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Every day it feels like there's a new handheld gaming PC hitting the market. But instead of churning out yet another Windows-based rival for the Steam Deck, Lenovo is putting its spin on the category with the Legion Go. It combines top-notch performance with a huge OLED display and borrows some design traits from the Nintendo Switch. The result is a powerful though somewhat bulky $700 gaming machine that also offers some hidden tricks.Design and display: An XL gaming handheldPacking a 2,560 x 1,600 8.8-inch OLED display, the Legion Go has one of the largest, if not the largest screens on any gaming handheld today. But it's not just big, because with a 144Hz refresh rate, it's rather speedy and thanks to a peak brightness of around 500 nits, it's pretty vibrant too. This makes the panel a great centerpiece for Lenovo's handheld. The only thing it's missing is full variable refresh rate support (VRR).Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetFlanking its display are a pair of controllers that can be detached just like with the Nintendo Switch. The two highlights are a built-in touchpad for smoothly mousing around Windows and Hall effect joysticks that are just a touch more responsive and accurate than on ASUS' ROG Ally or Valve's Steam Deck. Elsewhere, the Legion Go features an Xbox-style button layout complemented by four rear paddles and a kickstand so you can easily prop the system up when needed.The whole package feels rather sturdy even when you factor in its removable controllers (though detaching them does take a little practice as they slide down and outwards instead of up like on the Switch). You even get two USB-C ports (both of which support USB 4), which is one than on its rivals, plus a microSD card slot for expandable storage. My two small gripes are that the touchpad doesn't support haptics or the ability to press down on it. This means you have to perform more of a quick tap to simulate a traditional left click while not having an easy shortcut for right-clicking. I also wish the Legion Go had a fingerprint sensor like the ROG Ally, as that would make unlocking the device faster and easier.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetBut that's not all, because on the bottom of the right controller, there's a toggle that lets you activate FPS mode. When you flip this switch and then slot the controller into Lenovo's bundled puck, it turns the controller into a vertical mouse, at which point you can play FPS games (hence the name of the switch) with even greater precision, assuming you're into that kind of thing. However, for someone like me who isn't a huge fan of shooters, I find this setup is better simply for navigating through Windows, especially for anyone planning to hook this up to an external monitor and keyboard and use it like a desktop. Lenovo even included a little wheel on the right controller so you can quickly scroll through docs and web pages.The downside to Lenovo's XL-sized design is that since it weighs 1.88 pounds and measures 11.76 inches across, the Legion Go is noticeably larger and bulkier than both the ROG Ally and the Steam Deck. That said, none of the current crop of gaming handhelds are what I'd call pocketable, so you're still going to have to toss any of them in a separate bag for traveling. And to Lenovo's credit, the Legion Go comes with a case that has a clever cutout that lets you snake in a power cord so you can charge it while it's nestled safely inside. Meanwhile, the ROG Ally doesn't come with at case at all.Performance: Big power that needs some optimizingPhoto by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetThe Legion Go is based on an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor along with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. This is the same chip and amount of memory as the top-spec ROG Ally, and as you'd expect performance is very similar and about as good as it gets among current handheld gaming PCs. You can play major AAA releases like Elden Ring and Starfield, though if you're dead set on hitting 60 fps, you will need to fiddle around with graphics settings.Like the ROG Ally, the Legion Go offers a range of preset performance modes (Quiet, Balanced and Performance) and a custom setting that allows users to select a TDP (thermal design power) ranging from 5 to 30 watts. The issue is that since the Legion Go was released more recently, Lenovo hasn't had as much time as ASUS to refine its software and drivers. Unfortunately, this meant that when I tried to benchmark both systems at 25 watts, I ran into an issue where framerates on the Legion Go fell far short of expectations. When I reached out to Lenonvo, I was told this is a known bug with the current software build and should be addressed in an upcoming patch. Thankfully, after I installed some beta drivers and a BIOS update (which are expected to be officially released sometime in the coming weeks), framerates jumped back up to levels that matched the ROG Ally.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetIn Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p and medium settings with FSR set to Performance, at 15 watts the Legion Go hit 45 fps, essentially matching the ROG Ally's 46 fps at the same power level. And when set to 25 watts, both systems remained close, with the Legion Go pulling ahead slightly with 74 fps versus 71 fps for the ASUS. Notably, Valve's OLED Steam Deck beat both systems at 15 watts in Cyberpunk 2077, hitting 53 fps, though because it doesn't have a higher power setting, it still falls short in terms of overall performance.Software: barebones but functionalOne of the big knocks against Windows-based handhelds is that Microsoft's OS still feels clunky when you're not playing games. This is still the case here, though Lenovo tries to address that with its Legion Space app, which serves as a one-stop shop for tweaking performance, customizing the system's RGB lighting or quickly launching titles. It's functional, but it also feels half-baked. Things like performance modes aren't properly labeled, so there's no clear indication that Performance mode on the Legion Go means a TDP of 20 watts instead of 25 like on the ROG Ally. And while the app makes it easy to see all of your installed games across various services like Steam, Epic and others, the tab for Android Games is simply a link to download the Amazon App Store. But the most annoying thing is if you want to buy games directly inside Legion Space, clicking the Game Store tab brings you to a page that kind of looks like Steam but is actually run by a different third-party retailer in Gamesplanet. Now, this isn't a knock against Gamesplanet itself because the service does provide a legit way to buy new titles, but purchasing game keys and then needing to enter them in a separate app is kind of awkward and confusing.Battery lifePhoto by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetOne of the concerns with having big performance in a handheld is the impact that has on battery life. However, Lenovo has done its best to counteract that with a large 49.2Wh battery (versus 40Wh on the ROG Ally). The result is a system that lasts between an hour and a half to three hours depending on the game you're playing and your power settings. At 15 watts, the Legion comes up short against the Steam Deck, which still reigns supreme in terms of efficiency with runtimes of over two hours. But when compared to the ASUS machine, the Legion Go typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes longer when playing the same title.Wrap-upThe Legion Go is an interesting take on a handheld gaming PC. With its kickstand and detachable controllers, it's appropriated the adaptability that Nintendo introduced on the Switch. But Lenovo took things further with a built-in touchpad and a clever FPS mode that makes the system easier to use as a PC. And capping things off is a gorgeous 8.8-inch OLED display that makes the Legion Go's potent performance shine.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetOn the flipside, its bulk feels like it's pushing the definition of a handheld device. Any bigger and you might as well carry around a thin-and-light gaming laptop and a dedicated controller. And while Lenovo's beta software addresses some of the performance hangups I ran into, the Legion Go isn't going to reach its full potential until its software is properly optimized, which might not happen for another month or two.In a lot of ways, the Legion Go is like a super-sized alternative to the ROG Ally. What it lacks in portability it more than makes up for in flexibility. Between its dual USB-C ports and FPS mode, I think it's a better laptop replacement than the Ally, too. Granted, the Legion Go isn't as affordable or long-lasting as either version of the Steam Deck, but it offers way more horsepower. So while some might find its size a bit excessive, that big, vibrant display is hard to say no to. I just hope Lenovo can polish off its software sooner rather than later.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovo-legion-go-review-the-xl-alternative-to-the-steam-deck-141522230.html?src=rss

As one of the few standalone gimbal cameras out there, DJI's Osmo Pocket line has always been something of a niche product family. But it certainly had its fans, offering things like portability, fluid video and decent image quality. Now, three years after the Pocket 2, DJI has introduced the Osmo Pocket 3 with some big improvements. Those include a large 1-inch sensor that improves image quality significantly, especially in low light. Another key change is a bigger screen that flips sideways, plus advanced subject tracking. Other features include 4K 120p shooting, 10-bit D-LogM for improved dynamic range, quicker autofocus and more.With all those extra talents, the Pocket 3 could serve as a standalone vlogging camera - but it's also considerably more expensive than its predecessor. To find out if it's worth the extra money, I did some extensive testing to see what it could - and couldn't - do.DJI's Osmo Pocket 3 is a portable camera that's relatively simple to use, small enough to carry with you and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. It's stabilized by a 3-axis gimbal to make shots smooth and fluid. It can pan, tilt and roll across a wide range of 303, 278 and 283 degrees, respectively.At 5.5 inches long and 179 grams, it's a bit heavier but nearly as compact as the Pocket 2 (117 grams and 4.9 inches long). It resembles its predecessor at first glance, but a closer look reveals some big changes.The first thing that jumps out is the 16:9 2-inch screen that has nearly five times the area of the Pocket 2's 1-inch display. Better still, it flips sideways and automatically rotates the camera to match, so you can shoot either in landscape or portrait modes with no need to dive into settings. However, note that going into vertical video mode doesn't flip the camera like it does on DJI's Mini 4 Pro drone. Rather, it just crops the video, reducing the resolution from 4K to 3K.I wouldn't call the menu system on the Pocket 3's touchscreen intuitive, as it involves either swiping from the sides or touching icons to access functions. Without a lot of visual clues for guidance, you need to memorize all the functions.The other noticeable feature is a larger camera head that houses a 1-inch 9.4MP sensor with a true 16mm diagonal size. That's nearly three times that of the Pocket 2's 1/1.7-inch sensor. Knowing DJI, we might see the same sensor on upcoming products like the Mini drones and Osmo action cams.The fixed 20mm equivalent lens has a relatively fast F/2.0 aperture. The wide focal length means it's not ideal for portraits or product shots. It does have a two times digital zoom to double that, at a cost of some resolution.There are now only two physical buttons, record and gimbal control. The microSD card is still on the left side, with USB-C port on the button as before. Should the position of the latter be inconvenient, the included handle moves it to the side.Battery life is outstanding for such a small device, with 135 minutes available with the built-in 1,300mAh battery, rising to 240 minutes with the optional ($99) 950mAh battery handle. On top of that, the Pocket 3 can be recharged from 20 to 80 percent in just 16 minutes, so DJI is finally embracing fast charging on its devices - something that'd be nice to see with its drones, too.Steve Dent for EngadgetWhat about the Mimo app? While its use was required previously for some functions on the Pocket 2, most things can now be done straight from the camera screen, apart from Glamor and a few other settings. It's still handy for monitoring and controlling the camera remotely, of course.The Pocket 3 is available by itself or in a Creator Combo that gives you a battery handle, mini tripod, 0.75x lens adapter and carry bag. You also get the DJI Mic 2 Transmitter that pairs automatically with the Pocket 3, giving you a high-quality wireless mic and providing an audio backup. DJI should be announcing the Mic 2 as a separate product in the near future. If you already own the original DJI Mic, the Osmo Pocket 3 is compatible with that model as well.PerformanceAbove all, the Osmo Pocket 3 is a gimbal designed to provide smooth and stable video. Operation is very much point and shoot to keep the subject in frame, as the gimbal and autofocus do the rest. As before, it offers three modes: follow, tilt lock and FPV mode.Follow aims the camera where you point it while locking off roll to keep the camera level. Tilt mode also locks the tilt function to keep the horizon level, while FPV keeps all three unlocked so that the camera tilts, pans and rolls as you move the camera.It's not just the larger sensor that helps the Pocket 3 create cinematic video. The optical stabilization allows for slower shutter speeds that create natural looking motion blur - something that's impossible on action cameras, as electronic stabilization isn't compatible with motion blur.Steve Dent for EngadgetThe gimbal generally does a good job of smoothing video, in scenarios ranging from cars, to running to rapid panning. Without electronic stabilization, Z-axis (up and down) motion is still present, so you'll need to walk smoothly to avoid it.The Pocket 3 and DJI Mic 2 is a practical combination, allowing you to vlog easily with smooth, high-quality video and excellent audio quality. It's also discreet, as the Pocket 3 is small and the Mic 2 allows you to speak quietly, even in a crowd.As with DJI's original Mic, the Mic 2 offers consistent sound quality and levels while keeping outside noise to a minimum. It has decent range with the Pocket 3, though DJI has yet to specify that exactly (again, we'll learn more when the standalone Mic 2 is released). Given the wide angle lens, you'll probably never get too far from the Pocket 3 - but it worked fine for me with a camera mounted on a car and me inside, for example.Like DJI's drones, the Pocket 3 has ActiveTrack subject tracking. You enable that by double tapping a subject or selecting it from the Mimo app. From there, the head will tilt and pan to follow the subject and keep it in focus.Steve Dent for EngadgetThis function works automatically when selfie mode is activated either by touching the icon or triple-pressing the joystick. In this case, it goes into face-tracking mode and keeps your face centered screen no matter where you move the camera.Another function called dynamic framing also tracks faces, but lets you change the framing at the touch of a button. DJI also introduced a new mode called spin shot that rotates the camera 90 or 180 degrees to create a stylized scene.Video and image qualityThe Pocket 3 can shoot 4K at up to 60 fps in normal mode, and now includes both a 10-bit D-LogM mode and HLG mode for HDR shooting. It has a 9.DJI also added 4K 120p shooting via a special slow-mo mode. This is handy for high-speed scenarios, particularly when combined with camera moves. At launch, this mode didn't support 10-bit and D-LogM/HLG modes, but via a recent firmware update, those modes now work at 4K 120p as well.Another new function is low-light video mode, designed to improve performance in dim scenes. In this setting, it's limited to 30 fps max and ISO is boosted up to 16,000, compared to 3,200 in regular video mode.The Hyperlapse and time lapse settings work the same as on DJI drones, giving you a time lapse option that's great for showing the quick passage of time. The other two modes are Panorama for wide shots and, of course, photos.Image quality is outstanding for a device this tiny, with the large sensor beating any smartphone except for maybe Sony's Xperia Pro-I. In normal mode, video is sharp and colors are vibrant. In photo mode, JPEGs look good straight out of the camera, but you can also shoot RAW for more flexibility in post.As mentioned, the Osmo Pocket 3 isn't ideal for things like portraits or product beauty shots due to the relatively wide-angle 20mm equivalent lens. Yes, you can do a digital zoom to double that, but resolution dips well below 4K when you do that, due to the relatively low 9.4-megapixel (MP) sensor resolution.Such a field of view doesn't tend to flatter subjects (you generally want about 35-100mm), and moving the camera close can even cause distortion. So if you produce content around those things, the Pocket 3 isn't ideal as a standalone camera.The D-LogM function boosts dynamic range significantly, particularly in high-contrast or on sunny days. It also helps with creative color correction and to match scenes with other cameras, particularly DJI's own drones and action cams. It's easier to adjust than most log modes, so I leave it on all the time.The larger sensor also makes the Pocket 3 much better in low light than before. Normal video mode goes up to ISO 3200, while low light mode ramps that up to ISO 16,000, letting you film in very dim rooms. It also appears to crank up noise reduction at upper ISOs though, so expect some loss of detail.Steve Dent for EngadgetWhile low-light capability is improved, the sensor resolution drops significantly from 64MP on the Pocket 2 to 9.4MP on the new model. That's not bad per se, as we've seen low-resolution sensors on high-end cameras like the Sony A7S III. However, it means that any digital zooming for video results in a loss of resolution (4K is 8.4MP), and photos aren't nearly as sharp on the Pocket 3.Autofocus can be an issue with larger sensor cameras, but the Pocket 3's phase detect AI system is generally reliable. That applies whether you're shooting multiple subjects in FPV mode or using Active Track or Face Tracking.Rolling shutter is really pretty minimal, with just a light amount of skew on fast moving subjects like trains. That's aided considerably by the gimbal, of course, which eliminates any strong jolts that could cause jello-like video.One big issue is focus breathing, though, as the frame changes substantially when you focus from a far to a near object. If possible, it would be good for DJI to add a breathing compensation feature as we've seen on Sony and other cameras.Wrap-upSteve Dent for EngadgetWith improvements in image quality, tracking and other areas, DJI's Osmo Pocket 3 is more versatile than ever. The image quality puts it in the category of high-end compact cameras and you get incredible optical stabilization equivalent to a handheld gimbal with none of the hassle.It has no major flaws, except for the $520 price for the gimbal alone, or $699 in the aforementioned kit. For that, you could get Sony's ZV-1F vlogging camera, or for $150 more, Sony's ZV-10 mirrorless camera with a much larger sensor. Neither of those can do exactly what the Pocket 3 can do, but then again the Pocket 3 isn't ideal for portraits, product shots and other types of content either.The Pocket 2 was embraced mainly as a second camera for grabbing some stabilized shots. The Pocket 3 costs $170 more, though, so it's not something you'd pick up on a whim. DJI is no doubt hoping folks will be willing to pay the extra money if they embrace it as a standalone vlogging camera. It can certainly serve that purpose, but only if your focus is on creating cinematic shots - and not on people or product-focused content creation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dji-osmo-pocket-3-review-maybe-the-only-vlogging-camera-you-need-163028145.html?src=rss