Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS Review: The Future of Portable Gaming

The rise of the handheld gaming PC has transformed how enthusiasts, casual gamers, and even professionals interact with their favorite titles on the go. With each new iteration, the quest for the “ultimate portable gaming solution” intensifies, spurred by demand from consumers who want PC-caliber experiences in portable form. Lenovo’s Legion Go S, now available with SteamOS, invites a serious reevaluation of what’s possible in this category. Is it merely a tweak, or has Lenovo redefined a Windows-based device with a purpose-built operating system? Here, we take a deep dive into the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS—its design, performance, and place in the ever-more-crowded world of handheld gaming PCs.

Purpose-built Software: Why SteamOS Makes All the Difference​

Central to the Legion Go S’s appeal is not just its hardware but the critical swap from Windows 11 to SteamOS. Lenovo’s prior attempt—a Windows 11 model—garnered middling praise, with reviewers often hung up on the Windows desktop interface’s unsuitability for a handheld form factor. SteamOS changes the conversation entirely. With its gaming-focused UI, slimmer resource footprint, and deep integration with Steam’s library and features, SteamOS transforms the Legion Go S into a genuine competitor to the Steam Deck and other top-tier handheld PCs.

What Is SteamOS—and Why Does It Matter?​

SteamOS, developed by Valve, is a Linux-based operating system designed explicitly for gaming. Unlike Windows, which caters to a broad spectrum of tasks and applications, SteamOS is tailored for quick boot times, a streamlined user interface, and immediate access to the Steam library. On the Legion Go S, this marriage results in tangible benefits: improved boot speeds, smoother navigation, and, crucially, heightened gaming performance. By minimizing system overhead—a persistent issue with Windows-based handhelds—SteamOS squeezes more power from identical hardware, as demonstrated consistently in real-world benchmarks.

Design and Display: Ergonomics Meets Utility​

Lenovo’s Legion Go S doesn’t radically depart from the formula established by the company's earlier models, yet subtle enhancements make it stand out. Visually, the SteamOS variant shifts from a white shell to a sharper dark purple chassis. This may seem cosmetic, but it reflects Lenovo’s intent to differentiate each model while appealing to gamer aesthetics.

Display Quality: Bright and Bold (If Not OLED-Vibrant)​

With a sprawling 8-inch 1200p display, the Legion Go S is both immersive and practical. Where the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally X opt for more compact screens, Lenovo doubles down on size—resulting in chunkier ergonomics but also a broader, cinematic gaming experience. The 500-nit LCD outpaces most handheld PC competitors in brightness, providing clear visibility in diverse lighting conditions. However, the choice of LCD over OLED has its drawbacks: while colors are crisp and vibrant, deep blacks and the punchy contrast seen on OLED panels like the original Legion Go are missing. For picky gamers who value pure visual fidelity, this is an important trade-off, yet the benefits in price and durability are hard to ignore.

Controls and Comfort: Thoughtful Touches and Notable Omissions​

One of the Legion Go S’s strengths lies in its input design. Hall effect sensors for the joysticks minimize drift—an issue that plagues lesser handhelds over time—while a toggle lets users adjust trigger pull depth, enhancing versatility for both fast-twitch shooters and sim racers. Additional features include:

• Dual USB-C ports (enabling simultaneous charging and accessory use)
• Programmable paddles on the back
• An expandable microSD slot for storage flexibility

But not all is perfect. The SteamOS Legion Go S lacks detachable joysticks and buttons, a feature found on its flagship sibling. Its touchpad is significantly smaller—adequate for navigating desktop mode but far less useful as a genuine alternative input. The omission of a fingerprint reader also stands out in 2025, when this feature is becoming baseline for handheld security and convenience.

Performance: Small Tweaks, Big Gains​

Perhaps the greatest testament to SteamOS is the performance leap it provides—even when running on identical hardware as its Windows counterpart. The Legion Go S powered by SteamOS comes in multiple configurations, but the unit that attracted the most attention is the $830 model equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This is a hardware configuration capable of handling today’s most demanding PC games, yet the shift in software brings surprising additional gains.

Benchmarking Real-world Gaming​

Performance tests provide clear evidence: with both the SteamOS and Windows Legion Go S versions locked at a 15-watt TDP, the SteamOS model edges ahead in acclaimed titles. For instance:

• Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p, medium settings: Legion Go S/SteamOS achieves 58 fps; Windows version delivers 54 fps; Steam Deck OLED hits 53 fps.
• Control at 800p, medium settings: Legion Go S/SteamOS reaches 29 fps; Windows version lands at 27 fps; Steam Deck OLED trails at 24 fps.

These numbers may seem incremental at first glance, but in the realm of portable gaming, every frame counts. Smooth gameplay determines immersion and, especially in competitive titles, can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Why Is SteamOS Faster?​

While no single factor explains the performance bump, the consensus is that SteamOS’s lighter resource requirements and fewer background processes let games claim a larger share of the AMD Z1 Extreme’s capacity. Valve’s ongoing optimization of SteamOS for gaming ensures that not only are framerates better in some cases, but the user experience is more consistent, with fewer software hiccups and less time spent in non-gaming environments.

Energy Efficiency: Still a Compromise​

The Legion Go S boasts a mid-size 55WHr battery, which positions it between rivals in terms of capacity. Under SteamOS, this translates into modest improvements—a direct result of the OS’s efficiency gains.

Real-world Battery Results​

• Metal Slug Tactics: Just under three hours (2:50) on SteamOS, compared to 2:33 on Windows 11.
• Elden Ring: 15-minute battery advantage for SteamOS over its Windows sibling.

While an extra 15–30 minutes per session may not seem dramatic, for mobile gamers on the edge of a power outlet, it represents significant added peace of mind. Still, for longer trips or marathon sessions, the Legion Go S’s battery is average at best—especially at higher TDP settings where performance is maxed out. Efficient, but not exceptional, is the best way to describe its energy management.

Comparing the Competition: Steam Deck and ROG Ally X​

With the handheld landscape more crowded than ever, the Legion Go S must be analyzed in relation to other popular devices.

Steam Deck OLED​

Valve’s Steam Deck, especially the OLED model, remains the default choice for many. Its strengths lie in consistent support, deep integration with the Steam ecosystem, and, in the case of the OLED model, best-in-class display quality for deep blacks and vibrant color.

• TDP Cap: Peaks at 15 watts
• Efficiency: Outperforms Legion Go S at lower TDP levels (great for older and 2D games)
• Price: Generally lower than Z1 Extreme Legion Go S models

ROG Ally X​

ASUS’s ROG Ally X focuses on power and customizability, appealing to gamers determined to extract maximum raw performance—often through overclocking and advanced cooling. However, like Windows-based Legion devices, the ROG Ally X wrestles with many of the same calibration and driver issues that SteamOS elegantly sidesteps.

Where Does the Legion Go S Stand?​

• Performance Headroom: With a max TDP of 33 watts (or 40W plugged in), the Legion Go S can outpace the Deck and match or edge out the ROG Ally X in demanding titles.
• Software Integration: SteamOS delivers a “console-like” feel missing from most Windows handhelds.
• Price: Notably, it is more expensive than the Steam Deck, with the Z1 Extreme config at $830, compared to Deck’s typical pricing closer to $600. This is a key consideration for budget-conscious consumers.

Value Analysis: Does SteamOS Justify the Price Bump?​

For buyers choosing between a Steam Deck and the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS, the higher starting price of Lenovo’s flagship config ($830 for Z1 Extreme) looms large. While Z2 Go config Windows models start at $600, their performance is noticeably lower—so much so that most reviewers recommend skipping them for demanding AAA games.
But what does $830 get you, aside from the Lenovo badge? Essentially, it’s a premium for more power and a bigger, brighter screen, as well as several hardware perks (USB-C ports, programmable paddles, Hall effect joysticks). For serious modern gamers—especially those who want to play at settings above what the Steam Deck can muster—the difference is real, if not overwhelming. Still, as of mid-2025, no other major-brand competitor offers SteamOS preinstalled except Lenovo and Valve, giving this model a unique position for buyers who dislike running Windows on portable hardware.

Software and Update Path: Future-Proofing and Flexibility​

SteamOS’s continued evolution is a net positive; Valve’s regular updates add features, improve compatibility, and squash bugs at a faster clip than Windows’ generic gaming updates. Importantly, SteamOS on the Legion Go S is not locked down—users can access Linux’s desktop mode, enabling a broad set of productivity and customization capabilities missing from conventional consoles.
Where the device falls short is in proprietary hardware features—like the original Legion Go’s detachable controllers—which require tailored software drivers and deeper OS hooks. While Steam Deck enjoys first-party support, Lenovo’s software efforts can lag behind. Cautious buyers should ensure regular firmware updates materialize and that support resources remain strong, as this can make or break the long-term value of a handheld.

Security, Usability, and Quality of Life​

In the current world of portable PCs, comprehensive security is no longer optional. The absence of a fingerprint reader is a glaring omission, particularly when even midrange smartphones offer fast biometric access. SteamOS’s password/PIN login system is adequate but less elegant than what’s possible. On the bright side, the OS’s design all but eliminates pop-ups and distractions, offering a “pick up and play” philosophy that Windows-based handhelds, weighed down by notifications and forced updates, simply cannot match.
Additional pros and cons include:
Strengths:

• Immediate boot into game library or last session
• Fewer background processes and system notifications
• Reduced setup and maintenance compared to Windows installs

Weaknesses:

• Fewer quality-of-life features compared to premium hardware rivals
• Small touchpad, limiting alternate input options
• Hardware security features lagging behind expectations

The Handheld PC Market in 2025: Broader Context​

With expanding options from Valve, ASUS, Ayaneo, and now Lenovo, consumers have never had more choices or more sophisticated portable gaming experiences. Lenovo’s SteamOS-powered Legion Go S carves out a unique space for itself by harnessing strengths from both PC and console worlds. At the same time, its shortcomings—especially in price and lack of certain features—should keep budget and premium buyers alike carefully comparing specs.

Price Trends and Market Availability​

Given the rapid iteration from all leading manufacturers—and the possibility of price cuts as new models come to market—buyers are well advised to monitor discounts and bundles, especially as back-to-school and holiday seasons approach. Early adopters pay a premium, but as previous Lenovo models demonstrate, prices tend to soften within a few quarters as inventories normalize.

Conclusion: A Strong Contender With Unique Appeal​

The Legion Go S powered by SteamOS is more than a simple reimagining of its Windows predecessor. For those who crave a larger screen, enhanced ergonomics, and above all a purpose-built gaming OS, this model is no longer just an interesting alternative—it’s a leader in its class. The performance improvements, though subtle, reinforce what PC gamers have argued for years: software integration matters as much as raw hardware specs.
Yet the device is not without caveats. The higher price than the Steam Deck, the lack of certain premium features like a fingerprint reader, and reliance on firmware support are areas buyers should weigh carefully. For power users who want the best on-the-go gaming without compromising on the familiar feel of a proper PC, the Legion Go S with SteamOS is the strongest non-Valve option available today.
Ultimately, Lenovo’s bet on SteamOS has paid off—delivering a more purpose-built portable gaming experience, closing the usability gap with consoles, and making the Legion Go S a compelling choice for anyone invested in the future of handheld gaming. As the software ecosystem matures, the best may still be ahead for this platform, and for gamers, more choice is always a good thing.

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Source: Engadget Legion Go S powered by SteamOS review: A purpose-built OS makes all the difference