturally favor a slimmer gaming laptop, preferring the skinnier form factor of a Razer Blade or ROG Zephyrus over chunkier alternatives. That does generally mean I sacrifice some performance in the laptops I pick up for myself - Lenovo seems to have fixed the problem. The Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 isn’t quite as svelt as the Razer Blade 16 or Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, but it’s miles away from the chonk of an Asus ROG Strix Scar 16. While still fairly heavy at 2.79kg (the exact same as last year’s model, and heavier than the 2.48kg ROG Strix Scar 16, 2.61kg Alienware M16, and 2.4kg Blade 16), it fits neatly into a backpack and - provided you’ve got a bag without enough support - should be comfortable to transport. I used a particularly reinforced backpack to take the machine on a half-hour walk and it was certainly more noticeable than the Razer Blade 14 I use day to day, it was far easier than an 18-inch behemoth would be.

That weight is dense, though, because the actual silhouette of the device isn’t particularly cumbersome. Tapered edges keep things feeling as svelt as possible, and a cool matte black finish keeps things streamlined and subtle. The top lid carries Lenovo’s brand tag in the left corner, with a glossy ‘Legion’ logo running along the right-hand side, but that’s it for major branding. Switch those RGBs off and this could be a regular office laptop. If you do prefer to keep that gamer aesthetic loud and proud, you’ll find a slick set of per-key customizable LEDs under the main keyboard and a particularly streamlined strip of light erupting from the bottom of the front lip. While the Strix Scar also offers extra RGB lighting around the edge, Lenovo’s implementation feels far more refined.

The main deck is constructed from an aluminum base, with a thinner plastic top lid. I was surprised to find some flex inside, though it’s only apparent when expressly pushing for it unlike the Razer Blade 16 which never seemed to buckle no matter how hard I pressed. The screen panel does have a little wobble to it - but generally only when moving the hinge downwards slightly. Opening up the clamshell with one hand was slick and smooth with no extra movement once my hand had left. There’s also remarkably little flex in the lid as a whole - impressive considering just how thin this piece is. That’s a well-built hinge, and it has to be - the whole screen can lay 180 degrees flat. I’m not sure why you’d need that on a gaming laptop, but everyone loves an extra option.

Like with many matte black gaming laptops, the top lid and palm rest area of the main deck can collect fingerprints and show dust particularly keenly. These smudges do wipe away pretty easily, but you’ll need to keep a cloth handy if you want it looking pristine day after day.

Features

With no new graphics cards out this year, Intel’s processor upgrades aren’t quite enough to separate 2024’s roster of gaming laptops from the previous generation. The majority of gaming laptops I’ve tested have only just nudged ahead in performance with this new tech under the hood. Instead, many machines have opted to pump more of a focus into their displays in order to keep those price tags interesting, with high refresh rate OLEDs making their way to the Razer Blade 16 and other Mini LED tech taking on more of a role. Lenovo has opted to keep its IPS display for this generation but has vastly improved its color separation.

The 9th generation covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, on top of the sRGB coverage the previous generation already offered. That makes for a far more vibrant picture on-screen, with detailed and faithful color representation and extra attention to finer details. It makes games feel more vivid and expressive, but also brings content creators into the fold, allowing for realistic color touching on the laptop’s main panel. Of course, you’re still getting that 1600p resolution and 240Hz refresh rates - par for the course in a 16-inch machine of this price. There’s also an anti-glare covering that works particularly hard to keep reflections away from your screen. Usually, this leaves pictures dulled, but I was particularly impressed with the Legion Pro 7i’s implementation - colors remain just as powerful even under direct sunlight, with only a little drop in contrast.

Lenovo has paid the same level of attention to the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9’s keyboard. You’re getting a full-sized deck here, a rarity even among 16-inch gaming laptops, and a particularly satisfying one at that. Each key has a bouncy 1.5mm of travel, offering up an energetic but still precise typing feel thanks to the concave shape of the keycaps themselves. There’s a snap to each press that provides a little more tension than you might find in other decks, but that tension keeps things feeling crisp rather than falling into mush. Lenovo has also designed its keyboard to allow for full-sized arrow buttons, whereas other machines like the Razer Blade 16 often shorten these keys for the sake of space. Instead, there’s a good amount of balancing between each key, and the RGB shines through beautifully. The trackpad is a little smaller than I was expecting, but is still comfortable and smooth to use.

Like all the models in my comparison pool, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 features two USB-C ports – both offering DisplayPort 1.4 and power delivery functions and one with Thunderbolt 4. You’ll also find four USB-A ports to choose from, lined up across each side of the machine - that’s more than Alienware, Asus, or Razer have added to their rigs. They’re a little slower than their competitors, though, running at Gen 1 speeds instead of the Gen 2 ports we generally see.

Theoretically, that means your 2.4GHz dongles or wired peripherals will transfer information at half the speed of more modern ports. In the real world, it’s not going to make much of a difference for most players at the moment, it’s really only a problem for those with the latest and greatest peripherals. A USB port can only run as quickly as the cable, and most gadgets are still released with USB 2.0 receivers and wires. A USB 2.0 cable is only ever going to run at its own top speed, which is going to be lower than the maximum speed for a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, let alone USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. If you’re concerned, check inside the USB sections on your cables - if the small piece of plastic is black or white, then you’ve likely got a USB 2.0 cable (a USB 3.0 cable will generally use a blue piece of plastic).

Now that we’ve got all the boring port chat out the way, it’s time for one of my favorite parts of any gaming laptop design - rear I/O! The Legion Pro 7i places most of its connections towards the back, helping you keep a tidy desktop without cables spilling over the sides of your laptop - it’s the little things that count.

Performance

The RTX 4080 GPU and new Intel i9-14900HX processor help the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 float to the top of the middle of my testing pack. While it can dominate in certain runs, it sometimes falls behind the older Asus ROG Strix Scar in others. Ultimately, though, the Legion is using its enhanced cooling and sustained thermal controls for good, offering up some impressive numbers especially when standing next to (admittedly skinnier) machines with RTX 4090 graphics cards.

3D Mark’s synthetic Time Spy and Fire Strike benchmarks test a system’s rendering capabilities, putting both the CPU and GPU under a stress load and assigning a value to its reliability and speed. Time Spy saw the best success for the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9. The chunkier rig outperformed the MSI Raider GE78 and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 - both impressive 16-inch machines in their own right. The slightly trickier Fire Strike test did give the Legion something more to think about, dropping it below both models but still above the notably skinnier Zephyrus G16.

However, it was in-game benchmarks that truly showcased the speed of the Legion. At 1080p, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i consistently outperformed the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and sometimes even bested the RTX 4090 Razer Blade 16. Considering the price difference between the latter configuration and our $3,069.99 build (roughly $800), that means the additional cooling and extra space are doing some serious heavy lifting here. Not bad for a machine that doesn’t feel like a cumbersome rig. Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Total War: Three Kingdoms were safe 100+fps bets in this FHD category, with those numbers only starting to suffer once Returnal got its hands on our components. This is a far more demanding game, and the biggest test I throw at each laptop during the benchmarking process. Sticking close to 100fps even in Epic settings is no mean feat considering an RTX 4070 machine like the Alienware M16 R2 will be threatening to drop to 60fps instead.

QHD+ performance dropped slightly in some games and more drastically in others. Bumping things up to 1600p took less of a toll on the system in games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and The Talos Principle 2 than it did in Returnal and Total War: Three Kingdoms. The Lenovo Legion was still top of the pack in these two easier runs, but still managed to float ahead of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 in Total War and held a very much still-playable 71fps average in Returnal at max settings.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i?

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i can sail you past the luxury performance heights of machines like the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 without pushing the price tag quite so hard. That makes for excellent value for money overall, especially when you’re still getting the display quality to match. This is for those looking to invest in a long-term device but still don’t want to tip the scales to the very top end, and quite often that’s the most competitive market set I test within. The Legion Pro 7i 9th Gen works hard for its spot among the best machines on the market, and it’s earned it. Between impressive performance across both synthetic and in-game benchmarks and noticeable (and worthwhile) screen improvements, this is a rig to beat in 2024.

Its only real competition in the 16-inch space is the Razer Blade 16. With its OLED panel and slimline design, the Blade 16 is the best 16-incher on the market still. However, considering you’ll need to spend close to $4,000 to pick up specs that can beat the Legion Pro’s performance, Lenovo still wins out from a sheer value perspective.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 has been my favorite gaming laptop for a long time now. It balanced high-end performance with a chunky chassis that could make use of its internal components, and an excellent screen to boot. In its latest form, though, the Legion Pro does all that while also solving a few of the Scar’s problems. This is a far more subtle device with an aesthetic that doesn’t scream gaudy gamer quite so loudly. It performs better across a range of tests with only slightly newer hardware under the hood. It’s also around $400 cheaper in its RTX 4080 configuration. That means the Scar 16 has a real competitor on its hands, and I’m inclined to recommend Lenovo first and foremost.

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9

I used the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 for a period of three weeks, with one week of testing alongside the HP Omen 17. In that time, I primarily had the machine hooked up to a secondary monitor, keyboard, and mouse during work hours, unplugging in the evenings to enjoy the full spread of that onboard display. I used the laptop for all daily work and play like this during my testing process, while also travelling with the laptop over a series of short journeys. I used 3D Mark’s synthetic benchmark suite to put the GPU and CPU through their paces, with dedicated tests across Geekbench for the GPU and PC Mark 10 and Cinebench R24 for the CPU.

I also performed the same in-game benchmark tests as I do with all gaming laptops that pass my desk. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Returnal, and The Talos Principle 2 are all run three times at both 1080p and 1600p (where possible, Returnal maxes out at 1440p) in both High and Highest settings. An average framerate result is taken from each set of three runs at different resolution and graphics settings. I also played Octopath Traveler, Fallout 4, The Outer Worlds, and Planet Coaster during my time with the machine.

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We’re also rounding up all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops on the market. Or, if you’re looking for something a little skinnier, check out the best Razer laptops available now.

It might be all about Amazon right now, but this RTX 4080 gaming laptop is sitting at an all-time low price point – and it has nothing to do with Prime Day. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is marked down to $1,999.99 at B&H Photo right now, carving a tidy $750 off its RRP. It's rare to see RTX 4080 gaming laptop deals drop this low, especially sporting these kinds of specs. Last year's Black Friday sales saw similar machines dropping to $2,099.99 at the absolute lowest, which makes this Prime Day gaming laptop deal the cheapest we have ever seen machines like the Lenovo Legion Pro.

My own gaming laptop has certainly seen better days – I wasn't able to play Alan Wake 2 on it, and being out-specced by Remedy still smarts to this day. But it's incredible to see a state-of-the-art piece of equipment currently going for the exact same price I bought my clunky HP Pavilion 15 for back in 2020, and it's unlikely to get much cheaper any time soon.

There are plenty of Prime Day gaming deals to take advantage of this sales season, and if you're shopping from outside the USA, scroll down to find location-specific suggestions near you. Let's check out this sweet Lenovo deal first, though.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i?

If you're on the fence about whether to pick up the Legion Pro 7i, I'd go with yes. Granted you've been in the market for a sleek new gaming laptop for quite some time now and are looking for solid mid-range machine in terms of both power, speed, and GPU specs, this is about as clear of a winner as you'll likely get in the coming months.

To put into perspective how rare and exciting this laptop deal is, let's take a look at a similar machine. The Alienware x16 R2 Gaming Laptop, also sporting an RTX 4080 graphics card, is going for $2,499 at Dell right now. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i might be only just below the $2,000 mark by literally a cent, but that cent makes all the difference when you remember how much graphical fidelity bang you're getting for it and the rest of the $749.99 you'd be saving. Case closed.

More of today's best Prime Day deals

• PS5: games starting from $19.99
• Switch: all consoles discounted
• Xbox: renewed consoles from $295
• PC: RTX 4060 rigs from $849.99
• Handhelds: $100 off ROG Ally at Best Buy
• Meta Quest 3: now $429.99 at Walmart
• Controllers: now starting at $17
• Components: CPUs from $120
• Games: Switch games from $16.99
• Headsets: Razer from $34.99
• Keyboards: mechanical decks from $29.99
• Laptops: starting at $549.99
• Mice: Razer from $21.38
• Monitors: up to $370 off Samsung
• Storage: SSDs from $17.99

The best Prime Day PC deals will help you kit yourself out with a brand new desktop rig. Looking for some screen-free entertainment options? We have plenty of Prime Day board game deals to check out, from D&D to monopoly. Finally, these Prime Day monitor deals will have all your games looking and feeling razor-sharp and responsive.

Whispers of a new Lenovo Legion Go handheld model are in the air, and the ‘Lite’ version could be what I wanted in the first place. The name suggests it’ll be a scaled-down version of the portable PC that might also come with a more affordable price tag, but I’m hoping it doesn’t make the same mistake as the cheapest Asus ROG Ally. 

It takes more than bold specs to make my best gaming handhelds list, and I feel like the Lenovo Legion Go is a bit like one of those flashy cheeseburgers you see online. You know, the ones that look impressive but are far too big to fit in your mouth and are awkward to pick up? Naturally, road-testing the portable PC didn’t leave me covered in grease and ketchup. Still, awkward design choices and needless quirks like removable controllers kept me from enjoying a mouthful of tasty performance, and the rumored Lite model could fix all of that.

The rumblings come courtesy of Windows Central, with a report claiming the Lenovo Legion Go Lite is coming. Sadly, the leak contains zero information about the handheld’s specs or new form factor other than the fact it’ll boast “the same Z1 [APU] range from AMD.” It’s easy to assume that the “Lite” part means potentially a smaller screen and perhaps a lower resolution display, both attributes I think would refine the overall Legion Go experience. What I am nervous about is the part about Ryzen Z1 chips, as opting for just the non-extreme version of AMD’s processor would be a massive mistake. 

If you’ve ever gone shopping for an Asus ROG Ally, you’ll know two handheld versions exist. The most expensive of the two is rocking an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, which blows the Steam Deck OLED out of the water in terms of frame rates and can almost rival premium options like the Ayaneo 2S. The second uses a lower-spec variant that appropriately drops the “Extreme” tagline, as it struggles to keep up with Valve’s custom chip. 

The fact the Legion Go Lite leak doesn’t explicitly mention which Ryzen Z1 APU it’ll use is worrying, as there’s every chance Lenovo will opt for the non-extreme version to cut costs. Price will naturally also come into play, but unless the gaming laptop maker can hit a sub-$400 price tag, it’ll be hard to recommend over the Steam Deck.

Should you wait for the Lenovo Legion Go Lite? 

APU woes aside, there are various reasons why I think the Legion Go Lite could make a big impact within the handheld scene. For starters, if it can pack elements like a 144Hz screen and a trackpad into a 7-inch package, we could be looking at something that’ll rival even the upcoming Asus ROG Ally X. By using a lower resolution panel while still retaining a faster refresh rate, Lenovo could theoretically cut costs and still offer up something unique, not to mention it’s easier to boost fps to suit playing at 800p anyway. 

As for whether you should wait for the Legion Go Lite, it all depends on how desperate you are for a new handheld. Holding off comes with the risk that you’ll wield that non-extreme Z1 chip, meaning you’ll end up simply picking up a Steam Deck or ROG Ally anyway. Those of you who aren’t fussed about the best frame rates possible but want a 120Hz screen can already pick up Asus’ cheaper portable for $499 at Best Buy, and it’s known to frequently drop to $399. 

Of course, there will be plenty of you out there who are eying up the original Lenovo Legion Go, as it offers up an extra large 8.8-inch 1600p and removable controllers. Having used the latter, I’d say the feature is more of a gimmick that compromises the feel of the gamepad for the sake of being different. That said, the right-hand pad doubles as a gaming mouse alternative, which might appeal to some of you diehard desktop gamers out there. In any case, that model is actually down from $699.99 to $629.99 at Amazon right now, so now might be the ideal time to grab one.  

Already got Valve’s portable powerhouse? Check out the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck dock for plenty of add-ons. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming laptops for a mobile rig with more oomph. 

In a way, I feel a bit bad for the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30. It boasts a great curved ultrawide mini LED panel that should serve as a nice OLED alternative, but its price ultimately prevents it from doing so. Taking a step back and looking at the current market, there are so many models that’ll boast better visuals than this screen sitting at the same price point, even though this one shows off what the panel tech can achieve.

Available for $1,199.99 / £899, the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30 is running against the premium members of the best gaming monitors club. That’s inherently an issue, as while mini LED displays have a lot of qualities that make them worthwhile, you shouldn’t have to splash out the same price as a high-spec OLED to get one. Knock $400 off and I’d be singing a different tune, but you only need to swing by Amazon for a few seconds to see that it’s overpriced. 

But hey, if the Y34wz-30 did cost under a grand, it’d certainly give OLED rivals a run for their money in a few different ways. I recently reviewed the Lenovo Legion R45w-30, and while both screens use a VA panel, the mini LED display produces far better colors than the larger WLED model. Depending on the kind of room you’re playing in, this panel might also hold up better thanks to its enhanced brightness capabilities, but I still wouldn’t recommend paying full price. 

Specs

Armed with an ultrawide 34-inch curved 1440p VA panel running at 180Hz, the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30 is what I’d consider a high refresh rate monitor. That bar is admittedly rising, with 60Hz feeling especially sluggish even when it comes to cheap screens, but I’d argue anything over 165Hz is still targeting FPS game fans.  

Attached to the curvy screen speedster is a hearty array of ports, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, a single serving of DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C hub complete with KVM device switching. The latter has been present in almost every display I’ve tested this year, so I’m glad Lenovo has made the effort to jump on that particular bandwagon. You’re not going to really feel the benefits if you have a singular PC or plan to use the Y34wz-30 as a PS5 monitor, but those of you with a gaming handheld or laptop will be able to set aside your Steam Deck docks and standalone hubs.  

Design

Immediately after unboxing the Y34wz-30, I could tell I was going to get along with its size better than with its 45-inch sibling. I’m sure some of you out there will be quite happy with the visor-like qualities of a 32:9 aspect ratio, but I’d much rather stick with a 21:9 model that takes up more vertical space. Is the former geared more towards productivity? Perhaps, but it’ll take a lot to convince me that long and skinny is a valuable gaming thing(y).

You can certainly tell the Legion Y34wz-30 is related to the R45w-30, with both featuring an industrial v-shaped pedestal stand that looks very warehouse chic. I don’t hate the look, but it’s absolutely one to avoid if you’re trying to manifest cozy vibes at your setup. Other than the fact this screen is far less upsetting width-wise, the only other noticeable difference is the fact this display wears some RGB, with a strip serving to illuminate the surface of your gaming desk. 

The lighting strip adds a bit of flare to an otherwise standard-looking curved gaming monitor, but you’ll need to download Lenovo’s Artery software to wield control. As someone who has a million management apps already installed on my rig, it pains me to have to add another just to mess with some RGB patterns, but your tolerance for that may vary. 

Things get a bit more interesting at the rear, as the back of the screen uses a 3D isometric cube pattern that looks like a big Q*bert level. It’s a nice touch, but something you’ll swiftly forget about if your screen is destined to face a wall. What might not leave your mind as quickly is this display’s weird lineup of OSD inputs, as Lenovo has paired the dreaded joystick nub with some extra buttons that don’t function as their design would suggest.

By that, I mean there’s a rocker that looks like it’d be for speaker volume but is instead two buttons for source input and power. This is actually the same setup as the larger 45-inch model, but since those were so out of reach, I didn’t catch on to how weird the match-up is during regular use. To dial back the volume, you’ll need to click horizontally on the joystick, with up and down doing completely nothing. I’m so perplexed by this that I’m not even going to bother going on my usual “every premium monitor should come with a remote” rant as if feels like we have bigger problems here.

As for port placement, you’ll have to reach under the back hump to hook everything up, but the recess isn’t too deep. I was able to easily swap out cables from my chair without too much faff, although I did have to take advantage of the screen’s height-adjustable stand since I keep my displays low to the desk. 

Features

As far as feature sets go, the Legion Y34wz-30 packs enough useful utilities and extras to help its mini LED panel shine. Within the OSD, you’ll find the usual suspects, including color profiles and basic brightness dials, but there’s also a ‘Smart Light’ feature that’ll automatically adjust things to your environment. 

I have mixed feelings about this feature, as things started off great, but I quickly discovered how sensitive the front sensor is just to me moving around. The outcome is an occasional flickering that is fairly noticeable, and it’s exactly the sort of thing that can personally trigger a migraine for me in the wrong conditions. That said, it’s incredibly useful when it works, especially since the weather in Scotland can rapidly change from sunny to battleship grey in a matter of moments. 

Also stowed away within the OSD menu is a bunch of KVM abilities, with the same ‘True Split’ functions as the R45w-30 popping back up for a second round. Again, this caters more to productivity since it’ll split your single screen into two displays with access to peripherals, but I find it handy for messing around with the Steam Deck OLED while retaining quick access to my main rig. Even if you just use the USB-C connection for docking purposes, you’ll be able to keep the handheld juiced with 75W power delivery. 

Performance

As for how the Y34wz-30 holds up visually, I was pretty happy with the experience this display provided. Colors are still not as vibrant as with an OLED panel, but they aren’t lacking by any means. Where this display absolutely stands out is with its HDR abilities, which are backed up by the enhanced brightness capabilities of mini LED tech.

I always take a trip to Night City to see how Cyberpunk 2077’s metropolis looks, and oh boy, the RPG really draws on those HDR abilities. Neon signs give off a realistic glare when within close proximity, and the gentle twinkle of every other light source makes the concrete jungle feel all too real. Not every display is able to pull off High Dynamic Range like this, so it’s definitely a strong reason to opt for Lenovo’s mini LED panel. 

The vibrancy difference becomes more apparent when diving into the likes of Tomb Raider Remastered Trilogy, one of my go-to Steam Deck games. Compared to playing Lara’s big day out on Value’s 7-inch OLED, and even the KTC G27P6 I reviewed recently threw a much harder punch in terms of color. You could argue the less saturated look is a preference, but I’m a total sucker for sickly rich visuals. 

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30?

If you place MSRP aside, the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30 is a great mini LED display that has superior brightness and HDR abilities on its side. Players who would rather invest in a curved ultrawide over one of the best 4K gaming monitors out there have a lot to gain from this screen, and it checks most of the boxes when it comes to speed and extra features.

Sadly, it is impossible to completely ignore Lenovo’s pricing for this panel, and it means I’d only recommend it if you’re getting a hefty discount. There’s every chance this screen will pop up for less, as it’s unlikely to survive on a battlefield of similar screens with OLED panels and fancier tech on their side. So, before slapping down money on this respectable ultrawide monitor, I’d strongly advise taking a wider look at what’s available and weighing up whether it’s good value. 

How I tested the Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30

For two weeks, I used the  Lenovo Legion Y34wz-30 as my main monitor for both productivity and playing games. During that time, I played a handful of games to assess the screen’s capabilities and performance, including Cyberpunk 2077, Tomb Raider Remastered Trilogy, Halo Infinite, and Another Crab’s Treasure. I also hooked up the Steam Deck OLED to the screen to test both its KVM and USB-C hub abilities. 

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Looking for a wider selection of screens? Check out the best G-Sync monitors and best portable monitors for gaming. Alternatively, take a peek at the best gaming TV models if you need something even bigger. 

November 7, 2025 - A lot has happened since the Lenovo Legion Go arrived on the scene. Not only is there now a fresher faced Lenovo Legion Go S on the scene with nicer controls, but there's a sequel device on the way to take on punchy newcomers like the ROG Xbox Ally X. I've added some updates below that provide some context, and they should help you decide if the 2023 handheld is still the right portable for you.

If testing the Lenovo Legion GO has taught me anything, it’s that sometimes less is more. Don’t get me wrong, I love impressive specs as much as the next handheld nerd, but this new portable PC tries too hard to impress with gimmicks arguably no one asked for. As a result, it feels more like a prototype than something ready in the wings to take on the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, and that’s a damn shame when you consider what it’s actually capable of.

At $799 / £799, the Lenovo Legion GO is one of the more expensive best gaming handheld contenders around. You could argue it's a small price to pay when you consider its speedy 8.8-inch screen and beefy Ryzen Z1 Extreme GPU, but the fact you can now grab an Asus ROG Ally for under $600 sort of damages that argument. But, if I’m being candid, even a lower MSRP wouldn’t have helped this mobile rig feel as refined as something like the Steam Deck, and I wish they’d kept it in the proverbial oven for a bit longer. 

I’m not trying to be funny, but I think one of the Legion GO’s biggest flaws is that it’s a handheld that feels like it was made by laptop makers. I mean, that statement is inherently silly considering that’s exactly what it is, but I’ll hopefully illustrate why that’s something you want to avoid when designing a handheld gaming PC. It’s also the first time I’ve received vibes like this from a device since the 2010s, so I can only hope this isn’t the scene taking a proper step in the wrong direction.

Specs

In terms of raw specs, the Lenovo Legion GO is one of the beefiest handhelds on the battlefield. Naturally, the first thing that’ll catch many an enthusiast’s eye is the fact it's armed with an 8.8-inch 1440p 144Hz touchscreen, as it’s one of the first portable PCs to actually provide such a lofty refresh rate resolution combo. Theoretically, this portable powerhouse should feel smoother than all its rivals when paired with an appropriate frame rate, and spoilers, that latter caveat is going to crop up later.

As for innards, the Legion GO features that aforementioned AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme within its chonky chest – the same chip as the Asus ROG Ally. Lenovo pairs the APU with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, with a dual 49.2WHr battery setup helping keep everything juiced up while untethered by its 65W charger.

All the other expected traits of a handheld PC are also present, including Bluetooth, USB-C connectivity, a MicroSD, and WiFi 6E. Yet, the device technically also comprises three parts, as its controls are actually detachable. Dubbed ‘Truestrike’ controllers, each side boasts hall effect joysticks, haptics, six-axis gyro, two back buttons, and a 900mah battery. The right hand pad just so happens to also have its own trackpad and an optical sensor at its base, which enables it to function like a really irritating gaming mouse.

Features

In some ways, the Lenovo Legion Go offers up the same feature set as both the Asus ROG Ally and Ayeneo 2S. All three are Windows 11 handhelds with powerful Ryzen APUs that can technically run anything your conventional gaming PC can. If you’ve ever tried to use Microsoft’s OS on a portable, you’ll know it leaves a lot to be desired, which means handheld markers feel obligated to make their own software to bridge the usability gap. 

I’ve personally yet to use a handheld software suite that can remotely compete with SteamOS, but the Legion GO somehow feels jankier than every other alternative. Branded as LegionSpace, the application is designed to facilitate access to all your installed games, vital settings, controller customisation, and performance stats. While it does feature all of those traits, it left a sour taste in my mouth both in terms of aesthetic and usability. 

Navigating menus feels unresponsive, the home screen seems hellbent on sending you to a third-party game keys website, and weird quirks like featuring an ‘Android gaming’ option front and centre that links to the Amazon Appstore make the whole affair feel dreadfully unpolished. I feel like Lenovo had a chance to finally great a decent piece of kit that brings out the best in Windows 11, but instead decided to rush out something that’ll just about provide you with access to the essentials.

Normally, I try to dive into some positives after taking a swim in a sea of negativity, but since I’m about to touch on Lenovo’s Truestrike controllers, you’ll have to bear with me. At face value, the Joy Con-inspired pads boast a decent array of buttons, sticks, and triggers, and everything feels pretty robust when used in a conventional manner. The only standard part of the gamepads I do have an issue with is the D-pad, as its flat design prevents it from feeling tactile, especially if you’re used to rolling out directions on other controllers.

I'm still not a fan of the TrueStrike controllers, but the Lenovo Legion Go S makes up for the controls by making them built-in rather than detachable. That helps provide the handheld with a much sturdier feel, nicer feeling buttons, and extra features like hair-step triggers, all of which I personally value more than a mouse mode.

So, since the Truestrike duo’s ordinary inputs are completely serviceable, you might be wondering why I sound grumpy. Well, it all boils down to the above and beyond features, as all the extra quirks feel a bit redundant. For starters, the trackpad on the right hand controller is too far down to be used in place of a joystick, as you’ll struggle to reach the corresponding trigger when using it. As someone who enjoys using the Steam Deck’s pads when playing shooters, this was a pretty disappointing discovery to say the least. 

The next gripe I have is with fps mouse mode, as I really can’t see why I’d use it over a conventional clicker. By attaching a magnetic base to the pad and flicking a switch, you can dual-wield both controllers while moving the camera with your right hand. At first, I thought it was going to involve some clever gyro tech, but nope, the result is an optical sensor attached to an ergonomically upsetting set of finger triggers. I can see why someone might appreciate the dual functionality of display here from a space saving perspective, but in reality, a wireless mouse isn’t going to take up that much room in your backpack. 

Design 

On a slightly brighter note, let’s chat design, as the Lenovo Legion GO isn’t the worst-looking handheld out there. Its thin bezels help protect the extra-large screen from any visual distractions, and while the device is heavier than I’d like, it’s relatively comfortable to hold. RGB lighting around each controller thumb stick sprinkles in the usual level of gaming hardware flair, and cooling vents are kept out of sight around the top and back. 

Other nice to have design traits include a wide kickstand that draws influence from the Nintendo Switch OLED, and two USB-C ports, with the bottom input coming in handy for playing while charging. Unfortunately, the rest of the Legion GO’s design is brought down by its Truestrike controllers, as I feel like there was a bit too much compromise to make Lenovo’s take on Joy Cons a thing. 

Kicking off with the GO’s overall chonkiness, the girth of the pads at each end makes the handheld feel even more unwieldy than it actually is. I mean, the main body of this device already feels pretty thick, and it’s painfully obvious that there’s a lot of cooling shenanigans going on within. Yet, with the controllers slapped on each side, the portable PC feels even more clumsy, invoking those ‘made by laptop maker’ feelings I touched on earlier. 

Removing each controller also feels quite unpleasant, as the mechanism lacks finesse compared to the Switch. Detaching each side involves pressing in a toggle and pulling down, with the sensation feeling more like an awkward wrestle than a slick transformation. The fact the handheld’s body is heavy doesn’t aid the experience, and the process of picking the device and pulling on the pads always feels too precocious. 

Performance 

If there’s one thing the Lenovo Legion GO nails, it’s raw performance, and I was expecting as much considering it’s armed with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme. AMD’s punchy APU already prove its worth when the Asus ROG Ally made its debut, providing higher frame rates overall than the Steam Deck’s Phoenix chip and other handheld alternatives. 

To proper put the Legion GO through its paces, I used the same collection of games I use to test every PC I review. However, rather than crank things up to ultra, I decided to stick with low settings, as that’s what I’d naturally opt for when using another handheld. This is the same approach I used in my Ayaneo 2S review, as consistency should help make comparisons easier. I also cranked the handheld’s TDP settings up to its maximum of 30W to ensure the APU has every bit of power at its disposal. 

To start, let’s swing by Night City and see how the Legion GO fares when running Cyberpunk 2077. At 800p, I was able to reach 55fps at 800p, putting it way ahead of the Steam Deck and into the same ring as the Asus ROG Ally and Ayaneo 2S. Of course, bumping resolution up to either 1200p or 1600p results in 38fps and 25fps, respectively, which suggests playing at native resolution isn’t really viable. 

The Legion GO fares a bit better when handling Hitman 3, as I was able to squeeze 34fps out of the handheld at 1600p. To make it over the 60fps sweet spot line, I had to dial things way back to 68fps, but with a little upscaling assistance, you might be able to enjoy similar results at 1200p, albeit with some visual caveats.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider runs pretty much how I expected, with performance starting to drop off with 40fps at 1600p. However, I was pretty disappointed with my Returnal figures during testing. Even when pulling resolution back to match the Steam Deck, I was only graced with a 33fps average. Whether a wider optimisation issue is to blame remains to be seen, as I recall experiencing similar issues with the Ayaneo 2S. Still, considering this handheld supports QHD resolutions, it feels like making full use of its screen even with sacrifices is a chore.

As for battery life, the Legion GO takes the same ‘live fast, die young’ approach as other handheld PCs. That said, I do feel like this specific portable was guzzling juice even faster, even when scaling back things like resolution, refresh rate, and TDP. I’m not exactly surprised by this given the burden of the TrueStrike controllers and the device’s loud, over eager fans, but I’d prefer not being restricted to around 1-3 hours cordless action.

Outside of benchmarking, I decided to finally dive into Robocop: Rogue City using the Legion GO. The idea of using the TrueStrike controllers in mouse mode to gun down creeps felt like a great idea in my head, but unfortunately, it didn't really pan out the way I was hoping. Performance was subpar, I couldn't boost fps to 60, even at 720p with AMD FSR switched on. Even if I was able to achieve the latter, the using the gamepads left me questioning why I'd use them instead of a regular mouse, as the experience felt largely the same, only far less ergonomic. 

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion GO? 

The Lenovo Legion GO is going to appeal to players looking for a big screen, lofty specs, and plenty of flair. That said, its ambitions ultimately make it feel less a slick Steam Deck rival and more like an experimental prototype. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme within might be able to pull off similar moves to the Asus ROG Ally, but that’s not quite enough to carry the handheld PC to the same level in terms of overall experience.

If you are hellbent on picking up a handheld with a super fast refresh rate, plenty of horsepower, and the flexibility to run older PC games at 1440p. Lenovo will also undoubtedly improve the software side of things as time goes by, but at the moment, there are plenty of alternatives across the board that provide an overall much tighter package. Bigger isn’t always better, and that lesson will hopefully influence the portable gaming market through 2024 and beyond. 

How I tested the Lenovo Legion GO

For just over a month, I used the Lenovo Legion GO as my main handheld. During my time testing the portable, I used a selection of games for benchmarking purposes, including Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman 3, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Returnal, while also playing Robocop: Rogue City in my spare time. I also hooked the device up to one of our best Steam Deck dock picks, the Baseus 6-in-1, to check external output and monitor compatibility.

For more information on how we test handhelds and other portable devices, check out our GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

Looking for more portable power? Check out the best gaming laptops for mobile rigs. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming PC for machines that'll live at your desk.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is an impressive piece of kit. While its unassuming from the outside, looking like pretty much any Legion that came before it, the i9-13900HX processor and RTX 4090 graphics card in my test unit came up with some fantastic performance. Its pricing sits slightly under competitors in this configuration category, and it boasts a sleek yet subtly gamerfied design that won't draw too much attention. The Legion Pro 7i certainly has all the makings of one of the best gaming laptops on the market, so I put it to the test over the course of three weeks to see just where it sits among the year's greatest rigs. 

Design

With its square shape and simple matte black aesthetic, the Pro 7i could pass for a business ultrabook without the glossy Legion branding in the top left corner of the lid (and the RGB underglow running along the front lip). This is an understated design in its physical form factor, there's no RGB on the back, no massive grills running around the sides, and not a single diagonal line to be seen. That's refreshing for those after a more grown up aesthetic in their setup, though of course that gamer flair is just one click away. 

Similar to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, the Legion Pro 7i adds a downward facing RGB strip along the front. Both create a crisp, bright underglow effect, but Lenovo's implementation feels a lot more refined. Rather than bleeding out through the sides, this is a simple, thin strip of light hiding under the main lip of the device. While the Scar 16 felt like overkill in the RGB department, Lenovo manages to keep it suave. 

The chassis is constructed of aluminum, as one would expect from a high-end machine, and does carry the weight of a luxury device. At 2.79kg it's heavier than the Scar 16 and the HP Omen Transcend 16, though doesn't hit the heights of the chunkier Alienware M16. That's all to say, it remains nicely portable should you have a laptop backpack sturdy enough to keep a slightly higher weight comfortable. Of course, you're always going to be trading between power and portability in this 16-inch realm and the Legion strikes a nice balance overall. 

The upside is the dense machine feels incredibly sturdy in-hand. There's no flex or wobble to the lid - impressive considering the vast majority of gaming laptops that cross my desk have at least some movement here. The base itself does have a little more give to it than you'll find in a Razer laptop, for example. In fact, my only concern around the build quality lies in this base panel, and the keyboard in particular. There's a significant amount of flex to this deck and it's immediately noticeable. While it doesn't bounce too far as to interrupt typing, it certainly gives an extra mushy feel to the typing experience - one I wouldn't expect to see in a laptop at this price point. This thing will bend with a simple one finger nudge.

The lid itself opens up just above an extended rear panel. This section is dedicated to cooling and houses a bunch of ports for easy desk-based access. It's a design that's becoming more common in gaming laptops today, though if you're looking to keep the footprint as small as possible that extra ledge might be something to consider. It's by no means as egregious as an Alienware laptop, but it's still extra space taken up.

Features

Flipping that lid open, we're greeted with a super bright 240Hz display. The colors and contrast on this panel are impressive, especially considering it's not a Mini LED like many in these upper price regions. Its quality makes the experience of staring at this slightly larger 16-inch panel far more immersive than I've seen in other models, with crisp picture and excellent motion handling. 

Variable refresh rate support means you can keep your system running exactly as it needs to, but pushing things up to 240Hz also means this system can really draw out the best from the RTX 40-Series components it houses. It's not quite as breathtaking as the Nebula HDR display I enjoyed so much on the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16, but it's certainly a sight to behold and the matte coating doesn't get in the way of color definition nearly as much as it does on the Alienware M18. You've also got the option to output to up to three 4K gaming monitors with a 60Hz refresh rate. 

Underneath the screen you'll find a full-sized RGB keyboard with per-key lighting. Each keycap is shaped with a neat curve which kept my fingers exactly where they needed to be both in typing and gaming. I was, however, let down by this deck. Yes, it's fast, and you're getting a number pad included, full-sized arrow keys, and media playback legends mapped to navigational buttons. It's all there in terms of functionality. But the feel doesn't live up to others in this price category. The keys themselves have an ever so slightly tactile feel to the press, but the aforementioned flex in the main chassis is difficult to overlook. 

You are, however, getting a solid collection of ports. Both the left and right sides offer USB-A connections with a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C on the left and a 3.5mm audio out on the right. On top of that, the rear panel houses a plethora of additional options, another two USB-As, HDMI 2.1, USB-C 3.2 with power delivery, and an Ethernet jack. That's far more than you'll find on the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, even if you are swapping the microSD card reader for a wired internet supply. Only the Alienware M16 comes close to this level of connectivity, though drops two of those USB-A connections for a mini-Display port instead. If you don't want to rely on a dock for all your accessories, the Legion Pro 7i is the way to go. 

Elsewhere, you'll also find a 1080p webcam (still a rare find in gaming laptops which often opt for barely workable 720p models). Lenovo's taken this even further as well, with support for Tobii Horizon head tracking. This software uses the webcam to do what it says on the tin - track your head for input in a selection of compatible games. No, this isn't going to make or break your purchase decision, but if you do want to test out one of the 175-odd games that support the feature (including Flight Simulator, Far Cry 6, F1 23, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla) it's a welcome bonus. 

Under the hood, you'll find a suite of high end components. At its base configuration, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i pairs an Intel i9-13900HX CPU with an RTX 4070 graphics card, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. That spec will cost you $2,299 - for comparison, a like-for-like model of the Alienware M16 packs a 1TB SSD into a $2,249.99 price tag - so we're at the high end of reasonable here. 

Of course, you can push that up to an RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage split across two drives. This is my test unit's spec, though with only a single SSD, and it comes out at $3,523.99 at Lenovo direct. That's impressive considering Asus halves your RAM (though doubles your storage) for the same spec at $3,699.99. Overall, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is on the right side of the price line - especially in the realms of high end configurations. 

Performance

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i can fly, and while it didn't quite top the benchmark numbers of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (the most powerful gaming laptop we've tested yet) it certainly held its own in the 16-inch category. In a balanced power mode it nudged higher up the scale than the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 running the same internal configuration, which trades out a more portable chassis for, on average, 10% lower framerates in 1080p. The Lenovo, however, couldn't keep up with the ROG Strix Scar 16's output, despite utilizing an RTX 4090 GPU - a step up from the RTX 4080 we benchmarked the Scar with. 

Time Spy and Fire Strike scores were on the lower side of average for an RTX 4090 model, despite multiple runs. After checking everything was updated and secure, I was still unable to push past 15,000 in Time Spy or 30,000 in Fire Strke, which I would expect to see in a configuration of this caliber. That's a little disappointing on paper, but considering you're still getting easy three figure framerates in-game (at 1600p and Ultra settings for the vast majority of games) there's still plenty of power under the hood. 

I would be interested to see how an RTX 4080 machine fares, though, considering we're already getting 4080-level power out of this 4090 build. In fact, the Legion Pro 7i is potentially a case against the RTX 4090 in mobile form altogether. Cheaper graphics cards are easily capable of these numbers in the right machine, and considering the (still powerful) Intel i9-13900HX CPU at the helm it's easy to wonder exactly what's needed to draw that top end power out of the GPU. 

Bumping things up to performance mode did net a vast improvement in these scores, with Time Spy coming in at an even 20,000 and Fire Strike hitting 32,639. As the name suggests, that was with fans blaring, so if you're going to be pushing this rig to its limits you'll need a gaming headset to keep you in the zone. 

There is a secret weapon here, though. Balanced mode opens you up to Lenovo's AI Engine+. Working with the LA-2Q AI chip, the machine can tailor its power output to the demands being placed on the system. That means variable refresh rates but also fan speeds for a finely tuned level of performance. 

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i?

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a solid piece of kit with plenty of bells and whistles hidden under one of the fairer prices in the world of high-end gaming laptops. If you're investing in a long-term solution, this is certainly one of the most cost effective ways to pick up an RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 GPU without making chassis or cooling sacrifices. It's by no means cheap, but compared to the machines it's squaring up to in the performance and display categories you're getting excellent value for money overall. This is a gorgeous machine, but it's best suited to a mid-range spec. The RTX 4090 in my testing unit didn't quite have the space it needed to truly let loose, and was offering up numbers more telling of a cheaper GPU. I'd still recommend the Lenovo Legion 7i to anyone after a current-gen 16-inch gaming laptop, but would opt for a lesser GPU under the hood. That way you're playing to both of the Legion's strengths; excellent performance in the right power mode and an affordable price tag. 

How we tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

I used the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i for all my daily work and play over the course of one month. In that time I played Starfield, Arcade Paradise, Doom Eternal, and Eastward during my own testing, while also benchmarking across Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Returnal, Hitman 3, and Rainbow Six Extraction. For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We're also rounding up all the best Asus gaming laptops on the market. Or, for something a little more portable check out the best gaming PCs and the best Alienware PCs available now.

The Lenovo Legion Go is now available to buy, and we've not got long to go until the handheld PC's Halloween release date. If you're planning to secure your own portable powerhouse ahead of its arrival, we've scoped out a bunch of retailers who can provide you with the Steam Deck's latest rival.

Our Lenovo Legion GO review puts the new portable through its paces, and while it's perhaps not the best gaming handheld overall, its specs make the Steam Deck look like last-gen tech. Armed with the same AMD Z1 Extreme APU as the mighty Asus ROG Ally, the laptop maker's take on portable PC gaming is unique to say the least. Notably, the device comes with detachable Joy-con inspired controllers that can fill in for a traditional gaming mouse, and it's a chunk bigger than most on the go devices out there.

We can't say for sure whether the new Steam Deck alternative will immediately sell out, but there are plenty of places providing Lenovo Legion Go models. In the US, you'll find the handheld already listed at the usual suspects like Best Buy, while Argos is leading the charge when it comes to UK reservations. Naturally, we'll need to wait for the dust to settle before we see any Lenovo Legion Go deals, but it's still worth carefully considering which store to entrust with your order.

Where to buy the Lenovo Legion Go

Where to buy Lenovo Legion Go in the US

Where to buy Lenovo Legion Go in the UK

FAQ

What is the Lenovo Legion Go?

Announced on September 1st, 2023, the Lenovo Legion Go is a handheld gaming PC that's designed to run games using Windows 11. Featuring a similar design to the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and Ayaneo 2S, the laptop maker's device features a larger 8.8 inch 144Hz display and detachable 'TrueStrike' controllers that are reminiscent of Switch Joy-Cons. 

In terms of performance, its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU places it in the same ring as the ROG Ally, and it'll boost fps further than the Steam Deck in the latest games. It's also got compatibility on its side, as you'll be able to access Steam, Epic Game Store, PC Game Pass, and any other storefront you can think of using Windows 11. That said, Microsoft's OS is arguably less handheld friendly than Valve's SteamOS, which is something to keep in mind if you don't like fiddling to get things working.

Lenovo Legion Go release date

The Lenovo Legion Go is set to launch on Tuesday, October 31 2023, but its Halloween release hopefully won't come with launch day frights. While the handheld PC is available to pre-order right now, there's a chance your order will take a few days to turn up, with UK store EE stating that stock is expected to arrive on November 11th.

Lenovo Legion Go price

Legion Go prices start at $699 for the 512GB model, with the 1TB version coming in at $749. In the UK, you'll only be able to pre-order the former, but we're hoping the larger capacity option shows up at some point after launch.

Looking for a portable powerhouse with more oomph? Check out the best gaming laptop for our favorite on the go rigs. Alternatively, check out the best Steam Deck dock if you're rocking Valve's handheld already.

The handheld gaming PC scene is blossoming into something beautiful, and Lenovo is reportedly set to join in. We don’t know much about the Windows 11 portable as of yet, other than the fact it’ll use an AMD APU, so it’s hard to tell what the company’s battleplan is. However, there’s a chance it’ll become a true Steam Deck competitor that challenges Valve’s 64GB model on price, and I think that’s exactly what the fledgling market needs right now. 

Lenovo’s rumoured gaming handheld will face stiff competition if it actually arrives, as both the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally aren’t the only options out there. Our Ayaneo 2S review takes a look at the premium side of the market, and there are various other companies occupying the price space above Valve’s portable and its Asus rival. There’s a significant lack of anything going on entry-level wise, and it could be a great opportunity for Lenovo to grab an unclaimed realm of players.

According to an exclusive report by Windows Central, the handheld in question is dubbed the Lenovo Go, and it’ll allegedly sport an AMD Phoenix APU and an 8-inch screen. Again, we’ve no idea what else the portable will provide inside or out, but it’s safe to assume it’ll bark up the exact same tree as Valve and Asus. The main question is, will Lenevo go all out and create a premium machine, or will we see a new entry-level champion enter the fold? I’m holding out for it being the latter.

At the moment, there are no $399 Steam Deck alternatives, as even the Asus ROG Ally targets players eyeing up the 512GB model. If Lenovo strikes a good balance between specs and performance, it could provide budget buyer’s with a reason to opt for the Go over the cheapest handheld PC available. That’d give the laptop company a chance to work its way up the chain towards Asus and the likes of Ayaneo, rather than chaining itself to higher end expectations.

While we'll need to wait and see whether Lenovo actually takes up the mantle of cheaptest Steam Deck rival, its activity when it comes to tablets suggests it might. Both the Tab P11 and M10 are examples of devices that maintain a competitive position within the lower ranks of tablet pricing, so the company has a history of occupying entry level spaces.

Of course, one of the main reasons to pick up a Steam Deck over a Windows handheld is SteamOS, as while Linux comes with compatibility quirks, Valve’s platform is more console-like. That said, Windows Central says Microsoft is planning to support brands with its handheld PC ventures, and the tech giant might already be helping Lenovo create an improved portable Windows 11 experience. 

If that is the case, and Lenovo also manages to create a device that costs around $400, I think it’d be enough to set the handheld scene ablaze. At the moment, premium portables are a bit of a hard sell, as you can pick up a Switch for a fraction of the price.

Yet, if a handheld PC that costs the same as a console and can run every PC game via an intuitive interface arrives, we may end up with something that’d even sway people waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2, That’s perhaps a bit of a pipe dream, but I’d love to see what kind of competition break out within the entry-level segment soon. Let's just hope the Lenovo Go doesn't end up failing to launch like the Lenovo Legion Play.

Looking for a conventional portable PC? Check out our best gaming laptop picks for a selection of on the go rigs. Alternatively, take a peek at the best Alienware gaming PCs for high spec desktop machines.

Plenty of pace. Or all the pixels. That's the key conundrum facing gamers these days. Well, it is if you're on at least a bit of a budget. Enter the Lenovo Legion Y25-30. It's a 25-inch 1080p panel and it's all about the speed.

After all, for less money you can actually get a 1440p monitor. Not just any 1440p monitor, but a decent gaming-optimised model running at 144Hz. In fact, at this rough price point you're not far off a 34-inch ultrawide 144Hz territory. Yikes.

In other words, you really have to value high frame rates and low latency to consider the Lenovo Legion Y25-30 as one of the best gaming monitors on the market. Of course, that means this 280Hz panel is really only suitable for the PC. Sure, it will play fine at 120Hz with Sony and Microsoft's latest consoles. But you'll be paying a big premium for capabilities you won't be able to access.

Design & Features

Lenovo's Legion gaming hardware isn't always the cheapest, but it is very nicely put together. The Legion Y25-30 is no exception. You get that signature Legion style which is technical and slick without drifting into the slightly adolescent excesses of some gaming brands. Slim bezels on three sides of the 25-inch panel ensure a contemporary look, too, and the stand adjusts every which way including tilt, swivel, height and even rotation into portrait mode if that's your thing.

As for connectivity, you get a pair of HDMI ports and a single DisplayPort 1.4 interface. There's also a quad-port USB-A hub, but no USB-C support. So, you can't have single-cable connectivity to a laptop and keep it charged while driving the display, albeit for a gaming-focussed rather than productivity display that's probably an inconsequential omission.

Providing adaptive refresh is AMD's FreeSync Premium, so both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards will get on just fine, and HDR support takes the form of VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, which is the very lowest specification for an HDR-compliant monitor.

Performance

The Lenovo Legion Y25-30 is pretty punchy straight out of the box thanks to its peak brightness of 400 nits. Sure, this isn't a true HDR monitor. There's no local dimming. But the IPS panel is vibrant and brighter HDR content certainly sizzles.

What this class of monitor can't do is combine that with fine contrast control. The black levels are decent for a conventional IPS panel, but nothing compared to a mini-LED or OLED monitor.

Anyway, speed is what this thing is all about and it certainly delivers. Slightly annoyingly, the maximum refresh of 280Hz is accessed as an "overclocked" setting in the OSD, which is a bit of a gimmick. That gives the impression that you're flirting at the edges of this monitor's capabilities when in fact it'll do 280Hz just fine and all day long.

Anyway, humming along at 280Hz, there's basically no discernable latency. Flick your mouse and the screen updates. It's that simple. You'd have to be a very serious esports addict to decide you needed something faster.

As for pixel response, which is a slightly separate though related issue to latency, this 1ms panel is a very quick monitor in its IPS class. Yes, OLED monitors are even better. But they're also multiples more expensive and the subjective experience isn't dramatically, life-changingly better when it comes to response. This thing is quick, make no mistake.

What it doesn't offer, however, is oodles of image detail. 1080p on a 25-inch monitor doesn't exactly make for cutting edge pixel density and when it comes to sharpness and clarity this is definitely a step down from a 27-inch 1440p panel, let alone 4K.

But then that's the choice you have to make. At this price point, you can't have 1440p and over 200Hz refresh. More to the point, even if you could, you'd then need to invest heavily in terms of graphics hardware to make the most of that capability on a higher resolution screen.

Should you buy the Lenovo Legion Y25-30?

What the Lenovo Legion Y25-30 offers is a relatively accessible way into truly high refresh gaming. This monitor isn't itself particularly cheap. But you can really lean into that 280Hz refresh without the need for a $1,000 GPU.

At the same time, you get good design and build quality, a decent feature set and nice overall image quality from a quality IPS panel, albeit the inherent pixel density of this class of 1080p monitor is always going to be limited.

So, it really comes down to the type of gaming and wider computing you're aiming at. If you're a bit of an all round gamer and you enjoy not just fast paced shooters but adventure titles, strategy games and the rest, and also if you want a display that doubles nicely for web browsing or content creation and consumption duties, this probably isn't the best choice.

In that scenario, a 144Hz 1440p panel will be plenty quick enough and offer much more in-game detail and a better desktop experience in Windows. But if speed and response are absolutely your main priorities, well, stick the Lenovo Legion Y25-30 on your shortlist. It's a seriously pacey little 1080p panel.

How we tested the Lenovo Legion Y25-30

As a high refresh 1080p panel, the Lenovo Legion Y25-30 is all about speed. So we ran it through a gauntlet of shooters including Apex Legends and Fortnite to get a feel for response and latency. Of course, you might not be all about esports, so visuals matter too. Cyberpunk 2077 is our go-to game for assessing HDR and ray-tracing sizzle, while we'll take any excuse to play a little The Last of Us: Part I. We also assess ergonomics and build, plus features including connectivity and OSD menu options in coming to our overall conclusions on this monitor's pixel-pumping prowess.

For more information on how we test gaming monitors, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We're also rounding up all the best 4K gaming monitors as well as the best monitor for PS5 and the best monitor for Xbox Series X as well.

Gaming laptops have been fluctuating in price quite radically these past few months, yet there are still a good number of deals making their way to the web. One upgrade worth considering is the Legion Legion 7, having been slashed in price considerably by the maker itself. 

By heading over to the retailer's website you can take home a Legion Slim 7 gaming laptop with a Radeon RX 6800S graphics card for $1,232.50. This is a huge reduction of $767.49 (about 38%) from its typical value of $1,999.99, something that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's also backed up by AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, Windows 11, and a sleek 16-inch display. To gain this discount, make sure to add the laptop to your basket before then applying codes 'EXTRA5' and 'GREETINGS10' at checkout. 

This deal also throws in three months of Xbox Game Pass for free, so you can break in the new gaming laptop with the likes of Halo Infinite, Hi-Fi Rush, and more. For further comparison, we always recommend reading up on the best gaming laptops for 2023, including the likes of Razer, Dell, and Alienware. That said, the Legion brand is still admirable and for this price, it's hard to beat with a graphics card this powerful. 

Today's best gaming laptop deal

More of today's best gaming laptop deals

If you're looking for something cheaper then this Lenovo Legion Tower 5 with an RTX 3050 is another cheap option, dropping the price from $1,499.99 to $599.99. It's not as nearly as powerful but is a good budget alternative, offering a saving of $900.  

Want more options? Make sure to check out the best RTX 3070 laptop deals as well as the best RTX 3080 laptop deals on the market. We've also rounded up the best cheap gaming laptop deals in April 2023 to fit all budgets.

Hot off the heels of Amazon's Spring Sale, there are still plenty of gaming laptop deals floating around the web. It's just working out which ones actually merit taking seriously. Well, we've stumbled upon one regarding a Lenovo gaming laptop that is definitely worth considering. 

Offered up by Newegg, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16ARH7H gaming laptop has now hit a new record low price of $1,299.99 at the retailer. This is a saving of $222.00 from its standard MSRP of $1,521.99. Considering it arrives with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, an AMD Ryzen 7 6000 Series 6800H processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and Windows 11, it's certainly excellent value for money. A gaming laptop featuring these specs usually goes for around $1,600 and even if you purchased these parts separately, you're looking to pay approximately $1,400. 

It's a limited-time deal that's not expected to last long, so get on it if interested. For further comparison, we always recommend checking out the best cheap gaming laptop deals on the market, with MSI, HP and Dell all making up some of the top offers available now.  

Today's best gaming laptop deal

A great example of what this Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop is capable of is that it can run Elden Ring at 60 FPS in 4K resolution. The likes of Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone can also reach 60 FPS and 80 FPS, respectively. Even then, you can knock the resolution down to 1080P, pushing both battle royale games to 255FPS and 140FPS. So it will more than do the job for anyone who enjoys shooter and big triple-A blockbusters.

More of today's best gaming laptop deals

If you'd prefer something more powerful, we're big fans of this MSI with an RTX 3080 Ti for $1,999.00, now down by $600. The model also features an Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and Windows 11. Not to mention, all of the best gaming laptops for 2023 can be found in our handy guide.

Looking for more deals? Here's where to find all the best RTX 3060 laptop deals on the market, alongside the best RTX 3070 laptop deals and the best RTX 3080 laptop deals, so you can get a top gaming laptop for less. 

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro has entered its second generation, and now that 120Hz refresh rates are on the table, we're interested. The P11 Pro Gen 2 has its work cut out for it, though. With the iPad's dominance growing stronger with every release, and niggling software frustrations lingering in Android devices, this is going to be one up-hill climb. However, the P11 Pro Gen 2 has a solid $399 / £349 price point going for it, which - combined with its mid-range spec list - may be enough to turn the tide in its favor for some users. 

I put the latest generation device through its paces over three weeks of work, binge streaming, and play to see exactly where it sits among today's best gaming tablets. 

Design

• Cheaper build materials compared to predecessor
• Sleek, two-tone grey aesthetic 
• Easy to connect magnetic keyboard case (though sold separately)

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro has changed its design in its second generation, and not for the better. Whereas the original model boasted aluminum build materials, we now have a plastic chassis - and a slightly smaller screen to boot. The plastic back doesn't exactly scream cheap, it's still a well-tailored set of panels with a slick finish - but it lacks the premium feel a more robust construction can offer. 

In everyday use, I wasn't concerned about chipping or scratching and there's no evidence of regular wear and tear from my three weeks with the device on this surface. However, it is a fingerprint magnet, so you'll want to keep that cleaning cloth close to hand if you're fussy. The overall feel of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro isn't as sophisticated as something like the 10.2-inch iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite - both available for less than this device's asking price.

Build materials aside, I was pleased with the overall aesthetic. A dark grey two-tone panel running along the back keeps things subtle while standing out against the competition, meanwhile the curved corners and flat edges offer a sophisticated feel. The bezels are a little larger than one would expect from a current generation device, but don't feel overly imposing on the screen space.

Of course, the P11 Pro has always been about marrying everyday tablet use with a more functional laptop-style design. That's where the keyboard and stylus accessories come into play (though they're both sold separately). With a soft touch leather-like finish and light-grey aesthetic to match that of the tablet itself, this is a particularly well-designed cover. 

Handy decisions are littered throughout the design, from the flexible hinge on the back to stand your device upright to the small lip that opens up to provide access to a nook for the Precision Pen. The keyboard attaches via a secure magnetic connection at the bottom of the tablet (the back panel with the hinge snaps magnetically to the full back of the device) and holds its position against the screen well.

I was surprised by the well-balanced key spacing of the keyboard itself. I often find myself cramped with these tablet keyboards, forever hitting multiple buttons at once. However, I was comfortably able to type a full day's work in Google Docs without feeling hampered by the size of the deck I was working with. The trackpad is a little too small, though, and straight out of the box is far too sensitive for the screen size it's working with. The result was a clunky feel that took me away from the streamlined 'productivity engine' feel Lenovo is going for.

Features

• Larger 8GB RAM / 256GB storage configurations available
• Excellent OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate
• Powerful JBL speakers

While the design may have taken a step backward compared to the previous version, the spec sheet has certainly moved forwards. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is now available in mid-range 8GB RAM / 256GB storage configurations - components far better suited to today's work demands than the 4GB / 128GB rigs on offer in the last model. 

Not only that, but you're still picking up a solid display for your cash. The OLED panel sitting front and center provides some excellent colors - Disney's live-action version of The Lion King was treated particularly well to some excellent dynamic range, with dusky browns remaining distinct even through the heaviest of tears at that scene. Darker moments in Lost and The Walking Dead also managed to maintain a level of clarity in higher brightness modes, though I did notice some mistreatment when watching HDR content. 

Despite packing HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, The Tab P11 Pro couldn't quite keep up with the HDR demands of The Umbrella Academy during these darker scenes, often washing the screen with a slight film of grey. Still, this can easily be patched away in software updates, and my 2020 iPad Air doesn't even attempt such a feat.

If you are after a streaming device, though, the speakers on the P11 Pro Gen 2 might just claw back those lost HDR points. There are four JBL drivers tacked on here, offering an incredibly powerful sound profile. I was surprised even by simple notification sounds when first loading up the Lenovo tablet - every jingle has a full, rich sound that certainly put my Apple collection to shame. 

I was particularly impressed with the level of bass on offer here, erupting almost impossibly from such a slimline device in both movies and in a run-through of Skrillex's latest album. Unfortunately for those pairing a set of audiophile-level headphones with their streaming sessions, though, there's no 3.5mm audio connection here which is disappointing.

I don't think anyone buys a tablet for its camera, I certainly don't consider the rear lense when picking up a new slate. As is to be expected, this camera setup isn't coming for your smartphone's clickers any time soon. However, it's worth mentioning that the front camera was more than serviceable for the odd Zoom call and will hold up well in a more professional meeting session. I noticed greater detail in this front camera than I do on my work laptop's webcam which was a welcome surprise.

Performance

• Android OS issues still make productivity uses clunky 
• Low performance on native games but great for streaming 
• MediaTek processor can't keep up with more demanding tasks

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, unfortunately, carries a few too many caveats in its performance to truly shine in either work or play. While aiming to sit as an all-in-one laptop replacement, Android's shoddy porting of apps to tablet scale means Lenovo has had to put some extra work in here. That work comes in the form of Productivity Mode, a landscape desktop-style structure that automatically appears when the keyboard accessory is attached. This is by no means a replacement for a full laptop experience, though. 

Many apps still open in portrait mode by default, and even more open in small windows that can be expanded into what feels like a Lite version of the full experience. Of course, nobody's really cracked this problem yet. I use Google Drive on Apple's iPad OS 16, and it's still clunky - but in my day of work testing, I was opening a new window for every new document and never found a useful workaround to have two windows next to each other. These are small productivity features that I came to quickly miss, without even knowing I was going to need them going in. 

So where do we sit when it comes to gaming? The MediaTek Kompanio 1300T chipset isn't going to threaten anything from Qualcomm or Apple any time soon, and it's easy to say you're not going to experience lightning-fast or super slick gaming on the Lenovo. Yes, that 120Hz refresh rate means on-screen movements are as smooth as they can be without the graphical grunt behind them - and it's not a speed you'll find in the iPad 10.2-inch or Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. However, native games suffered the most here - I could only get PUBG running on medium graphics, and that only remained close to 30fps with the help of further tweaks in graphics settings. 

Similarly, animations in Magic: The Gathering Arena were fried, and by the time my board state hit the fourth or fifth turn things were getting worryingly creaky.

I did, however, find much better success in taking Lenovo's hardware somewhat out of the picture. The glory of that OLED panel absolutely sang with a wide range of Xbox Game Pass streaming content, and this is where the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 is best placed. I was ducking and diving in Assassin's Creed Odyssey and keeping the roads warm in Forza Horizon 4 without much of a hitch at all. 

Yes, battery life suffered massively and things were stretched to their limits but the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 works its best magic when some of the pressure's off. That's, understandably, a major caveat - and you can pick up tablets for this price that can run native titles well as well. If gaming makes up just a portion of your needs, though, you'll be well served here overall.

Should you buy the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2?

The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 wants to be your office buddy. Unfortunately, it's a little too creaky to fully live up to that expectation. Once you factor in the cost of the keyboard ($89.99) you're looking at the price of a laptop like the Acer Swift 3 or Asus Vivobook anyway. That doesn't mean it should be dismissed though. 

The 120Hz refresh rate, OLED display panel, and range of RAM options aren't found in the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2's competitors. If you're looking for an everyday tablet that goes a little further than entry-level options like the 10.2-inch iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (or S7 FE for that matter) Lenovo has a very interesting proposition for you. The streaming experience on this device is excellent - if the TV always seems to be booked up it's a fantastic alternative. 

As it stands, if I was on the hunt for a device solely to see me through Netflix binges and a few emails or web surfing sessions, I'd be turning to the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2. Its OLED display can't be challenged in this price range, just as its 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support (once patched) aren't matched in Apple or Samsung's similar devices. However, the app support and productivity features are boosted in the iPad 10.2-inch, and if you're truly after a work tablet the 10th generation iPad or iPad Air may be better suited for a little more cash. 

How we tested the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2

I used the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 for three weeks. In that time, I worked solely from the device for one day for stress testing, and used the device for ad-hoc work tasks while travelling and during afternoon sessions. I also played PUBG and Magic: The Gathering Arena on the device to test its gaming prowess, but spent most of my time running Xbox Game Pass streaming services - specifically playing Forza Horizon 4 and Assassin's Creed Odyssey. I also tested the Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 against a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite on loan from a friend, and my own Apple iPad 10.2-inch and Apple iPad Air (2020). For more information on how we make our recommendations, take a look at the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

For something a little smaller, be sure to take a look at the best gaming phones on the market right now - or to make the most of your tablet games be sure to find the best mobile controller for you. We're also rounding up all the best gaming laptops if you're after something more intensive. 

Shopping for the best gaming PCs can be really intimidating, especially if you're not used to all the confusing component names and high prices. Things get even more complicated when you start to realize that the options in the US are a totally separate bag from what we get here in the UK, and two computers of the same name can vary wildly from one retailer to another. It's even worse now that the RAM pricing apocalypse has arrived. What do you spend your money on, and how do you know it's right for you?

My goal is to narrow down your search and make things as simple as possible. Prebuilt gaming PCs are the plug-and-play alternative to building from scratch, and although they used to be looked down on, I can feel the winds beginning to change. Naturally, you're always going to get some purists who will tell you building is the only way, but their fears of prebuilt systems have mostly eroded in the last five years or so. No longer do they all use proprietary parts or prevent you from swapping components out. For the most part, they come without bloatware or loads of preinstalled nonsense you don't actually need. After all, Windows 11 has that regardless of whether you build or buy.

If I can offer you one bit of advice before we get into the entries on the list below, it's to think about futureproofing. A new gaming PC can be a daunting investment, so I wouldn't blame you for aiming at the budget end of the scale. That's totally fine, but to make sure your investment is worthwhile, be certain that the motherboard you choose has a CPU socket that can see some upgrades if you want them down the line. Try to get something with room to grow you can upgrade the parts you want to later on, because chances are, you might want to the more you play.

The Quick List

The best gaming PC overall

• Our favourite configuration:

The Acer Predator Orion X is one of the most innovative, powerful, and compact PCs we've had the pleasure of testing. This is a small form factor build, but one that acts nothing like an ITX build at all. If you can afford this little monster, it's the best prebuilt gaming PC in the UK right now.

Design & Features: Contrary to larger Orion 7000 gaming PCs, the Orion X is remarkably quiet thanks to an AIO cooler that uses a mix of water and air to keep its innards cool. It works surprisingly well, and it would need to since the configuration we tested comprises an unlocked 13th Gen i9 processor and an RTX 4080 GPU.

Despite these being some of the beefiest components you can buy for PCs at the moment, they're housed in a chassis which is as quirky and inventive as ITX cases get. There are three "zones" in the chassis to direct you to different components of the rig, and while this is excellent for cramming big components inside it, it may prove quite difficult to operate on if you want to upgrade it later on.

Performance: Regardless, in general use, gaming, and content creation, this PC performed brilliantly and outshone the larger Orion 7000 in terms of quality of life and value. This is cheaper and arguably performs better thanks to that AOI cooler. There's next to no noise pollution and it won't take up all the space underneath your desk.

Moreover, there's very little you can throw an RTX 4080 at and not win when gaming. the visuals you'll be able to muster up at high frame rates are breathtaking, and combined with an i9 there's so much legroom to play and create in 4K. Rather bizarrely, the SSD you get for your money is the worst bit - a common theme with some prebuilds that manufacturers probably use to keep costs down. CrystalDiskMark showed us a sequential read speed of only 3,622MB/s, which isn't ideal for a PC of this price.

Still, gaming results were spectacular, with even 4K and ray traced Hitman 3 managing to get a benchmarking score of 92fps. That test usually humbles every other rig we test, but the Orion X chewed it up and spat it back out.

For us, it doesn't get much better than this in the prebuilt gaming PC world.

The best value gaming PC

Our favorite configuration:

The Refract Gaming Jade PC is a prebuilt machine by the team at OverclockersUK, and it's taken the mantle of "best value" on this list because it can frequently be found discounted, or with fun game bundles being offered alongside it. With fairly beefy mid-range components in there, you get some great value for money, regardless of the resolution you aim to play at.

Design & Features: The Refract Gaming Jade comes in one configuration, and sports a Ryzen 7 7700 CPU, an RTX 4060 Ti, 32GB of DDR5, and a 1TB SSD. Its Micro ATX chassis is a Kolink Citadel Glass case that won't take up loads of room under a desk or next to a TV stand. It's a real-estate efficient machine that's versatile as a result of its smaller footprint.

One downside is that it's cooled only by air. On the front, lie two intake fans which bring cool air across the motherboard. The CPU cooler is a fairly simple fan that steals some of that air before a singular exhaust fan blows it out the back. We wish there was maybe an AIO liquid cooler here to compensate the lack of a third frontal fan, but if you aren't opposed to a bit of noise pollution, this won't really be a problem.

The 650W PSU and space inside the case will allow you to customise and upgrade parts as you go. If getting in about your motherboard is a frequent occurrence for you, you'll be glad to know the glass panel folds open with a simple pull, and no tools are required.

Performance: With a 4060 Ti inside, there's capable gaming performance to be had from the Jade at any of the three resolutions. At 1080p, you've got something that will frequently spit out triple digit framerates, and at 1440p, you're going to find a lot of sweet spots between graphical fidelity and smooth gameplay. There is some room at the top for 4K gaming, if that's your thing. Just remember that with only 8GB of VRAM you're going to need to use DLSS more, or forgo ray tracing to really get playable frame rates. Still, you can see from the table below that in Shadow of the Tomb Raider with DLSS and max 4k settings, the Jade was still able to get over the 60fps mark.

Unfortunately, the SSD inside the Jade does let the side down, as our CrystalDiskMark benchmarking tests only produced a 5,227MB/s sequential read speed, and 4,823MB/s write speed. That's a disappointment for any gaming PC over a grand, and it's definitely the part of this machine we'd recommend upgrading first.

The best mid-range gaming PC

• Our favourite configuration:

The HP Omen 35L is a refinement of this well-established range of prebuilt gaming PCs. It brings the design and power of HP's desktops into the modern era, with more color, more efficient cooling, and updated parts. Like with the older HP Omen 30L, 25L, and 40L machines, this is available across multiple retailers and at a lot of different prices. For us, it's hard to find a more versatile and readily available mid-range PC you can always bet on.

Design & Features: The HP Omen 35L was a welcome sight when it arrived late in 2024. The HP Omen desktops have been around for a while now, and I've always been a fan of them because they combine great power and solid components with a wider availability than most big-name PC brands. The 35L replaces the older 30L, which was discontinued after it found itself in a tricky position between the existing 25L and 40L rigs.

The 35L's main goal was to make cooling more efficient, make it quieter, and manage to cram some modern mid-range configurations in for reasonable prices. It absolutely achieves that, especially on the cooling front. New Omen fans are a standout, the case now looks more lively, and although I have my reservations about an AIO cooler not coming as standard, I'm glad noise pollution is better than it used to be.

What's great about the design of the Omen PCs is that you can find them from so many sellers. Although CPUs and GPUs may vary, you'll always find the same motherboard, Kingston RAM, and WD storage.

Performance: The version of this PC we tested for review sports an RTX 4070 Super combined with a Ryzen 7 8700G processor. That is truly the epitome of a mid-range combination in this day and age, and one you can expect to deliver excellent, playable frame rates, regardless of the resolution you want to play at. It's these sorts of CPU and GPU pairings that make the mid-range market so competitive, and with HP's Omen 35L casting its net wide at so many retailers online, you're bound to get a good deal on one.

The best liquid cooled gaming PC

Our review configuration:

The Acer Predator Orion 7000 has been a mainstay of this list for a few years now, but the latest 2025 model shows what can happen when a hardware brand listens to feedback. The previous iteration of this machine was easily one of the loudest PC's I've ever gone hands-on with, and its cooling was pretty dire too. This new version, however, is one of the best and most efficient gaming PCs I've reviewed, and I didn't hear a peep out of its fans for the whole testing period.

Design & Features: Acer saw the feedback from the previous iterations of this PC and actually went back to the drawing board. It completely reworked the fan system, removing the walls between them to allow even more airflow into the chassis. It then increased the size and power of the AIO pump header, meaning more efficient, quieter performance all around.

While making those improvements, Acer has stayed true to the design language of previous Orion PCs, in fact, going even bolder with a Predator logo on the front now, too.

Annoyingly, the IO and connectivity feel a little stingy, and compared to other high-end PCs, you don't get nearly enough USB slots. I'd also liked to have seen a greater allowance for AMD parts, since this could have helped to bring the price down. Acer has started manufacturing its own AMD Radeon GPUs since the last Orion came out, so it would be really cool to see these used in pre-built PCs for a totally homegrown Acer machine.

Performance: Yes, more powerful parts mean a higher price, but the benefit is that you're going to get great performance. That's what I found when I tested the higher-end version of this machine that housed an RTX 5080 and Intel Core Ultra 7-256 processor. Granted, you can get up to an RTX 5090 and Ultra 9 processor, but judging by the price of the former, I think this is all gamers will really need for best-in-class gaming performance.

Again, I have to stress that the best thing about this PC is its quiet cooling. It's a night-and-day contrast from the last Predator Orion 7000, and is now up there with some of the best, coolest, and quietest systems I've tested.

The best custom built gaming PC

The problem with prebuilt gaming PCs is that you have very limited control over the parts that will pop up in your machine. Sure, you can opt for a better GPU or CPU, but that usually bolsters the price higher and often doesn't do anything to change the smaller aspects like the PSU, case, SSD, or cooling system. For folks who want control over the nitty gritty aspects of their PC, CyberPowerPC's custom build menus are the way to go.

Design & Features: This is one of those products that's hard to nail down in terms of how it looks and what it can do for you. I could tell you about the system that we reviewed, but in the end, it'll likely be different from the one you receive from CyberPowerPC if you use the brand's custom builder to its full potential.

So, instead, allow me to walk you through the shopping experience with this type of PC instead. When you visit CyberPowerPC's website, you'll have the choice between a few configurations that, while, could be fine to buy on their own, really only act as blank canvases for you to make your own. Hitting the "customise" button will take you to a new realm of possibilities where you can choose from a vast menu of components. You can change the fans, case, and even the motherboard. You can add extras like peripherals, displays, capture cards - it's a super conclusive builder that really lets you device where your money is going.

Performance: Naturally, that means that you can create some absolute powerhouses. The system we were sent for testing was built really well, with no cable clutter or mishaps. It also housed an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, as well as a Radeon RX 9070 XT. Of course, this led to some excellent all-round gaming performance and benchmarks that gave the NZXT Player Three from the US version of this guide a run for its money.

The best Alienware gaming PC

• Our favourite configuration:

It finally feels as though Alienware is turning a new leaf, and although the brand revealed a PC at CES 2025 that, for once, doesn't use proprietary parts, the journey toward convention began with the Aurora R16. We were thrilled to see this PC when it was first revealed, because it held onto the space theming this brand is known for while leaning more into a convenient, compact package that's far easier to grapple with. We weren't disappointed when we got our hands on it, because it's the best Alienware PC we've tested.

Design & Features: The last few iterations of the Aurora PC have had a tilted chassis design and a lot of quirks, which you'd expect from this brand. The R16 case is shaped like a regular-old gaming PC, although it's a smaller size than the majority of them. Nevertheless, it still has some out-of-this-world personality thanks to its clever ventilation and ambient lighting.

The Alienware Command Centre is still here to help you navigate all your games and adjust various settings. This app comes pre-installed and also helps you control RGB colors. You'll find all sorts of configurations available, with the ability to swap out parts on Dell's retail page so you can determine what area of the motherboard you want to spend the most on. Most of the time you'll find Intel's 14th generation of processors running the show alongside Nvidia 40 Series GPUs. DDR5 comes as standard though, and although it's a cheaper option, we'd try and steer clear of the builds that only pack a 500GB SSD. For how much you'll inevitably pay for one of this brand's PCs, you deserve more storage than that.

Performance: We wanted to see what kind of things this latest Alien spaceship was capable of, so we reviewed the top-end configuration that features an RTX 4090. We've gone hands-on with that GPU quite a lot by now, but paired with an Intel Core i9-13900K, it had a lot of room to gallop. Perhaps most impressively, the Aurora R16's Dyson-like fans managed to keep things cool and not too loud. The processor didn't peak past 90°C during our tests, which is great for a processor that we've seen get to boiling point in other rigs.

For some more detailed performance figures, check the graphs below. As you can imagine, there's not much an RTX 4090 and 13900 processor can't handle with ease.

The best handheld gaming PC

• Our favourite configuration:

By this point, you'll probably have heard about the Steam Deck. At this point, you'll probably have heard, or seen one of its rivals too, because they're coming from all angles at the moment. The best gaming handheld for us at the moment is the Asus ROG Ally. Although it's now got a more powerful sibling in the form of the Ally X, the Ally remains the best option for most PC players, since only the most power-hungry will be in need of the X's additional oomph.

Design & Features: You'll find a 7-inch, 120Hz display aboard the ROG Ally, and it can be operated with touch, or with handheld controls. Naturally, if you find a dock for it you'll be able to hook up a mouse and keyboard, or any other peripherals that are compatible with Windows systems. If you know of the Nintendo Switch, you'll be familiar with the design here, although it's not locked to only Nintendo accessories, and there aren't detachable controllers on either side.

The ROG Ally runs on an AMD APU, which is a combined GPU and CPU. The architecture is very similar to those found in laptops, and it's more than enough to kick great gaming performance out to a small display you can take with you to work. There are two back buttons to help you control things as well and a handy version of Armory Crate to collate all of your gaming libraries into one menu.

Performance: If you don't believe that a portable PC is capable of keeping up with today's games, you might be shocked to learn that the ROG Ally can run games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 60fps, and that's using the same resolution as the Steam Deck. In full 1080p, you'll be able to scale settings to fidelity or performance as you would on a console, but it's no lie that this type of gadget has a lot of power up its sleeves.

The ROG Ally is our pick for best portable gaming PC right now because it packs a lot of power while granting all the same Windows 11 benefits your normal PC would. It's extremely versatile in that way, although that does mean it isn't as well optimized for portable play as SteamOS is.

Best gaming PCs - frequently asked questions

Best gaming PCs: Glossary

How we test gaming PCs

For a full rundown of how we test gaming PCs, you can click the link, or check out our full hardware policy. But in case you're curious, I'll give you a brief rundown here. Before we come to a verdict and write up a review, gaming PCs that are sent to us go through some rigorous testing. We'll make PCs sweat to see what they're like when they're working harder than most people will actually require them to because it gives us a benchmark of what each computer is like when it works all out. But that's only one part of the testing process, and the majority of our assessment is done by living with the technology as if it were our own.

That means using it like we would our own PCs. Playing games, working on, creating content on, and using whatever review product we have in for whatever we're up to. This can result in some demanding use in its own right. Using VPNs to navigate all the biggest US stores to find the best deals, or creating content and trying to squeeze every drop of performance out of the new games we're playing.

Then, the formal testing begins. Software benchmarks using industry-standard programs are often the best way to kick things off because we want to test each of the components in turn to paint a picture of what could be holding it back, or what's working overtime. To test the CPU, we'll use Cinebench, to test the RAM, we'll check out some numbers and XMP profiles in the BIOS, as well as CPU-Z. SSD testing is done with CrystalDiskMark, and we use 3DMark to run a PC through its gaming paces.

Then, it's onto our suite of demanding benchmarking games. These are Hitman World of Assassination, Total War: Warhammer 3, Returnal, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Cyberpunk 2077. We use these titles, not only because they give systems a particularly hard time to run, but because they come with their own benchmarking tests integrated into settings menus. We use these because they provide a standardized, fair examination of how each rig compares to another. We'll collect results from running these at different resolutions, with maximum settings, and toggle things like ray tracing and DLSS.

If you are looking to build, you might want to know more about the best CPUs for gaming, the best graphics cards, and the best RAM for gaming.

Making the jump to a more expensive laptop can be a daunting prospect. The cost. The hassle. Am I being ripped off? Thankfully, the best RTX 3070 laptop deals on the market can offer some real bargains at the minute. Memorial Day may have come and gone but here's how to save big on a premium rig. 

Not to mention, as new waves of processors and RAM hit the web in 2023, we're seeing those costs fall even further than ever before. These machines are regularly available with some serious cash off the final price, and particularly strong offers can even bring us close to $1,000 / £1,000. 

RTX 3070 laptops are generally considered some of the best gaming laptops on the market right now - balancing an enthusiast's level of power with a price tag that doesn't need to move past the $2,000 mark. Brands like Gigabyte, MSI, and Alienware tend to be the most popular models out there, with most retailers shaving a couple of hundred dollars or pounds off their prices from week to week. 

For our part, we'll be bringing you all the best RTX 3070 laptop deals available right now, keeping this page well-stocked with all the latest offers and weeding out the discounts that aren't worth your time. That means we're bringing you all the machines that are seeing record-low prices right now, as well as configurations that are seeing unusually high discounts.

RTX 3070 Gaming Laptop Deals - US

RTX 3070 Laptop Deals - UK

We're also showing you where to buy RTX 3070 by itself and rounding up the best RTX 3050 laptop deals if you're browsing a little cheaper. If you're browsing by brand, though, you can also find all the latest cheap Razer laptop deals and cheap Alienware laptop deals as well. 

Looking to get into the PC gaming market but don't want to spend big? The cheapest RTX 3050 laptop deals are the ones to look out for. Now that the 40-series is widely available across the market, getting an entry-level budget rid is much more obtainable without the need to break the bank. 

We often see cheaper rigs going for as little as $700 and under these days, which means those on the hunt for a starter model in 2023 should absolutely be taking advantage of the latest price drops. 

With so many different models on the shelves - each offering a slightly different value proposition - it can be difficult to work out where to start. That's where we come in. We've been tracking gaming laptop deals for years now, so we know a good price when we see one. You'll find all our top picks for the best RTX 3050 laptop deals just below, and we keep this page well-stocked with new models every week. 

It's important to note that picking up an RTX 3050 laptop means you won't exactly be getting the best gaming laptop configuration on the market. This is Nvidia's entry-level card, so you won't be getting the best possible visuals out of your games. However, RTX 3080 laptops and RTX 3070 laptops can run up quite a bill, so if you're happy with dropping your fps a little, you can find some excellent value a little further down the price bracket. Plus, you're still picking up the latest generation here, so you're future-proofed for updates to come.

RTX 3050 laptop deals in the US

RTX 3050 laptop deals in the UK

While not as fierce around the RTX 3050, many are wondering where to buy RTX 3060 graphics cards these days, as well as where to buy RTX 3070 GPUs as well. RTX 3080 stock is particularly difficult to get your hands on. 

That makes building your own machine a little tricky, which is why we're also rounding up all the latest RTX 3060 PC, RTX 3070 PC, and RTX 3080 PC deals on the shelves right now. If you're really looking to push the boat out, you'll also find a selection of RTX 3090 PC deals up for grabs. 

Taking full advantage of 4th of July laptop sales is a sure-fire way to save on your dream system, especially if you've been eyeing up a specific model for a while. Sure, the event isn't the only event that'll help you achieve this in 2024, and it's not even the only deal day this month. However, the holiday can produce some surprising discounts on a range of options, and we're hard at work digging for bargains so that you don't have to.

So far, we're seeing plenty of general use machines and gaming rigs pop up in the 4th of July laptop sales. Whether you're looking for a minimalist Chromebook, a Macbook, or something that'll run a chunk of your Steam library, there are plenty of deals to go around. We're even seeing some of the best gaming laptops with shiny new Nvidia GPUs drop to record lows, some of which beat previous Black Friday prices.

We've been tracking 4th of July laptop sales for years now, while also watching other discounting events as well. That means we know a good deal when we spot one, and we know exactly where to find them. We're bringing you all our favorite offers now that the official discounts are live, while getting you prepped for this year's sale further down the page. 

Of course, if these early discounts don't yield any results, there are also Prime Day laptop deals heading our way later on in the month as well. 

Quick links

Today's best laptop deals

• Amazon: HP from $184.98
• Best Buy: Lenovo from $329.99
• Dell: up to $250 off Inspiron
• HP: up to $450 off Pavilion
• Lenovo: up to 70% off
• Walmart: Chromebooks from $149

Today's best gaming laptop deals

• RTX 30-Series: 3080 rigs from $1,064 at Amazon
• RTX 4050: from $749.99 at Best Buy
• RTX 4060: from $899.99 at Dell
• RTX 4070: from $1,049.99 at Best Buy
• RTX 4080: from $1,699 at Amazon
• RTX 4090: from $2,599.99 at Best Buy

Today's best 4th of July laptop deals

FAQ

Looking for more offers? We're also getting you prepped for the upcoming Prime Day laptop deals and Prime Day gaming laptop deals - all landing on July 12, so you've got another shot at a discount this month. If you'd prefer a handheld, you'll also want to swing by the Prime Day Steam Deck deals and Prime Day Asus ROG Ally deals for excellent portable PC discounts.

Newegg's gaming laptop deals often offer up some incredible savings on high-spec machines. However, if you're after a mid-range model packed with power, we'd recommend checking out this 17.3-inch Lenovo Legion 5. 

There's only $64 off the original $1,064 price, but the resulting $999.99 cost is well worth it considering there's an RTX 3060 GPU under the hood, 16GB RAM, and a massive 1TB SSD. Those aren't specs we see at under $1,000 every day - especially not in a larger machine like this. This is because gaming laptop deals offering this kind of power usually hit $1,299 at the very least. 

In fact, we rarely see RTX 3060 laptop deals dropping below that four-figure threshold. That means you're getting a double-whammy of value right now - a more than capable GPU and plenty of storage to make the most of it. 

If you're looking to upgrade, though, we'd stick with Newegg and take a look at this RTX 3080 Gigabyte Aorus model. You're saving $800 all told here, leaving us with a stunning $1,599 sales price. That's the lowest we've seen on an RTX 3080 laptop of this quality in quite some time. 

You'll find more information on these offers just below, and more discounts on some of the best gaming laptops on the market further down the page.

Today's best gaming laptop deals at Newegg

More of today's best gaming laptop deals

If Newegg's discounts aren't looking too hot, we're also rounding up all the lowest prices on some of our top picks just below. 

We're also rounding up all the best Alienware laptops and the best Razer laptops if you're on the hunt for a specific brand, as well as the week's best RTX 3050 laptop deals. 

Prominent leak-smith Evan Blass has just revealed specs for the new Lenovo Legion Phone 3 Elite and Pro gaming phones, and if these dreams come true there's some serious power heading our way. The latest leak comes after earlier reports on the 'Lenovo Legion Y90' revealed the flagship would feature 18GB RAM and a 144Hz AMOLED display. Considering the specs of this recent Legion Phone 3 leak seem to line up with the former, these could be the same devices named for different regions. 

Today's leak puts the Lenovo Legion Phone 3 Elite and Pro models well above even the best gaming phones of today. That rumored 18GB RAM has popped up again, and the 640GB of storage that was leaked earlier last week looks like a split drive of 512GB + 128GB SSD. Those are some significant features that all line up with previous assessments, pointing towards an even greater chance that Lenovo has something seriously powerful up its sleeve. 

Blass's latest leak has also corroborated previous reports that the new gaming phones will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, but adds detail around a 68W fast-charging battery and dual USB-C ports. New renders of the phone also reveal possible shoulder keys, rear capacitive touch pads, RGB back lighting, and a pressure-sensitive display.

Lenovo first teased its upcoming gaming phone at the start of the month, providing snapshots of a device that lines up neatly with this latest render leak. We still have no information concerning a release window or potential price point, but we wouldn't expect these devices to be particularly budget-friendly.

If you're after a larger display, take a look at the best gaming tablets on the market right now. Or go all out with the best gaming laptops and best gaming PCs. 

The Lenovo Legion Y90 is shaping up to be one of the best gaming phones on the market this year, if a recent spec leak by trusted Chinese tipster is to be believed. User @Pandaisbald has unleashed a wave of topline specs on Weibo, a Chinese micro-blogging site, this weekend with some impressive news to report. 

With 18GB of physical RAM (and another 4GB virtual), a 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, dual-fan liquid cooling, and up to 640GB of storage, the latest spec leak is certainly making some big promises. Lenovo has already staked its claim to the high end gaming phone market earlier in the week, teasing the new shoulder buttons set for release with the device. 

If true, these specs herald in a new era of mobile gaming. A 144Hz AMOLED display is a meteoric jump from the 90Hz - 120Hz we've come to expect on the latest and greatest devices, and the attention paid to keeping that Snapdragon chipset cool will set a new standard for stacked handsets. 

A gaming phone built to compete

Lenovo is coming after Asus's lunch here. A built-in cooling system sounds a lot more promising than the external fan cases Asus shipped with its ROG Phone line, and with physical trigger buttons replacing ROG's touch sensitive pads things are looking a little more tactile in Lenovo's corner. If the Lenovo Legion Y90 spec leak rings true, then, Asus may finally have some competition in this niche but growing space. 

The Lenovo Legion line spans everything from gaming laptops and gaming PCs to gaming monitors and smaller peripherals. With both the upcoming Legion Y700 gaming tablet and the Y90 phone still waiting for release dates, the brand is poised to attack the mobile space with the same breadth. 

If you're after more thumb-twitching action, we'd recommend checking out the best Android games and the best iOS games as well. 

The gaming laptop deals at Best Buy have continued to impress with exceptional RTX 3050 laptop deals selling for some of their historically lowest-ever prices today from just $999.99. 

The Lenovo Legion 5 RTX 3050 model is a particular highlight of the gaming laptop deals available as it is currently selling for $999.99 (reduced from $1,150) which is its lowest-ever recorded price point. We should stress that it's hit this discount a few times in the past year or so, but the Lenovo Legion 5 isn't a gaming laptop that tends to hang around too long; it normally sells out in a couple of days - if that. 

On the higher-end side of things, the Asus ROG 16-inch equipped with an RTX 3050 Ti is discounted down to $1,199.99 (from its $1,450 MSRP) where it's at its lowest-ever recorded price. We've only seen one other instance of it receiving a price cut this year, and that was over a four-day period at the end of August for $1,249.99.

Today's best gaming laptop deals 

These are some of the better offers that we've come across this side of the Black Friday gaming laptop deals, and we should emphasize that neither the Lenovo Legion 5 nor the Asus ROG 16 are covered by the price guarantee, so if you're after them we advise you act sooner rather than later to avoid any potential disappointment. It's currently unknown whether or not the models, or similar ones like them, will appear over the Winter sales, so don't delay.

More of today's best laptop deals

Our price comparison software works 24/7 to bring you the best prices on some of our favorite gaming laptop models this side of the Winter sales events. 

Save more money next month in the Black Friday laptop deals for stellar deals on ultrabooks and workhorses. 

Best Buy is currently running a sale on Lenovo brand laptops, where you can save up to $400 on the high-end Yoga line of 2-in-1 ultrabooks for a limited time only. 

Equipped with either an i5 or i7 11th-generation Evo chipset, and fuelled by Intel Iris Xe graphics, these flexible computers will do more than bend over backward to meet your workload; especially given the fact that they feature touchscreen functionality for added versatility. 

What's more, the dedicated memory in these machines ensures that they're more than capable to run RAM-crunching processes - so you people with lots of Google Chrome tabs open rejoice. 

Keep in mind, if you've been on the hunt for the best gaming laptops then you may need to look elsewhere, but if you're all about enterprising and maximising your workflow for a great price, these are all extremely capable computers. 

If you're eager for the best deal on some portable powerhouses, our roundup on some great cheap gaming laptop deals is sure to satisfy. 

Now that you're acquainted with all things portable, why not ensure that your desk is up to scratch with the best wireless gaming mouse as well as the best gaming keyboard and best gaming monitor. 

Lenovo and NEC have revealed a concept for the Lavie Mini, which essentially looks like a cross between a laptop and a Nintendo Switch. 

Lenovo's prototype device was revealed before the tech showcase CES 2021 is due to take place next week. As Tom's Guide details, the Lavie Mini packs an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics, with an 8-inch touchscreen. Compact and small in size, the Lavie Mini is also lightweight to add to its portability factor, weighing in at just 579g / 1.28lb. 

The most interesting thing about it, though, is the way it can transform into a gaming device, not unlike the Nintendo Switch. Switching up from your standard laptop setup, the Lavie Mini's keyboard can be tucked away and two game controllers can be attached to either side of the screen in the same way as Joy-Cons. The device also comes with a docking station, so you can play your games on a TV if you want to take a break from the 8-inch display. 

No release date has been announced for the device yet since it's currently a conceptual prototype for the time being, but if anyone is after a Switch that's more like a PC/laptop, the Lavie Mini could just be the answer you're looking for if it becomes a reality.  

CES 2021 is set to start next week on January 11 and will take place over several days until January 14. During the annual tech showcase, which will be all-digital this year, you can expect to see announcements for all sorts of new and upcoming tech. 

Looking to the year ahead? Here's our roundup of all of the upcoming new games 2021. 

Saving money on a premium gaming laptop deal is often like seeing a unicorn: it never happens. However, we can provide an exquisite option for both our US and UK readership that will save you a sizeable chunk on a quality gaming machine from Lenovo.

By using the code SAVE15NOW our US readers can save 15% on most Lenovo Legion machines Stateside, while in the UK our exclusive code FUTURE15 will save you the same amount on Lenovo Legion gaming machines. This is a great deal as we really think Lenovo's Legion machines are some of the best going. In fact, we rate them so much, one of Lenovo's models is on our best gaming laptop guide - head there to check out how it stacks up against the competition.

• Get 15% off in the US on most Legion gaming laptops and desktops with code SAVE15NOW 
• Save 15% in the UK on the Lenovo Legion Y740 15-inch laptop with code FUTURE15
• Save 15% in the UK on the Lenovo Legion Y740 17-inch laptop with code FUTURE15
• Enjoy 15% off in the UK on Lenovo ThinkPad T495 laptops with code FUTURE15

These are premium machines so we can't really classify them as gaming laptops deals in the bargain-hunting sense, but the value is certainly good for what you get. The Lenovo Legion models are some of the best portable gaming machines - giving the likes of Razer laptops a run for their money - they offer premium component selection with a very high level of build quality and design - yet manage to stay away from the mad prices we can see some gaming machines get to. The UK offerings are all ray-tracing capable beasts so getting 15% off those is a welcome price cut, and in the US, you can select anything from a great value 1650-card powered laptop, right up to a monster of a desktop in the T730 which will rip through and games, making it the perfect modern gaming machine.

It's worth mentioning that you can also use the code FUTURE15 in the UK on a range of Lenovo ThinkPad machines. These powerful work and home machines won't have you blazing through games but if you're looking for something that's perfect for school, college, or working from home that has Lenovo's stamp of quality on it, then these are the perfect machines for you. Considering you can get the £799.99 model for just £680 after the discount, these machines are veritable bargains with the discount code.

Want to see how these compare to the more static machines you can get? Check out our guide to the best gaming PCs here.