Since its debut in 2022, the Steam Deck has been the top choice for those looking to play PC games on the move, sparking a wave of interest in handheld gaming. Although it faces numerous competitors, some featuring superior hardware and display technology, none have yet managed to replicate the ease of use that Valve’s SteamOS offers—until the Lenovo Legion Go S arrived.

Lenovo Legion Go S: The First SteamOS Handheld Outside of Valve

This year’s CES witnessed the unveiling of Lenovo’s Legion Go S, which will be the first handheld console outside of Valve to launch with SteamOS pre-installed. This means users will enjoy a dedicated Steam button, direct access to Steam’s storefront and their game library (other platforms can be used as well), seamless remote play functionality, and Valve’s phenomenal quick menu for managing settings like brightness and power usage.

Furthermore, SteamOS operates with a smaller footprint compared to Windows, potentially enhancing game performance. However, its Linux foundation does imply that some games might not be fully compatible.

Despite this, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The Proton technology integrated into SteamOS has consistently enabled Windows games to run smoothly on Linux, even those notoriously problematic titles, and navigating SteamOS with a controller is far more intuitive than using Windows.

Moreover, Lenovo will offer a Windows variant of the Legion Go S to cater to gamers needing access to anti-cheat functions, which may not work well on SteamOS. Unfortunately, the Windows edition will be available only in white, while the SteamOS version is reported to come in a unique shade resembling purple.

Comparing the Legion Go S and Steam Deck

What sets the Legion Go S apart from the Steam Deck? The primary factors are its processing power and display quality.

While the Steam Deck remains a strong contender at its base price of $400 (or less if refurbished), it is beginning to show its age in terms of performance and graphics. Although the pricier OLED model enhances visuals, the Legion Go S is generally viewed as more contemporary and aligns closer with other challengers like the Asus ROG Ally.

Initially hesitant regarding these alternatives due to their lack of SteamOS, the Legion Go S delivers the perfect mix—contemporary hardware alongside Valve’s user-friendly software. Starting with its processor, the Legion Go S offers either the established AMD Z1 Extreme or the brand-new AMD Z2 Go chip.

The Z1 Extreme has already shown its mettle in devices like the Asus ROG Ally, outperforming the Steam Deck by delivering additional frames in the latest AAA titles, while the upcoming Z2 Go is expected to provide a slight edge over the custom AMD steam deck chip. Recent news from AMD’s CES conference indicates the Z2 Go will maintain a similar core count to the Steam Deck’s chip but offer improved clock speeds, a power limit of 30W, and additional graphics cores. Both options promise better performance than the original Steam Deck, with the latter likely being more budget-friendly.

Another compelling reason to consider the Legion Go S is its superior display. The Steam Deck features an 800p OLED screen with a refresh rate of 90Hz, while the Legion Go S boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Although it’s an LCD, which sacrifices some OLED vibrancy, for anyone still using the older Steam Deck LCD model, this upgrade is a significant enhancement. Existing OLED users must weigh the trade-off between visual fidelity and refresh rate, as the Legion Go S will support higher frame rates, necessitating the additional power.

Players can customize RAM to double the maximum available on the Steam Deck, leading to smoother operation. Ultimately, the choice boils down to ergonomics and aesthetics.

The Legion Go S is lighter and sleeker than the Steam Deck and signifies a redesign from the initial Legion Go model, replacing detachable controllers with a unified body. It retains a smaller right-hand touchpad from the original device but lacks the dual touchpad configuration found on the Steam Deck. On the plus side, it introduces an extra USB-C port, slightly larger battery capacity, and optional trigger stops for quicker responses.

This combination makes the Legion Go S an appealing alternative for those contemplating moving away from the Steam Deck after years of usage. While waiting for more reviews is advisable before making a final choice, Lenovo has positioned the Legion Go S attractively in the market, especially concerning its pricing.

Pricing Details

The SteamOS-powered version of the Legion Go S is set to launch in May with a starting price of $500. This configuration comes with the Z2 Go processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. In comparison, a 512GB Steam Deck OLED retails for a slightly higher $550. Options to upgrade storage and memory will also be available, in addition to Lenovo’s Windows variant.

The Windows model of the Legion Go S is set to release earlier this month for $730. It includes the Z2 Go processor, 32GB of RAM, and a spacious 1TB of storage. While this represents a considerable premium for extra memory and space, rest assured that a comparable Windows variant will also be introduced in May for $600, with upgrade options available on both versions. Models equipped with the Z1 Extreme processor are also anticipated but details remain sparse.

It’s important to note that Lenovo does not view the Legion Go S as a full next-generation replacement for its current Legion handheld line; that distinction belongs to the upcoming Legion Go 2, which made an appearance at CES this year in prototype form. This next-generation device aims to feature the latest Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, an OLED display, a redesigned exterior, and advanced biometric options like a fingerprint sensor. Pricing is still under wraps, but Lenovo has indicated plans to release it by 2025. Fans of the initial model can find solace in the fact that detachable controllers are still expected to be included.