Few gaming handhelds in recent memory have sparked as much discussion—and as much hope for a Windows-alternative future—as the Lenovo Legion Go S running SteamOS. As Valve's once-exclusive Steam Deck ecosystem finally opens to official partners, Lenovo's latest foray is much more than a simple repackage of the company’s earlier Legion Go. What sets the Legion Go S (especially the Z2 Go variant reviewed here) apart is its transformation from the Windows-based model to a device fully optimized around SteamOS, and, as a result, its newfound standing as perhaps the first credible “better Steam Deck than the Steam Deck.” In this deep-dive, we break down the hardware, the operating system evolution, critical performance benchmarks, real-world gaming battery life, and how this new Lenovo offering positions itself in a fiercely competitive landscape of handheld gaming PCs.
The jump from Windows 11 to SteamOS may seem like a small software tweak on paper, but in practice, it transforms the entire user experience—and, strikingly, system performance as well. Physically, the Legion Go S retains its characteristic industrial design: a broad 8-inch IPS screen with a crisp 1920x1200 resolution, a speedy 120Hz refresh rate, and a 16:10 aspect ratio which allows for more vertical content without ugly letterboxing. Lenovo wraps the same anti-slip texture around ergonomic grips, embeds Hall Effect sticks for drift-free control, and positions all ports—dual USB-C, SD card reader, and a unique touchpad—exactly as before. There’s even a new “Nebula Nocturne” dark-purple finish signaling this is not the same Windows handheld.
Weighing in at 1.61 pounds (still on the heavier side compared to most competitors except for MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ and the original Legion Go), the Legion Go S’s only physical update is a minor logo change: the signature “Legion Space” button now bears the Steam logo, recognizing SteamOS as its native platform. For those who prize continuity, Lenovo’s formula here is clear—if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
Internally, Lenovo’s reliance on AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 Go processor is perhaps its boldest play. While the previous Legion Go and rivals like Asus ROG Ally relied on AMD’s Z1 series, the Z2 family marks a generational step—albeit with incremental, not revolutionary, horsepower for the entry-level Z2 Go model (four cores, eight threads, Zen 3+ CPU and RDNA 2 GPU). The tested device comes with 16GB of fast LPDDR5x RAM and a 512GB SSD; the step-up Legion Go S with Z1 Extreme and SteamOS is bundled with 32GB RAM and a capacious 1TB SSD, but at a much steeper price.
SteamOS, by contrast, was tailor-made from the ground up for gaming first and foremost. It boots almost instantaneously compared to Windows, offers a snappy, legible UI that feels at home with controller inputs, and leverages Valve’s maturing Linux backend—meaning modding, plug-ins, and a vibrant community ecosystem are baked in from day one. Every plug-in and system tweak compatible with the Steam Deck is right at home here too. In this capacity, the Legion Go S essentially becomes the “first Steam Deck partner device,” benefitting from direct Valve collaboration for software polish.
And while Windows allows for easy access to alternate stores like Epic, GOG, or even Xbox PC Game Pass, those desire multistorefront convenience will face a few extra hurdles on SteamOS. Yet, with a little patience, the same installs are possible, and for most users, the primary appeal is seamless Steam integration and ease of launch-to-play experiences.
Consider the following real-world gaming results:
In Cyberpunk 2077, the Legion Go S (Z2 Go/SteamOS) posts a 69% gain (39fps vs. 23fps) over its own Windows build—a night-and-day difference attributable solely to operating system overhead. Against Steam Deck, it’s 21% faster in identical (though higher-res) conditions. The Z1 Extreme variant on SteamOS is a full 59% ahead of Steam Deck’s custom chip. For Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the pattern holds: 49fps (SteamOS, Z2 Go) to 36fps (Windows, Z2 Go), while Steam Deck achieves 44fps and struggles only with the higher pixel count.
There’s a caveat to this performance tale: ultra settings and ray tracing are still beyond the grasp of any current-gen handheld PC, including Legion Go S, regardless of OS. But at low and medium settings, the performance surplus is both real and highly playable. In short, Windows’ resource “drag” is no mere myth—Valve’s light-touch OS gives these chips literal new life, and in many real titles, the Legion Go S bests Valve’s own OLED handheld.
This deficit is likely due to the Legion Go S’s brighter but more power-hungry IPS 1200p display—OLED panels like those in the Deck are often more energy-efficient for darker games or UIs. Lenovo’s rapid charge technology, however, partially offsets this disadvantage: you can reach 30% in 10 minutes, 70% in just half an hour, and a full recharge in roughly 80 minutes. For “coffee break top-ups” during quick sessions, that’s a meaningful feature—but marathoners might wish for Steam Deck-like endurance.
Yet the Steam Deck OLED’s display cannot be dismissed: it boasts true HDR support, even richer blacks, and infinite contrast, thanks to self-lit pixels. While the Legion Go S matches or exceeds the Deck OLED for brightness and size, it doesn’t support HDR nor can it match OLED’s dramatic pop and efficiency. In bright sunlight or color-critical tasks, the Go S keeps pace—just not quite setting the standard for future handhelds.
The device’s anti-slip grips, back-button placement, and accessible triggers continue to feel premium at this price range. Build quality is solid, with little flex or creaking, even under stress. Only a missing kickstand mars the “play anywhere” appeal—prop-hunters may need to improvise.
With each model offering near-identical hardware apart from CPU/RAM/storage, the main price justification becomes performance per dollar and the operating system experience. On that front, the SteamOS variant offers hands-down the best balance for most users—unless you absolutely need the all-in flexibility of Windows 11 (and don’t mind a 30-70% performance hit in some games).
The Asus ROG Ally X, meanwhile, continues to lean on Windows’ flexibility and can match or exceed Legion Go S performance in some titles, thanks to its higher-end chips—but at even higher prices and often with spotty driver/software support. Lenovo’s partnership with Valve could also grant it a longer lifecycle of OS updates and compatibility fixes.
However, no handheld at this price is truly “future-proof.” Game demands rise quickly, and today’s Z2 Go will eventually feel its age in AAA benchmarks. That’s less a Lenovo failing and more a reality of handheld gaming, where heat, power, and battery constraints are perennial bottlenecks.
If you crave the most flexible, user-friendly, and performant portable Steam machine currently available, the Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS) is simply the best-in-class, earning top marks for both innovation and value. As more manufacturers enter the arena and future generations launch, the lessons of Windows’ resource overhead and the brilliance of gaming-focused Linux will likely become clearer. But for now, for those on the hunt for a no-compromises handheld gaming PC outcome, Lenovo’s latest should be at the top of the list—at least, until the next big leap arrives.
Source: PCMag Australia Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)
The Lenovo Legion Go S: Familiar Hardware, Radical New OS
The jump from Windows 11 to SteamOS may seem like a small software tweak on paper, but in practice, it transforms the entire user experience—and, strikingly, system performance as well. Physically, the Legion Go S retains its characteristic industrial design: a broad 8-inch IPS screen with a crisp 1920x1200 resolution, a speedy 120Hz refresh rate, and a 16:10 aspect ratio which allows for more vertical content without ugly letterboxing. Lenovo wraps the same anti-slip texture around ergonomic grips, embeds Hall Effect sticks for drift-free control, and positions all ports—dual USB-C, SD card reader, and a unique touchpad—exactly as before. There’s even a new “Nebula Nocturne” dark-purple finish signaling this is not the same Windows handheld.Weighing in at 1.61 pounds (still on the heavier side compared to most competitors except for MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ and the original Legion Go), the Legion Go S’s only physical update is a minor logo change: the signature “Legion Space” button now bears the Steam logo, recognizing SteamOS as its native platform. For those who prize continuity, Lenovo’s formula here is clear—if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
Internally, Lenovo’s reliance on AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 Go processor is perhaps its boldest play. While the previous Legion Go and rivals like Asus ROG Ally relied on AMD’s Z1 series, the Z2 family marks a generational step—albeit with incremental, not revolutionary, horsepower for the entry-level Z2 Go model (four cores, eight threads, Zen 3+ CPU and RDNA 2 GPU). The tested device comes with 16GB of fast LPDDR5x RAM and a 512GB SSD; the step-up Legion Go S with Z1 Extreme and SteamOS is bundled with 32GB RAM and a capacious 1TB SSD, but at a much steeper price.
Windows 11 vs. SteamOS: A Tale of Two Handhelds
What unequivocally changes the game for the Legion Go S is the switch to SteamOS. Since Windows 11 was never designed for compact, controller-based handhelds, its interface and navigation on such a device often feel like awkward desktop miniaturization. Standard actions like file downloads or even game installation demand poking through menu layers with a touchscreen or undersized touchpad. No kickstand, and the natural solution—external keyboard/mouse—defies the device’s portable purpose.SteamOS, by contrast, was tailor-made from the ground up for gaming first and foremost. It boots almost instantaneously compared to Windows, offers a snappy, legible UI that feels at home with controller inputs, and leverages Valve’s maturing Linux backend—meaning modding, plug-ins, and a vibrant community ecosystem are baked in from day one. Every plug-in and system tweak compatible with the Steam Deck is right at home here too. In this capacity, the Legion Go S essentially becomes the “first Steam Deck partner device,” benefitting from direct Valve collaboration for software polish.
And while Windows allows for easy access to alternate stores like Epic, GOG, or even Xbox PC Game Pass, those desire multistorefront convenience will face a few extra hurdles on SteamOS. Yet, with a little patience, the same installs are possible, and for most users, the primary appeal is seamless Steam integration and ease of launch-to-play experiences.
Performance: SteamOS Brings Out a New Beast
The impact of SteamOS on performance is not just noticeable—it’s profound. In benchmark after benchmark, the Legion Go S with SteamOS discs circles around its Windows 11 counterpart. Strikingly, every frame-rate deficit the Z2 Go chip suffered versus the Steam Deck running Windows is erased—and then some—when both run their native OS at comparable settings.Consider the following real-world gaming results:
| Device | Game | Preset/Res | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck OLED | Cyberpunk 2077 (Steam Deck) | 800p | 32 |
| Legion Go S (Windows, Z2) | Cyberpunk 2077 (Steam Deck) | 1200p | 23 |
| Legion Go S (SteamOS, Z2) | Cyberpunk 2077 (Steam Deck) | 1200p | 39 |
| Legion Go S (SteamOS, Z1) | Cyberpunk 2077 (Steam Deck) | 1200p | 50 |
There’s a caveat to this performance tale: ultra settings and ray tracing are still beyond the grasp of any current-gen handheld PC, including Legion Go S, regardless of OS. But at low and medium settings, the performance surplus is both real and highly playable. In short, Windows’ resource “drag” is no mere myth—Valve’s light-touch OS gives these chips literal new life, and in many real titles, the Legion Go S bests Valve’s own OLED handheld.
Battery Life: The Double-Edged Sword of Power
With its 55.5Wh battery, the Legion Go S technically trumps the Steam Deck OLED’s 50Wh cell in raw capacity. However, real-world longevity paints a subtler picture. During standardized battery runs (Baldur’s Gate 3, 50% brightness, 100% volume, radios off, etc.), the Legion Go S with Z2 Go/SteamOS lasts 1h39m before shutting down; the Steam Deck OLED survives for 2h15m under the same regime.This deficit is likely due to the Legion Go S’s brighter but more power-hungry IPS 1200p display—OLED panels like those in the Deck are often more energy-efficient for darker games or UIs. Lenovo’s rapid charge technology, however, partially offsets this disadvantage: you can reach 30% in 10 minutes, 70% in just half an hour, and a full recharge in roughly 80 minutes. For “coffee break top-ups” during quick sessions, that’s a meaningful feature—but marathoners might wish for Steam Deck-like endurance.
Screen Showdown: IPS vs. OLED
Screen quality is often a deal-breaker, and here the Legion Go S and Steam Deck OLED represent contrasting philosophies. The Legion Go S’s 8-inch 1920x1200 IPS panel, supporting variable refresh rates up to 120Hz and 500 nits brightness, impresses with vivid colors, sharp text, and a taller aspect ratio. For fast-paced action or older emulated content, the high refresh makes a difference.Yet the Steam Deck OLED’s display cannot be dismissed: it boasts true HDR support, even richer blacks, and infinite contrast, thanks to self-lit pixels. While the Legion Go S matches or exceeds the Deck OLED for brightness and size, it doesn’t support HDR nor can it match OLED’s dramatic pop and efficiency. In bright sunlight or color-critical tasks, the Go S keeps pace—just not quite setting the standard for future handhelds.
Comfort and Build Quality: Heavier, Yet Ergonomic
The Legion Go S occupies a unique niche: by sticking to the robust, slightly hefty chassis of the original Legion Go, it feels substantial in hand. This is both blessing and curse. If you value stability and wide-grip comfort (think Nintendo Switch with beefy Joy-Cons), it’s hard to beat. At 1.61 pounds, it’s palpable in marathon sessions but not unwieldy—unless you have small hands or truly prize featherweight portability. Only MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ (1.75 lbs) and the original Legion Go (1.88 lbs) are heavier in the current market.The device’s anti-slip grips, back-button placement, and accessible triggers continue to feel premium at this price range. Build quality is solid, with little flex or creaking, even under stress. Only a missing kickstand mars the “play anywhere” appeal—prop-hunters may need to improvise.
Value and Pricing: The SteamOS Advantage
For $599 (Z2 Go, SteamOS), the Legion Go S not only undercuts its own Windows twin ($729-$759) but is also aggressively positioned against the Steam Deck OLED ($649) and other major players. The step-up Z1 Extreme variant with SteamOS sells for a hefty $829, so users must weigh whether that performance bump is worth the nearly $230 increase.With each model offering near-identical hardware apart from CPU/RAM/storage, the main price justification becomes performance per dollar and the operating system experience. On that front, the SteamOS variant offers hands-down the best balance for most users—unless you absolutely need the all-in flexibility of Windows 11 (and don’t mind a 30-70% performance hit in some games).
Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and the State of the Competition
No handheld exists in a vacuum, and the Legion Go S’s most natural competitors are the Valve Steam Deck OLED and the Asus ROG Ally X. The Steam Deck, while now slightly outgunned on performance, retains two clear strengths: its HDR OLED panel and the native, frictionless software experience for the entire Steam library. Valve’s signature polish, regular updates, and a proven modding scene make it the “safe” choice, and its battery outlasts Lenovo’s even at lower capacity.The Asus ROG Ally X, meanwhile, continues to lean on Windows’ flexibility and can match or exceed Legion Go S performance in some titles, thanks to its higher-end chips—but at even higher prices and often with spotty driver/software support. Lenovo’s partnership with Valve could also grant it a longer lifecycle of OS updates and compatibility fixes.
Accessibility, Upgradability, and the Path Ahead
One underreported strength of the Legion Go S is its easy microSD expansion, supplementing the internal SSD and making multi-terabyte libraries feasible for on-the-go play. Plug-and-play support for audio (headphone jack, Bluetooth), video (USB-C), and third-party controllers is robust, thanks to both SteamOS’s Linux drivers and Lenovo’s legacy hardware design.However, no handheld at this price is truly “future-proof.” Game demands rise quickly, and today’s Z2 Go will eventually feel its age in AAA benchmarks. That’s less a Lenovo failing and more a reality of handheld gaming, where heat, power, and battery constraints are perennial bottlenecks.
Risks, Trade-Offs, and Critical Considerations
Despite its many wins, the Legion Go S SteamOS experience isn’t without potential pitfalls:- Third-Party Stores: Access to Epic, Xbox, and GOG is possible, but requires more work (and technical patience) than on Windows.
- Driver Updates: Linux kernel updates can occasionally cause compatibility hiccups, depending on Valve/Lenovo coordination—though this risk is mitigated by the device’s status as an official partner device.
- Heavy Form Factor: Not everyone will prefer the weight, and at 1.61 lbs, it’s on the upper end of handheld comfort.
- Display Tech: The lack of OLED and HDR support may be a dealbreaker for display purists, especially with the Steam Deck OLED as the direct alternative.
- No True “Futureproofing”: The Z2 Go chip, while efficient, is still entry-level. Upcoming generations of handheld chips (and the likely advent of Legion Go 2) are poised to push the envelope further.
- Battery Life: Sub-Stean Deck endurance means shorter play sessions between charges, especially in graphics-driven titles.
The Bottom Line: New Standard for Steam Deck Partners
Despite a few caveats, the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS sets a watershed moment for both the Steam Deck ecosystem and the broader landscape of portable PC gaming. For the first time, a third-party manufacturer has managed to iterate on Valve’s formula—delivering not only parity, but in several areas, outright superiority over the original. By embracing SteamOS and optimizing its hardware partnership with Valve, Lenovo has vaulted ahead of Windows-first competitors, carving out a unique niche as the first true “Steam Deck Plus.”If you crave the most flexible, user-friendly, and performant portable Steam machine currently available, the Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS) is simply the best-in-class, earning top marks for both innovation and value. As more manufacturers enter the arena and future generations launch, the lessons of Windows’ resource overhead and the brilliance of gaming-focused Linux will likely become clearer. But for now, for those on the hunt for a no-compromises handheld gaming PC outcome, Lenovo’s latest should be at the top of the list—at least, until the next big leap arrives.
Source: PCMag Australia Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)
