Lenovo’s Legion Go S promised a lighter, cheaper entry into the handheld gaming arena, but its initial Windows 11 release felt…off. Now, the SteamOS-powered Legion Go S has landed, and the transformation is astounding. Forget clunky interfaces – this is portable gaming redefined. Not only does SteamOS provide a UI purpose-built for handhelds, but it also unlocks a performance boost you can feel. The kicker? This superior experience comes at a lower price point than the Windows version. Finally, a worthy challenger to the Steam Deck emerges, especially for those seeking a different flavor of handheld power.
Lenovo/Engadget
A bigger, faster Steam Deck
Legion Go S powered by SteamOS
Ditch the Steam Deck? Legion Go S offers SteamOS devotees a tempting, muscle-bound alternative.
Pros
- Better performance than the Windows model
- Big, bright display
- Improved battery life
- Runs SteamOS
Cons
- Unexpectedly expensive
- No fingerprint reader
- Weak haptics
Explore More Buying Options
$830 at Best Buy
$830 at Best Buy
$760+ at Lenovo
Design and display: Keeping it simple
The SteamOS Legion Go S shares its sibling’s simple design, but swaps the Windows model’s white for a sleek, dark purple. Its expansive 8-inch, 1200p screen and generous grips give it a beefier feel than the Steam Deck or ROG Ally X. The 500-nit display punches above its weight, delivering brightness that outshines typical handheld PCs. However, Lenovo’s choice of an LCD panel means colors lack the vibrant pop and deep blacks you’d find on an OLED screen like the original Legion Go.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Lenovo gets it. Hall effect sensors in the joysticks? Check. Trigger depth adjustable on the fly? Done. Frustration-free chargingandaccessory support thanks to that second USB-C port? Absolutely. They even tossed in programmable back paddles and a microSD card slot for serious storage junkies. This isn’t just a handheld; it’s a thoughtfully designed command center.
The Legion Go Lite trims the fat, ditching the detachable joysticks and shrinking the touchpad to a sliver. While that smaller pad is fine for desktop mode SteamOS navigation, forget about using it as a real in-game control. And say goodbye to fingerprint security – a baffling omission on a modern handheld gaming PC.
Performance and software: Better with SteamOS
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
The Legion Go S has arrived, flexing SteamOS across various builds. Our $830 specimen packs an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, a hefty 32GB of RAM, and a roomy 1TB SSD. This beast should sing, right? A slight snag: can’t do a direct showdown with its Windows-based Ryzen Z2 sibling we wrestled with previously. Frankly, that Z2 model left us cold, so even the lower price tag isn’t tempting. Tight budget? Stick with the Steam Deck. It’s still the king.
Despite sharing the same silicon heart, the Legion Go S, running SteamOS, surprisingly outpaced its Windows counterpart, the original Legion Go, in performance tests. Cranking up both systems to a 15-watt TDP, the Go S flexed its muscles in Cyberpunk 2077. At 800p on medium settings, it delivered a smoother experience, pushing out 58 frames per second compared to the original’s 54. The Steam Deck OLED, by comparison, trailed slightly at 53 fps. The trend continued in Control, again at 800p on medium, albeit with a narrower margin. The Go S managed a playable 29 fps, besting the original Legion Go (27 fps) and the Steam Deck OLED (24 fps).
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Why does SteamOS crank out more gaming muscle? It’s a bit of a mystery, varying game to game. The secret sauce seems to be less baggage: SteamOS sheds the bloat of Windows, ditching unnecessary processes. The result? A lean, mean gaming machine. Forget wading through Microsoft’s desktop jungle. SteamOS throws you straight into your game library the moment you power up. Plus, Valve sweats the small stuff, tweaking the OS to handle cool extras like built-in RGB lighting – a trick the Legion Go boasts that even the Steam Deck misses out on.
Steam Deck vs. Legion Go S: The SteamOS Showdown hinges on one thing: performance.
Valve’s handheld sips power, capping out at 15 watts. This makes it a battery-sipping champion, perfect for retro classics and indie gems. Think long flights fueled by pixelated adventures.
Lenovo’s Legion Go S? Unleashes a beastly 33 watts (40 when plugged in!). If you crave silky-smooth frame rates in the latest AAA titles, this is your weapon of choice. Forget compromises; crank up those settings and prepare for visual glory!
Ultimately, are you a marathon gamer or a graphics junkie? Your answer decides your SteamOS destiny.
Battery life: Just a touch more efficient
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
The Legion Go S boasts a 55WHr battery, but under SteamOS, don’t expect miracles. Battery life is merely decent…except when it isn’t. I pitted it against its Windows twin, and across several games, the SteamOS version consistently ran longer – averaging about 30 minutes more. InMetal Slug Tactics, the SteamOS Legion Go S soldiered on for a respectable 2 hours and 50 minutes, leaving the Windows 11 version (at 2:33) eating dust. The same held true inElden Ring; the SteamOS handheld stubbornly clung to life for an extra 15 minutes after its Windows counterpart tapped out.
Wrap-up
Forget compromise. The Legion Go S isn’t just another handheld; it’s a portal. Boasting a screen that dwarfs even the Steam Deck’s, and ergonomics sculpted for marathon gaming sessions, this device delivers pure, unadulterated fun. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme option unleashes a torrent of power, demolishing demanding titles without forcing you into the Windows wilderness. SteamOS sings on this machine, offering a streamlined UI that makes rivals weep. Hall effect joysticks and dual USB-C ports? Consider them the cherry on top of gaming nirvana.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
The Legion Go S presents a compelling, if pricier, alternative to the Steam Deck. While the Z1 Extreme model starts at $830, a jump from the Z2 Go’s initial $600 promise, the increased power and larger screen offer a significant upgrade. As one of only two handhelds boasting a pre-installed SteamOS, the Legion Go S carves a unique space in the portable gaming arena, giving gamers a real choice.
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