Now that the Steam Deck is starting to show its age, gamers are looking for updated handheld devices that can fill the void of the yet-to-be-realized “Steam Deck 2.” For me Legion Go S is it's portable and overall it's a great platform for PC gaming wherever you go.
I first encountered Legion Go S at CES 2025 and finally reviewed laptop about seven months later, in July. While I wasn't too impressed with the Windows 11 version of Legion Go S, the SteamOS Edition naturally stood out – it was the first non-Steam Deck console to ship with SteamOS, an amazingly user-friendly platform that's much faster and more efficient than Windows 11. You can install SteamOS on any laptopsure, but it's nice to have an operating system pre-installed, and official Valve software support ensures there are no bugs.
Lenovo sells two configurations of the Legion Go S, both of which are more powerful than the Steam Deck. There's a $600 base model with a Ryzen Z2 Go processor that most people should opt for, although I only tested the $830 Ryzen Z1 Extreme variant. Both versions max out at 33W TDP in handheld mode, providing plenty of headroom for graphics-intensive games that don't perform well on the Steam Deck, like Monster Hunter Wilds.
The handheld's Xbox-style control layout is also quite nice, especially if you're a console gamer who prefers to use a proper controller. It even has hall effect joysticks. And I think Lenovo has mostly captured the feel of the Legion Go S. It's chunky and bulky, just like every other laptop on the market today, but it's relatively Ergonomic, with a contoured handle and decent weight.
Of course, we don’t want to lose sight of the shortcomings of this handheld. The software experience is a little worse than the Steam Deck, so it feels like a red-headed stepchild at times. Its trackpad is so small that it's practically useless – if you want to play games that require a mouse, you'll have to use a joystick, which isn't really ideal. And Logitech somehow managed to find the loudest roaring engines I've ever heard in my life. You will inevitably turn off tactile sensations.
There's also an 8-inch LCD screen, which will be useless for some and a must-have for others. You might as well get the Steam Deck OLED Edition at this price, but then you'll be stuck with a 7-inch, 1280×800, 60Hz panel. The Legion Go S's screen doesn't look as nice as an OLED, although it's arguably a “better” display in some ways, as it has a 1920×1200 video resolution and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. I appreciate the LCD display in some fast-paced games, but slower games make me yearn for OLED.
If you're interested in the Legion Go S (SteamOS Edition), I suggest you buy the Ryzen Z2 Go model, which retails for a suggested retail price of $600 and regularly sells for between $450 and $500 on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Unfortunately I see some overpriced at stores like Best Buywhich is probably a sign RAM-pocalypse.
8/10
- Dimensions
-
0.89 x 5.02 x 11.77 in (22.6 x 127.55 x 299 mm)
- Game time
-
1-5 hours
- Weight
-
1.62 lb (25.92 oz)
- Chipset
-
AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
The Lenovo Legion Go S truly feels like it's part of the Steam Deck family. With a powerful processor, a large screen, and an attractive price, this is undoubtedly one of the best portable gaming PCs available today.
