The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Choose the Lenovo Legion Go 2 if you want the largest, fastest-refresh display and genuinely detachable controls for tabletop or FPS-style play. Choose the ASUS ROG Ally X (2024, model RC72LA) if you prefer a lighter, conventional handheld and put more weight on its larger 80Wh battery and the longer gaming-battery result reported by Tom’s Guide.
These are different designs rather than interchangeable specifications. Lenovo’s Legion Go 8AHP2 (the consumer page calls it Legion Go Gen 2 or Legion Go 2) emphasizes screen area and flexibility; ASUS’s 2024 Ally X emphasizes a familiar integrated layout, higher-rated battery capacity and a lower observed US price. Compare the exact memory, storage and regional configuration before treating either as the better value.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Lenovo Legion Go 2 (Legion Go 8AHP2) | ASUS ROG Ally X (2024, RC72LA) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows handheld PC (Lenovo specification) | Windows handheld PC (ASUS specification) |
| Display | 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen, 1920×1200, 144Hz | 7-inch Full HD touchscreen, 120Hz, FreeSync Premium |
| Processor listed by manufacturer | AMD Ryzen Z2 | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Memory | 16GB or 32GB soldered; not upgradeable | Up to 24GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage options listed | 512GB or 1TB PCIe 4.0; M.2 2280 slot | Up to 2TB |
| Battery rating | 74Wh | 80Wh |
| Controls | Detachable controllers, built-in kickstand, touchpad and FPS mode | Integrated handheld controls |
| Weight | Approximately 920g (2.03lb) with controllers attached | Numeric comparison not stated in the cited ASUS material; verify the exact listing |
| Observed US pricing | $1,099 starting price; $1,349 for Tom’s Guide’s tested configuration in 2025 | $799.99 displayed on ASUS’s US product page when consulted in 2026 |
Lenovo figures come from the Legion Go 8AHP2 Product Specifications Reference dated August 4, 2026. ASUS figures come from the US ROG Ally X (2024) RC72LA product page consulted in 2026. The prices are snapshots, not promises of current stock or street pricing.
Recommended Free Tools
First, identify the models correctly
Legion Go 2 is the Legion Go 8AHP2
Lenovo’s consumer branding uses “Legion Go Gen 2” and “Legion Go 2,” while the specification document uses model code 8AHP2. Use that code when checking a retailer listing, warranty record or replacement part. The specification sheet describes 16GB and 32GB versions, 512GB and 1TB PCIe 4.0 drive options and an M.2 2280 slot.
#1 Best Overall
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
Ally X in this comparison is the 2024 RC72LA
The ASUS device here is specifically the ROG Ally X (2024), RC72LA. It is not the separately named ROG Xbox Ally X. Listings that omit the year or model code can refer to a different product, so confirm RC72LA before comparing a price or specification.
Display: the Legion is for immersion; the Ally X is for compactness
Legion Go 2: 8.8-inch OLED at 1920×1200 and 144Hz
The Legion’s 8.8-inch OLED panel is the defining hardware choice. Its 1920×1200 resolution gives a little more vertical workspace than a conventional 16:9 Full HD panel, and the 144Hz refresh-rate ceiling can make supported games and desktop scrolling look smoother. OLED provides the contrast characteristics buyers usually seek for dark scenes and cinematic games.
The larger panel also changes how the device feels in the hand. Text, strategy-game interfaces and streamed desktops are easier to see without enlarging them as aggressively, but the screen adds to the device’s physical size. Running a game at the panel’s native resolution can also demand more from the graphics hardware than lowering the resolution for higher frame rates.
Ally X: 7-inch Full HD at 120Hz with FreeSync Premium
The Ally X uses a 7-inch Full HD touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium. It is a smaller viewing area, but 1920×1080 is a familiar target for PC games and video output. Variable-refresh support can help smooth uneven frame delivery when a game’s frame rate moves around its target.
Neither display specification guarantees a particular frame rate. Actual results depend on the game, graphics settings, power mode, driver version and the selected resolution. Treat 144Hz versus 120Hz as a display capability, not a promise that every title will render at either rate.
Controls and play positions
Why the Legion’s detachable design matters
Lenovo supplies detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand. You can use the unit as a conventional handheld, remove the controllers for tabletop play, or place it on a desk and use its FPS mode. A touchpad and the controller arrangement are intended to make mouse-oriented games more practical than a basic gamepad layout.
Rank #2
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
Tabletop mode is useful when the device is too heavy to hold for a long session, when two people need to see the display, or when you want to connect another input device. FPS mode is aimed at games where a mouse-like pointing action is more comfortable than an analog stick. Detaching the controls also introduces more parts to store and charge, and it is one more mechanism to check for wear or connection problems over time.
Why the Ally X feels more conventional
The 2024 Ally X keeps an integrated handheld layout. There is no detachable-controller or built-in-stand workflow in the cited ASUS specification. That simplicity suits players who always play in their hands and do not want to manage separate controllers. It also means you should plan on a separate stand or dock for desk use.
Choose the Legion’s control system when tabletop and FPS modes are central to your routine. Choose the Ally X when you want the least complicated path from picking up the device to playing with a standard integrated control layout.
Battery: capacity and runtime point in the same direction, but are not the same measurement
Manufacturer ratings
Lenovo lists a 74Wh battery for the Legion Go 8AHP2. Its specification estimates up to 15 hours of local 1080p video playback at 150 nits under Lenovo’s stated test methods. Lenovo also warns that configuration, software, wireless use, power settings and brightness change actual battery life. A video-playback estimate is not a gaming-runtime promise.
ASUS lists an 80Wh battery for the 2024 Ally X. Watt-hours describe stored energy; they do not account for every difference in display size, processor behavior, firmware, brightness or game load.
Tom’s Guide gaming-battery result
In Tom’s Guide’s PCMark 10 gaming-battery test, conducted on its review units in 2025, the Legion Go 2 lasted 2 hours 15 minutes. The ASUS ROG Ally X lasted 3 hours 14 minutes under that publication’s protocol. These are observed results from those units and settings, not guaranteed runtime for every retail configuration or game.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Web-surfing result
The same review reported 10 hours 45 minutes for the Legion Go 2 and 8 hours 19 minutes for the ROG Ally X in continuous web-surfing tests at 150 nits. That reversal shows why a single battery number cannot settle the comparison: the workload, refresh behavior and software power management matter. Use the gaming result when estimating unplugged play, and treat the web result as a separate light-use observation.
If long gaming sessions away from an outlet are your priority, the Ally X has both the higher rated capacity and the longer result in this particular gaming test. If you mostly stream video or browse, do not assume the gaming ranking will carry over to your workload.
Processor, memory and storage: compare the SKU, not the badge
Different Ryzen labels do not establish a winner
Lenovo lists an AMD Ryzen Z2 for the Legion Go 8AHP2. ASUS lists an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme for the 2024 Ally X. Those names belong to different configurations and generations; they are not enough to predict which device will deliver more frames in a particular game. The cited material does not provide a controlled, same-game benchmark across every available configuration.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For a meaningful performance decision, compare the exact device’s power limits, memory amount, driver state and in-game settings. A model with a higher specification can still perform differently if it is running a lower power mode or a different resolution.
Memory is a major buying decision
Lenovo offers 16GB or 32GB of soldered memory, and the PSREF states that it is not upgradeable. Decide how much you need at purchase; you cannot replace the memory later. The ASUS page identifies up to 24GB of LPDDR5X. Confirm the amount in the specific RC72LA listing rather than assuming every Ally X has the maximum.
Storage and expansion
Lenovo lists 512GB and 1TB PCIe 4.0 configurations and an M.2 2280 slot. The slot means the factory drive options are not necessarily the limit of compatible replacement capacities, but compatibility, thermal clearance and warranty procedures should be checked in the service documentation before upgrading. The microSD reader provides another route for a game library; no maximum supported card capacity was established in the cited specifications.
Rank #4
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
ASUS lists storage configurations up to 2TB and describes removable-storage support. Verify whether a listing’s capacity is internal SSD storage or an included removable card, and check the exact replacement and card requirements before buying accessories.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSize and comfort
Legion Go 2 weight and grip
Lenovo specifies approximately 920g (2.03lb) with the controllers attached. Tom’s Guide described the rounded grips as comfortable but noted that the weight can become tiring during long handheld sessions. Removing the controllers or using the kickstand changes the way you carry that mass, but it does not make the handheld configuration lighter than the published figure when both controllers are attached.
Ally X dimensions require a like-for-like check
The cited ASUS material does not provide a numeric weight suitable for a head-to-head statement here. Check the current RC72LA product listing for weight and dimensions before making a portability decision. In practical terms, the Ally X’s smaller 7-inch display and integrated controls make it the more compact style of device, while the Legion trades compactness for its larger panel and detachable hardware.
Consider your typical session length rather than only a specification sheet. A desk, stand or tabletop setup favors the Legion’s design; commuting, couch play and frequent one-handed repositioning favor the smaller, integrated approach.
Windows software access and the handheld interface
Both cited configurations are Windows handheld PCs. That gives you access to Windows PC storefronts, launchers, peripherals and applications instead of restricting you to a single console ecosystem. It also brings the ordinary Windows desktop to a small touchscreen.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTom’s Guide found navigating Windows 11 with controller inputs awkward and noted that users may need the touchscreen or a stick-controlled cursor. That is the reviewer’s experience, not a universal verdict for every owner, but it identifies a real trade-off: installing a launcher, changing a driver or dismissing a desktop dialog can feel slower than using a console interface.
Best Value
- XBOX EXPERIENCE BROUGHT TO LIFE BY ROG The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- XBOX GAME BAR INTEGRATION Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- ALL YOUR GAMES, ALL YOUR PROGRESS Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- NEVER STOP GAMING Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- GAME-READY STORAGE AND FAST MEMORY Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Plan to use touch, an on-screen keyboard and a cursor-control shortcut. A dock, external mouse or keyboard can make setup and desktop maintenance easier. The Legion’s touchpad and detachable/FPS modes offer additional input options; the Ally X’s integrated controls keep the hardware simpler but do not remove Windows’ desktop-oriented interactions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price and value: use dated, regional comparisons
Tom’s Guide reported a $1,099 starting price for the Legion Go 2 and $1,349 for the configuration it tested in its 2025 review. ASUS’s US product page displayed $799.99 for the 2024 ROG Ally X when consulted in 2026. Those figures refer to observed US listings at different times and may reflect different memory or storage configurations, promotions and stock conditions.
Do not call one device universally cheaper without checking the current local listings. Compare:
- the exact RAM amount (16GB, 24GB or 32GB);
- internal SSD capacity (512GB, 1TB or up to 2TB);
- whether a sale price is temporary;
- warranty and return terms in your region; and
- the cost of a case, dock, charger or additional storage you actually need.
A lower price on a smaller-storage configuration is not a direct value comparison with a larger-memory Legion. Conversely, the Legion’s premium can be rational if you will use the OLED display, detachable controls and stand frequently rather than leaving those features unused.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the Lenovo Legion Go 2 when:
- You want an 8.8-inch OLED screen for immersive games, strategy interfaces or desktop use.
- You will use detachable controllers, tabletop play, the built-in kickstand or FPS mode.
- You want the option of 32GB soldered memory and understand that it must be selected at purchase.
- You value a touchpad and multiple physical ways to interact with Windows.
- You accept approximately 920g with controllers attached and the possibility of fatigue during long handheld sessions.
Choose the ASUS ROG Ally X (2024) when:
- You prefer a smaller 7-inch handheld with integrated controls.
- Unplugged gaming is a high priority and the 80Wh battery matters to you.
- The lower US page-displayed price is still present in your region for a like-for-like configuration.
- You want up to 24GB LPDDR5X and up to 2TB listed storage, subject to the exact SKU.
- You do not need detachable controllers, a built-in kickstand or a dedicated FPS mode.
Consider another option or wait when:
- You need a guaranteed same-game performance advantage; the cited sources do not provide a controlled benchmark covering every configuration.
- You require a console-style interface with no Windows desktop friction.
- You are buying on a strict budget but have not yet checked current regional prices and stock.
A practical buying checklist
- Confirm the model code. For Lenovo, look for Legion Go 8AHP2. For ASUS, look for ROG Ally X (2024), RC72LA. Reject listings that use only a vague “Ally X” name if the model is not shown.
- Record the exact configuration. Write down RAM, SSD capacity, processor designation and the seller’s regional part number before comparing prices.
- Match the display to your games. Select the Legion’s 8.8-inch 1920×1200 OLED if screen size and contrast are priorities; select the Ally X’s 7-inch 1080p 120Hz FreeSync Premium panel if a smaller handheld is preferable.
- Budget for your play position. The Legion includes detachable controllers and a kickstand. The integrated Ally X layout may require a separate stand or dock for comfortable desk play.
- Estimate your real battery workload. Use the cited gaming test only as a reference point, and expect different results at your brightness, resolution, power mode and game settings.
- Check upgrade and storage plans. Legion memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded; verify SSD and microSD compatibility. Confirm the Ally X storage and removable-media details for the exact listing.
- Verify the final price immediately before purchase. Sale windows, regional taxes, availability and configuration changes can make the observed US figures obsolete.
Bottom line
The Legion Go 2 is the specialist choice for a big OLED display and flexible play positions. Its detachable controllers, kickstand and FPS mode give it capabilities the integrated Ally X does not target, but you carry a heavier device and pay more in the cited US examples.
The 2024 ROG Ally X is the more straightforward handheld recommendation for buyers who value a conventional layout, an 80Wh battery and the longer PCMark 10 gaming-battery result recorded by Tom’s Guide. Its 7-inch screen is smaller, and it does not offer the Legion’s detachable-control setup.
Make the final decision using the exact RC72LA or 8AHP2 configuration available where you live. The screen and control design determine how you will use the device every session; battery capacity and a single review test are useful evidence, but neither replaces checking the current SKU, price and stock.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
