Lenovo Legion Go S: A Budget-Friendly Steam Deck Rival Hits the Handheld Gaming Scene

Lenovo Challenges Steam Deck with New SteamOS-Powered Handheld Gaming PC

In a bold move to enter the handheld gaming market, Lenovo has announced the launch of its Legion Go S, a portable gaming PC running on Valve’s SteamOS. This development marks Lenovo as the first company outside of Valve to utilize the SteamOS platform, directly challenging the popular Steam Deck.

The Legion Go S, priced competitively at $499, aims to provide a budget-friendly option for gamers seeking a portable PC gaming experience. Weighing in at 1.6 pounds, the device boasts a 120Hz variable refresh rate screen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution. At its core, the Legion Go S is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip, exclusively developed for Lenovo.

Additional features include RGB lighting, a larger battery compared to competitors, adjustable trigger levers, and dual USB 4 ports, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

Interestingly, Lenovo is adopting a dual-operating system strategy. While the SteamOS version is set to launch in May at $499.99, a Windows version will be available earlier, priced at $729.99. This approach allows Lenovo to cater to different user preferences and needs.

Performance-wise, the AMD Z2 Go chip is designed to target higher power levels, potentially offering improved performance over existing handheld gaming PCs. However, this comes at the cost of battery life, with estimates ranging between two to 2.5 hours for demanding games. The device also supports full-length M.2 2280 SSDs, providing ample storage options for users.

Valve has been working closely with Lenovo to ensure smooth integration of SteamOS. The company has confirmed that SteamOS updates will remain consistent across devices, with minor tweaks to accommodate hardware-specific features. Currently, Lenovo is Valve’s sole partner for SteamOS devices.

Looking ahead, there’s potential for a SteamOS beta release for other handheld devices. Lenovo is also considering customer feedback for future SteamOS projects and is reportedly developing a larger Legion Go 2 with detachable controllers and an OLED screen.

Despite this collaboration, Valve maintains its focus on advancing its own Steam Deck line. The company doesn’t view AMD’s Z2 chip as a significant enough leap to warrant a new Steam Deck model at this time.

As the handheld gaming PC market continues to evolve, Lenovo’s entry with the Legion Go S represents a significant development, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape and offering consumers more choices in portable gaming solutions.