Lenovo has officially unveiled its latest entries into the portable PC gaming market: the Legion Go 2, Legion Go S, and the much-anticipated Legion Go S Powered by SteamOS. The latter represents a significant milestone for Valve, marking the first officially licensed handheld device to utilize their SteamOS operating system, a decade-long endeavor to provide a viable alternative to Windows for gamers. Building upon the success of the Steam Deck, which demonstrated the potential of Linux for smooth and performant gaming, the Legion Go S Powered by SteamOS validates the growing acceptance of this platform. This partnership signifies a shift in the gaming landscape, offering more choices and optimized experiences for players. It’s expected to be the first of many SteamOS-powered handhelds, ushering in a new era of portable PC gaming.
The Legion Go S, available in both Windows 11 and SteamOS versions, is positioned as the budget-friendly option within the Legion Go family. Unlike the Legion Go 2 with its detachable controllers, the Legion Go S features a more traditional handheld design. Both versions share the same core specifications, with the key differentiator being the operating system and a consequent price difference. The “Glacier White” Windows 11 model and the “Nebula Violet” SteamOS variant offer consumers a choice based on their preferred platform and budget. This dual-OS approach caters to a broader audience, accommodating both established Windows users and those seeking the streamlined experience of SteamOS.
While the specific model of the Ryzen Z2 Go processor within the Legion Go S wasn’t explicitly detailed in the source material, it’s confirmed to be a Lenovo-exclusive chip featuring Zen 3+ architecture with 12 RDNA 2 Graphics Cores. This distinguishes it from the Ryzen Z1 Extreme found in the original Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally, which utilizes a more powerful RDNA 3 architecture. While the Ryzen Z2 Go is expected to outperform the Steam Deck, it will likely fall short of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme in terms of gaming performance. This creates an interesting performance dynamic within the handheld market, offering varied levels of power and affordability. Real-world gaming benchmarks will be crucial in determining the Ryzen Z2 Go’s capabilities relative to its competitors.
Beyond the processor, the Legion Go S boasts several notable features. It sports an 8-inch, 1920×1200 LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support for smoother visuals. The battery capacity receives a boost to 55.5Whr from the original Legion Go’s 49.2Whr, potentially offering extended playtime. The maximum RAM capacity has been doubled to 32GB, allowing for smoother multitasking and potentially improved performance in demanding games. Two USB4 ports are located on the top of the device, offering high-speed connectivity for peripherals and accessories. A small trackpad sits beneath the right stick for added precision control. These enhancements contribute to a more refined and capable handheld gaming experience.
The release schedule and pricing for the Legion Go S models are staggered. The Windows 11 version, presumably with higher-end specifications, will be available starting January 2025 with a price tag of $729. Additional configurations of the Windows 11 model are planned for May, starting at $599 with 1TB of storage. The SteamOS-powered Legion Go S will launch exclusively in May, starting at $499 with 512GB of storage. The $100 price difference between the SteamOS and Windows versions at the same storage level is attributed to the absence of the “Windows Tax” – the licensing fee associated with Microsoft’s operating system. This lower price point makes the SteamOS model a more accessible option for budget-conscious gamers.
Lenovo’s foray into the SteamOS ecosystem signals a significant expansion of the handheld gaming market. The increasing diversity in operating systems and hardware configurations offers players unprecedented choice and flexibility. The Legion Go S Powered by SteamOS, in particular, represents Lenovo’s commitment to providing a gaming experience optimized for handheld devices, further validating Valve’s efforts to establish SteamOS as a major player in the portable gaming arena. The device’s competitive pricing, coupled with the potential performance and efficiency benefits of SteamOS, positions it as a compelling alternative to traditional Windows-based handheld PCs. This broader landscape promises a more exciting and competitive market for handheld gaming enthusiasts in the coming years.
