DIY dock turns Lenovo’s Legion Go handheld into a laptop

Most of the handheld gaming PCs released in the past few years have featured a screen sandwiched between a set of built-in game controllers. But a handful of models like the Lenovo Legion Go, Legion Go 2, and ONEXPLAYER 2 have Nintendo Switch-liked detachable controllers.

That means you can remove the controllers and use the base computer like a tablet. Or… if you’re ambitious, you could design a dock that turns the computer into a mini laptop, the way redditor MysteriousAlarm897 did.

The build in question features a 3D-printed clamshell case that opens and closes like a laptop. The Legion Go’s tablet section fits into a slot in the top section, while the bottom features a Lenovo portable keyboard positioned on top of a massive 190 Wh battery pack that should keep the computer running for hours or maybe even days on end.

While those batteries make for a pretty heavy device, putting that much weight in the base helps prevent the system from becoming too top-heavy and tipping over. No kickstand required.

Other features include a USB hub in the base, with two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, a set of latches on the front that holds the lid firmly in place when the system is closed, and a quick release that lets you remove the Legion Go when you want to use it as a handheld device.

After sharing an initial set of images to reddit last month, MysteriousAlarm897 followed up with a “slim” version that sacrifices the battery pack for a design that’s a lot thinner and lighter. Since the Legion Go already has its own battery, this version should still get at least a few hours of battery life between charges.

Right now this is just one person’s DIY project, but the designer is considering “selling or sharing” files that you could use to build your own. The project could also serve as inspiration for folks looking to design their own handheld-to-laptop cases for the Legion Go or other models with detachable controllers.