It's been another eventful week with our beloved Legion Go, and I'm here to share the latest updates, some good, some not so much.
Let's kick off with the much-anticipated BIOS version 28 update. Although we don't have a firm timeframe, they have said it should be in the next 2 weeks.
It's a blend of the features from the beta BIOS and the official version 26.
There are a couple of standout features to be excited about.
Firstly, the introduction of Stamp Stroke STT thermal mode switching. This mode, now the default STT, allows the APU to automatically increase its performance when the temperature is below a certain threshold. Given that Legion Go runs cooler than competitors like R Ally or Steam Deck, we can expect some significant performance gains.
Another exciting addition is the Stamp mode as an override, which lets you strictly follow system settings. This will be accessible through the quick menu toggles. Also, there's an option to switch the memory frequency between 6,400 MHz and 7,500 MHz. I haven't confirmed the current running frequency yet, so that's something to look into. This feature should be a boon for those looking to boost memory charging speed.
Version 28 will also officially bring the charging speed optimization option from the beta BIOS. This includes a fast charge mode, a welcome upgrade from the current trickle charge, especially under heavy load.
Moreover, there's enhanced USB-C compatibility for higher power devices and the addition of a 6GB VRAM option, something we've seen in the beta BIOS.
There are, however, some areas still under work, like the auto mode, which we might see by December or early next year. The update will also introduce base settings for the Lenovo fan table interface, allowing custom fan settings via Legion Space, targeted for December without a firm deadline.
The Lenovo SPT FPP tuning is another feature being added, though I'm not entirely sure what this entails. If you have any insights, feel free to enlighten us in the comments!
Now, onto the fixes. The update addresses some unspecified performance issues and but no news of the much-needed GPU driver update since we're still on the October drivers. There's a fix for the inconsistent application of custom VRAM settings and the inclusion of SD card reader fixes from version 26.
There are still unresolved issues. For instance, I've encountered problems with accessing the quick menu in games like Control and Red Dead Redemption 2. The Legion Space menu seems to be the only workaround, which is cumbersome, especially if you've disabled it in the launcher.
There are also recognition issues with game platforms; only Steam seems to be recognized despite having Xbox, Epic, and Ubisoft Connect launchers installed. And a quirky bug where trying to switch back to a running game like Control ends up launching a second instance.
Lastly, we're facing challenges with external screens, like getting into 1600P modes and switching resolutions. So, while there's a lot to look forward to, there are still plenty of kinks to iron out in the Legion Go.
As for the latest GPU drivers, there's no official news yet. I'm also curious about what issues you've encountered with your Legion Go. A common complaint seems to be the joystick dead zone, but it appears to be a topic Legion is avoiding for now.