Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS: An In-Depth Detailed Overview of the
Next-Gen Handheld Gaming Revolution
The handheld games market is currently experiencing a full-blown renaissance, one that's being powered by amazing innovation in portable hardware design and an ever-increasing appetite for deep gaming experiences playable on the go. Valve's Steam Deck has raised the bar and established the standard for handheld gaming, but now, in an exciting turn of events, Lenovo is entering this competitive arena with a game-changing new competitor: the Lenovo Legion Go S, the very first third-party handheld to ship with the groundbreaking SteamOS operating system. Set to be released on May 25, this innovative device promises to deliver a combination of high-end hardware and Valve's user-friendly software, with the aim of offering consumers an unbeatable experience. However, this aggressive pricing approach has both thrilled and divided potential consumers. With a price tag of $549.99 for the low-end version and $749.99 for the high-end version, the Legion Go S is strategically placed to make its own space in an ever-competitive market landscape.
Let us pause for a moment and take a close look and examine all of the necessary information you must know in order to be completely informed of this specific device. We will learn about its powerful hardware capabilities, look at its viability in the market, and finally see if it is worth the extra cost of $50 over what was originally expected or predicted.
The Appearance and Growth of SteamOS Handheld Products: Understanding the
Significance of Lenovo's Entrance
Valve's SteamOS has, for a very long time now, been equated
with the Steam Deck, providing an experience similar to that of a
conventional console but specifically tailored for the
gaming PC community. In a very significant development, Valve is now
partnering with Lenovo, and this represents a strategic expansion of its
ecosystem as well as demonstrates a firm conviction in incorporating
third-party hardware into its gaming platform. The Legion Go S should
not simply be viewed as just another handheld gaming console; rather, it
represents a carefully considered and strategic step to make the use of
SteamOS routine across hardware that is not exclusively produced by Valve
itself, thereby promoting the creation of a far broader and heterogeneous
gaming ecosystem.
For consumers, this translates to a plethora of
choices in the gaming hardware ecosystem. Though the Steam Deck continues to
be a singular gaming favorite, other alternatives such as the Asus ROG Ally,
which runs on a Windows operating system, have shown that indeed there is an
appetite for choice. Meanwhile, the Legion Go S is a bridge between these
two worlds that provides the user-friendly nature of SteamOS but also
benefits from Lenovo's globally renowned hardware engineering and
innovation. But does it actually live up to the hype? Let us take a look at
its specs, pricing strategy, and what it brings to the table in real-world
gaming use cases.
Beneath the Surface: An In-Depth Look at the Specifications of the Legion
Go S
Showcase: A Visually Breathtaking and Immersive
Display Experience Crafted for Gamers
The
Legion Go S features a superb 8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz
refresh rate, a substantial and notable upgrade over the Steam Deck's
smaller 7-inch LCD display. The inclusion of OLED technology allows for a
number of advantages, including the capability to produce deeper blacks,
rich vibrant colors, and quicker response times, all of which are essential
attributes to enjoy the fast-paced gaming experience, particularly in
games such as Halo Infinite or Elden Ring that demand high performance. With
a resolution of 2560x1600, this display has a much crisper visual experience
than that of the Steam Deck's OLED display, albeit at a lower resolution of
1280x800; it is important to remember, however, that the gamer will have to
scale their settings accordingly in order to achieve the best possible
levels of performance.
Performance: AMD Ryzen Z Series Chips
Two setups are possible:
Ryzen Z2 Go Model
($549.99): 16GB RAM, made for mid-range gaming.
Ryzen Z1 Extreme Model
($749.99): 32GB RAM, targeting AAA titles at higher settings.
The Z1
Extreme, which is also found in the Windows-based Legion Go, is a beastly
8-core/16-thread monster with RDNA 3 GPUs. Early benchmarks have it beating
the Steam Deck's custom Aerith chip, but how about when under SteamOS? We
shall find out later.
Design and Controls: Where
Ergonomics Meets State-of-the-Art Innovation
Lenovo's design philosophy truly comes through in this one. The Legion Go S has several standout features to its credit, such as:
Hall effect joysticks (long-lasting, drift-free).
Customizable tactile buttons with dynamic RGB lighting effects.
Combined fingerprint reader/touchpad for secure logon and accurate navigation.
Portable controllers (taking a cue from the Nintendo Switch), though this isn't highlighted in the SteamOS design.
Weighing 640 grams, this device is only marginally lighter than the Steam Deck, which weighs 669 grams. What it lacks in lightweight design, however, it makes up for with an ergonomic grip and carefully planned weight distribution specifically designed to combat fatigue, allowing you to game in comfort for hours on end.
Battery Life: The Never-ending Compromise That We All Must Endure
Lenovo quotes up to 8 hours of general use, though heavy games will exhaust the 49.2Wh battery. Similar to the Steam Deck OLED, you'll get 2–4 hours for AAA titles. A 65W charger is provided, but portable power banks are still a travel staple.
Pricing Analysis: Is the $50 Premium Really Justified?
When Lenovo initially teased the Legion Go S, a
499.99pricetagseemedaggressive.Thefinal499.99pricetagseemedaggressive.The549.99
start price has sent eyebrows into action, particularly versus the $549
Steam Deck OLED. Let's dissect the value:
Steam Deck OLED
($549): Smaller display, lower RAM, yet established software
optimization.
Legion Go S ($549.99): Larger OLED, double
the RAM, latest AMD chip.
For $0.99 more, theLegionGoSprovides palpable
hardware upgrades. Nonetheless, the Steam Deck's established
ecosystem and community support are still unparalleled. The $749.99 Z1
Extreme variant competes more aggressively, as the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme often
dips below $700 when it's on sale.
Why is the price increasing?
Analysts speculate component costs (i.e., the
OLED screen) and SteamOS license fees were considerations. The
inclusion of a premium touchpad and fingerprint reader by Lenovo might also
be a factor. The $50 surcharge on the base model might sting for
budget-minded gamers, but hardware enthusiasts may consider it money well
spent.
SteamOS vs Windows: Which Version of the Legion Go Do You Want to
Buy?
Lenovo provides three configurations for its products:
- SteamOS + Ryzen Z2 Go ($549.99)
- SteamOS was coupled with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, which costs $749.99
- Windows 11 + Ryzen Z1 Extreme ($829.99)
The Advantages Offered by SteamOS
SteamOS 3.0,
which has been optimized for handheld devices, features the following:
- Seamless game compatibility through Proton (Windows games on Linux).
- Instant resume/suspend feature, perfect for mobile gaming.
- Fewer overheads than Windows, freeing up resources for games.
However, non-Steam platforms (Epic, Xbox Game Pass) do have
workarounds. For pure Steam players, this isn't an issue.
Windows 11: A Platform Offering Flexibility, but at What Price?
The $829.99 Windows version is specifically designed for
tinkerers and enthusiasts who need the complete functionality a PC has to
offer. That is to say, you are welcome to install any launcher or software
of your preference. Take note, however, that although this release has
Windows, the touch-optimized interface it comes with does feel somewhat
awkward and less refined when used for handheld devices. During our review
in February, we experienced some occasional driver stutter and also reported
that background processes were draining battery life.
Head-to-Head: Legion Go S vs. Steam Deck OLED
| Feature | Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme) | Steam Deck OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $749.99 | $549 |
| Display | 8" OLED, 120Hz | 7.4" OLED, 90Hz |
| Resolution | 2560x1600 | 1280x800 |
| RAM | 32GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB–1TB PCIe 4.0 | 512GB–1TB NVMe |
| Battery | 49.2Wh | 50Wh |
| OS | SteamOS | SteamOS |
Verdict: The Legion Go S is an impressive hardware beast,
highlighting impressive abilities and performance. Considering price and
optimization factors, though, the Steam Deck has major advantages that are
tailor-made for casual players. For enthusiasts who are precisely looking
for top-of-the-line specifications and high-end features, though, it's most
likely that they will find themselves tipping towards Lenovo's impressive
package.
Target Audience: Who exactly is the Legion Go aimed at specifically?
Tech-Savvy Gamers: Individuals who are
gaming enthusiasts and are ready to adjust various settings to
enhance their performance in their games.
OLED Fans: The
display, which is bigger and has sharper images, is a huge leap forward that
dramatically improves visual fidelity and viewing experience overall.
Multi-Platform Players: While SteamOS is specialized, the Windows model is multi-platform.
They are ready and keen to provide their assistance for third-party
developers to expand SteamOS.
Alternatives to Consider Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme, $699): A Windows rival with identical specifications.
Ayaneo 2S ($899): High-end design, smaller community.
Nintendo Switch OLED ($349): Less power for Nintendo exclusives. Information about Pre-Order and Availability Status The Legion Go S is already up for eager pre-order on both Best Buy and Lenovo's official website, with expected shipping to begin on May 25.
Early adopters of the revolutionary device will be treated to a free 3-month trial of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate—a nod to the synergistic partnership with Microsoft in cloud gaming.
Final Verdict: Is the Legion Go S Worth the Hype?
The Legion Go S with SteamOS takes handheld gaming to the next level with its futuristic hardware in a refined form factor. Although the $50 premium is a letdown, the specifications make it worth the money for power users. Nevertheless, the Steam Deck OLED is still the value champion for the majority.
Being the first third-party developed SteamOS device, the Legion Go S has the potential to significantly influence and define the future of handheld gaming.
Should Lenovo take it upon themselves to fix any of the existing software bugs and actively push and promote community development, there is an excellent chance that this excellent handheld gaming platform could easily be a cult classic for years to come.
