Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Review: Pros, Cons, and What It Means for Handheld Gaming

Lenovo’s decision to ship the Legion Go S with SteamOS turns a capable handheld into a fundamentally different user experience — one that trims Windows bloat, favors console-style simplicity, and magnifies what matters most on a small, high-refresh gaming device.

Overview​

Lenovo has released a SteamOS-equipped Legion Go S that pairs an 8-inch, 120Hz touchscreen with AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Go APU, 16GB of RAM in the SteamOS SKU, and a 55Wh-class battery in a lightweight (roughly 1.6 lb / ~730 g) chassis. The move comes as Valve expands SteamOS beyond its own Steam Deck hardware, allowing OEMs to offer a true Steam-first handheld alternative to Windows-powered handheld PCs. Early hands-on reviews and retail listings show the SteamOS Legion Go S selling at roughly $599–$600 for the Z2 Go configuration and positioned squarely as an alternative to Valve’s Steam Deck OLED.
This article summarizes the key findings from contemporary reviews and retail specs, verifies the central hardware and software claims across multiple sources, and provides a critical analysis of what SteamOS on a third‑party handheld means for gamers — including concrete trade-offs, practical recommendations, and risks you need to consider before swapping a Windows gaming laptop or desktop for a SteamOS handheld.

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Background: why SteamOS matters on handhelds​

The SteamOS value proposition​

SteamOS is a Linux-based, game-focused operating system developed by Valve for the Steam Deck. Its core advantages for handhelds are straightforward:

• Lightweight, controller-first interface that gets you into games quickly without a desktop cluttered by background processes.
• Tight integration with Steam features: library, cloud saves, chat, store, game recording and Steam’s performance overlay.
• Proton compatibility layer, which translates many Windows-only games to run on Linux, drastically expanding playable titles.
• Performance and power efficiency benefits on identical hardware versus Windows because Linux has fewer background services and a smaller OS footprint.

Those strengths are particularly meaningful on battery-limited handheld hardware: a slimmer OS often equals better thermals, better battery life, and fewer interruptions during play.

Valve opening SteamOS to OEMs​

Valve has moved from an exclusive Steam Deck strategy to licensing and supporting SteamOS on third‑party hardware. Valve’s work to expand SteamOS compatibility and ship a recovery image for other AMD handhelds has made it possible for companies like Lenovo to offer a “Powered by SteamOS” handheld out of the box. This is not merely a community hack or user install — it’s an OEM offering designed to provide a consistent Steam-first handheld experience.

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What Lenovo changed: Legion Go S (SteamOS) at a glance​

Core hardware (verified across manufacturer and retailer specs)​

• Display: 8.0-inch, 16:10 WUXGA (1920×1200) LCD, up to 120Hz refresh with VRR support and high brightness (~500 nits).
• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 Go APU (the SteamOS SKU in reviews uses Z2 Go).
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X for the SteamOS Z2 Go model.
• Storage: Configurations include 512GB (and other options on different SKUs) PCIe NVMe SSDs.
• Battery: ~55Wh (Lenovo lists ~55.5Wh on official specs).
• I/O: Two USB4 ports, microSD slot, 3.5mm audio.
• Controls: Hall-effect analog sticks, adjustable triggers, programmable back paddles, and a small right-side touchpad.
• Weight: approximately 1.6 lb (Lenovo lists ~730 g).

Multiple manufacturer materials and major retailers corroborate those numbers, confirming Lenovo’s stated choices and the suggested retail price points seen at launch.

Software change: Windows vs SteamOS models​

Lenovo offers the Legion Go S in both Windows and SteamOS flavors. The SteamOS version intentionally removes Windows and the many non-gaming apps and services that come with it. The result is a more console-like, streamlined experience: a fast resume/suspend workflow, a curated Steam interface, and fewer background processes that sap battery and raise thermals.

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First impressions: where the SteamOS Legion Go S shines​

1) A more focused handheld experience​

By removing Windows, Lenovo delivers a handheld that acts like a single-purpose gaming device. The interface is designed for controllers and touch, game resume is faster, and the system feels more responsive out of the box. For users who primarily live inside Steam, this is a huge quality-of-life win.

2) Display and responsiveness​

The 8-inch, 120Hz LCD is a clear differentiator versus the Steam Deck OLED’s 7.4-inch, up-to-90Hz OLED. On paper and in daily use, the higher refresh rate translates into smoother menus and better perceived input responsiveness. For action games where aiming and quick reactions matter, the 120Hz panel can be the difference between a smooth feel and a perceptible lag — particularly on fast-paced indie and esports-style titles.

3) Controls and ergonomics​

Lenovo’s ergonomics and hardware controls are solid: hall-effect sticks to reduce drift, textured grips, and adjustable trigger travel. The device’s weight is slightly more than Valve’s OLED Deck, but the difference is small and the Legion’s grip and feel are praised by reviewers.

4) Efficiency gains vs Windows​

Benchmarks and practical testing indicate SteamOS often yields better battery life and, in some cases, higher frame rates on identical hardware — an efficiency win frequently seen when replacing Windows with a lighter Linux-based environment. That efficiency comes from fewer background processes, more aggressive power management, and the mature Proton compatibility layer that translates many Windows games with surprisingly good performance.

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Where the Legion Go S (SteamOS) falters — and why it matters​

1) Battery life remains a real-world limiter​

Despite OS efficiency gains, handheld hardware is still constrained by battery capacity. For demanding AAA titles the Legion Go S tends to run for roughly an hour or slightly more under heavy load; for less demanding indie titles you can push to two hours or a little beyond. In everyday, mixed usage scenarios you’ll still need a charger for extended sessions, and that reality matters if you plan to replace a desktop or laptop with the handheld for long sessions.

2) AAA performance is modest on a handheld APU​

The Ryzen Z2 Go and integrated RDNA GPU are impressive for the form factor but are still limited compared to desktop GPUs. Expect:

• Excellent performance in lightweight titles (Hades, Stardew, platformers, many indies).
• Playable experiences in many AAA games at reduced settings and resolution scaling.
• Noticeable compromises in GPU-bound, high-fidelity scenes where textures blur and frame rates dip.

This is a hardware reality of current handheld PC class devices rather than a Lenovo-specific failure, but it constrains the claim that the Legion Go S could fully substitute a high-end gaming PC for demanding titles.

3) Anti-cheat and online multiplayer caveats​

SteamOS uses Proton to run many Windows games, but multiplayer titles protected by kernel-level anti-cheat systems remain a mixed bag. Some major anti-cheat providers have added support or workable paths for Proton and SteamOS, but compatibility is conditional:

• Many large titles now work via Proton thanks to vendor support; others are still blocked or problematically supported depending on developer choices and specific anti-cheat integrations.
• Expect some competitive, online-only games to be unavailable or to require a Windows install to play reliably.

This fragmented anti-cheat landscape is a material risk for anyone who primarily games online in titles that enforce strict client-side anti-cheat.

4) Reduced app and non‑gaming flexibility​

Choosing SteamOS means accepting a narrower device purpose. While a desktop mode exists and users can install other Linux apps, the out-of-the-box experience intentionally lacks the full Windows ecosystem: legacy applications, some game stores and launchers (without extra effort), and Windows-only features like certain capture and overlay tools won't work natively.

5) Small touchpad and input compromises​

Lenovo’s tiny touchpad under the right thumb is less useful than the larger Steam Deck trackpads for first‑person shooters and precise cursor movements. It functions as a button or a coarse aiming assist, but it’s not a replacement for Valve’s larger trackpads if you frequently play mouse-driven PC titles.

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The competitive picture: Legion Go S vs Steam Deck (and the broader market)​

Head-to-head strengths​

• Legion Go S (SteamOS)
• Bigger screen (8" vs 7.4") and higher refresh rate (120Hz vs up to 90Hz)
• Strong ergonomics and adjustable mechanical triggers
• Familiar OEM support, retail availability (Best Buy and others)
• Option to buy a Steam-first experience without Windows
• Steam Deck OLED
• Superior OLED color, deeper blacks, and HDR capability
• Slightly lighter in hand (a small but noticeable ergonomics factor)
• Larger trackpads for mouse‑style control in desktop-first titles
• Direct Valve support and deep integration with Steam’s development of Proton and SteamOS

Who each device is for​

• Choose the Legion Go S (SteamOS) if you:
• Prioritize a high-refresh touchscreen and a more console-like, streamlined Steam experience.
• Mostly play indie, single-player, or non‑anti-cheat-restricted titles.
• Want a retail-ready Steam-first device with OEM warranty and distribution.
• Choose the Steam Deck OLED if you:
• Want the best color and contrast for single-player or visual-first titles.
• Prefer slightly lighter hardware and larger trackpads for mouse-style control.
• Want the most mature Valve-backed SteamOS experience.

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Practical advice: how to decide and how to use a SteamOS Legion Go S​

Decision checklist (ranked)​

• Primary game catalog: If most of your library is Steam-native and not blocked by anti-cheat, SteamOS makes sense.
• Online multiplayer habits: If you play anti-cheat‑protected competitive titles, verify compatibility before you buy.
• Need for Windows apps or services: If you rely on Windows-only software (specific launchers, capture tools, or apps), consider the Windows Legion Go S or a clamshell Windows notebook instead.
• Display preference: If you want punchy colors and OLED contrast, Steam Deck OLED still has the edge; if you want higher refresh for smoother motion, Legion Go S shines.
• Battery expectations: Treat handhelds as supplementary devices — plan to charge during extended sessions.

How to get the best experience on SteamOS Legion Go S​

• Use Steam's per-game performance profiles — they automate TDP, resolution scaling, and frame caps for optimal battery/thermals trade-offs.
• Prefer native Linux or Proton‑verified builds when possible — these will usually be more stable and performant.
• Manage power with the overlay — cap framerates and lower TDP when you need longer runtime.
• Test multiplayer titles before committing — open the game's store page to see Steam’s compatibility badge and check community reports on anti-cheat behavior.
• Bring a USB‑C PD charger or power bank rated for fast charging; portable 65W USB-C chargers get you back in play fast.

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Broader implications: what SteamOS on Lenovo means for the handheld market​

• Ecosystem growth: Valve licensing SteamOS to OEMs signals a strategic pivot: SteamOS can now be the default portable gaming OS beyond Valve’s own hardware. A multi‑vendor SteamOS ecosystem reduces fragmentation for console-first PC gaming handhelds and increases consumer choice.
• Windows retains its place: Windows handhelds will still matter for users who need complete Windows compatibility, certain anti-cheat–restricted multiplayer games, Xbox Game Pass titles, and the full ecosystem of PC software.
• Faster Proton development: As more hardware ships with SteamOS, Proton will continue to mature. Broad OEM adoption creates stronger incentives for anti-cheat providers and developers to support Linux/Proton workflows — but that transition will be incremental and developer-dependent.
• Retail competition: Having Lenovo sell SteamOS handhelds through mainstream retail channels lowers the barrier to entry for consumers who were hesitant to import or register devices directly through Valve’s store.

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Risks, long-term maintenance, and unknowns​

• Anti-cheat fragmentation remains a practical risk. Developers and anti-cheat vendors are moving toward better Linux support, but the process is uneven. Expect periodic regressions and title-specific caveats for competitive online games.
• Software support lifecycle. OEMs and Valve must commit to long-term SteamOS updates for third-party devices. If support wanes or drivers lag behind, user experience will suffer.
• Repairability and modding trade-offs. Third-party SteamOS devices may differ in repairability and spare-part availability compared with Valve’s established support channels.
• Price sensitivity. Handheld buyers compare across multiple devices (Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Nintendo hardware). Small price differences and promotional sales can sway purchasing decisions quickly.
• User expectations vs reality. Marketing can overpromise “desktop replacement”; in practice, handhelds are best treated as portable complements to desktops or laptops, not full replacements for heavy desktop workflows or lengthy AAA play sessions.

If any claim in initial hands-on reports lacked third-party corroboration, that gap has been flagged and treated cautiously above — for instance personal anecdotes about entirely replacing a work PC are inherently subjective and vary widely based on individual workflows.

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Final verdict: who should buy the SteamOS Legion Go S?​

The Legion Go S running SteamOS is a compelling handheld for a specific, but sizable, audience: Steam-centric gamers who value a high-refresh touchscreen, game-first simplicity, and the convenience of buying a retail-ready device that doesn’t come saddled with Windows. It’s a serious competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck OLED and in some ways outpoints Valve on raw refresh rate and screen size.
However, it is not a miracle device that eliminates the compromises of portable PC gaming. Battery life and AAA performance ceilings remain real, anti-cheat compatibility is still a variable, and the trade-off for a simpler OS is reduced immediate flexibility for Windows-only apps and services.
For buyers who want a primarily Steam-focused, console-like handheld with modern hardware and retail availability, the Legion Go S (SteamOS) is an excellent, well-rounded choice. For those who require broad Windows compatibility, frequent online competitive play tied to Windows-only anti-cheat, or need their handheld to double as a full Windows workstation, a Windows-based handheld or a traditional laptop remains the safer option.

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Practical purchase takeaways​

• Expect a smooth, low-friction Steam experience out of the box with better power efficiency than the Windows variant on the same hardware.
• Use Steam’s performance profiles and the overlay to extract usable battery life and consistent frame rates.
• Check compatibility for your key multiplayer titles before committing — anti-cheat support is improving but not universal.
• Treat the Legion Go S as a portable gaming companion, not a wholesale replacement for a desktop gaming rig if you play AAA titles at max fidelity or need long uninterrupted sessions.

Lenovo’s SteamOS Legion Go S is a signpost: the handheld PC market is maturing into two practical camps — Windows-powered handhelds that prioritize compatibility and versatility, and SteamOS-powered devices that prioritize a focused, console-like gaming experience. For gamers who live in Steam and want portability without the Windows overhead, the Legion Go S (SteamOS) is one of the strongest, most practical handhelds available today.

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Source: ZDNET I replaced my Windows PC with Lenovo's SteamOS handheld - and didn't regret it