Hands on: Lenovo Legion Go S
Lenovo Legion Go S: Two-minute review
In our 2023 review of the Lenovo Legion Gowhich we describe as a “PC handheld built for PC gamers.” Its stunning 8.8-inch QHD+ display features a 144Hz refresh rate, AMDThe Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU and RDNA 3 graphics deliver superior gaming performance. At CES 2025, Lenovo Launched the smaller Lenovo Legion Go S, changing the design of its original Legion Go handheld while introducing a feature that many PC gaming handheld fans have been craving: SteamOS.
The new Legion Go S features a stunning 8-inch WQXGA LCD display with 1920 x 1200p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and VVR support. While the controller layout remains largely unchanged, this version opts for a non-detachable design, is missing some buttons below the left D-pad, and has a smaller touchpad.
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Other highlights include two USB4 ports, a headphone jack and a microSD slot. The Legion Go S also comes in two color options, depending on operating system Buyer choice. Both come with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or Ryzen Z2 Go, the latter of which is exclusive to the Legion Go S and was co-developed with Lenovo.
The Nebula Violet version comes with SteamOS built-in, making the Legion Go S the world’s first officially licensed PC gaming handheld device powered by Valve’s popular operating system. steam deck.
While using the handheld at CES, I tried out a few games, including Portal 2 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Divided Fate. In addition to pretty good performance in less graphically intensive games, SteamOS performed very well during my time with it.
Playing around with menus and selecting games feels like steam The deck is if not better considering the newer hardware inside. Pressing the various buttons and triggers feels just as good as on the larger Lenovo Legion Go.
Many people have complained MicrosoftThere is a lack of focus on the growing market for handheld gaming computers. While the SteamOS version feels like an evolved Steam Deck, Windows 11 The Glacier White version of the Legion Go S doesn’t offer the same feel.
The first game I tried on this model was forza horizon 5, Even though the game is nearly five years old, it’s still one of the best open-world racing games out there. It runs very well on medium to high settings.
There are other games on the handheld I’ve tried, including Spyro the Dragon: Reignited Trilogy and Indiana Jones and the Circle, Although the latter will not run during our actual operation.
While Windows 11 does offer the opportunity to easily use Xbox Gamepass or other store launchers like Steam, Epic Store, and GOG, Microsoft’s operating system still blocks this configuration like other handheld devices.
Lenovo Legion Go S: price and availability
The Lenovo Legion Go S will come in multiple price points depending on specs and your choice of operating system.
The base SteamOS model will launch in May for $499 and comes with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. For an extra $100, users can buy one with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and a 1TB SSD.
A version of Windows 11 with a Ryzen Z2 Go chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is priced at $729 this month, with a cheaper configuration with a Z2 Go, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage priced at $599 and expected to launch in May.
Lenovo Legion Go S: Specs
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme (Steam OS) | Lenovo Legion Go S Z2Go (Steam OS) | Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme (Windows 11) | Lenovo Legion Go S Z2Go (Windows 11) |
| operating system | steam operating system | steam operating system | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Edition | AMD Ryzen Z2 Go | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Edition | AMD Ryzen Z2 Go |
| graphics processor | Integrated AMD Radeon graphics card | Integrated AMD Radeon graphics card | Integrated AMD Radeon graphics card | Integrated AMD Radeon graphics card |
| exhibit | 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200p) LCD, 16:10, 120Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 | 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200p) LCD, 16:10, 120Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 | 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200p) LCD, 16:10, 120Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 | 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200p) LCD, 16:10, 120Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 |
| memory | Up to 32GB LPDDR5X-6400 | Up to 32GB LPDDR5X-6400 | Up to 32GB LPDDR5X-6400 | Up to 32GB LPDDR5X-6400 |
| storage | Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (2242, 2280 compatible) | Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (2242, 2280 compatible) | Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (2242, 2280 compatible) | Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (2242, 2280 compatible) |
| Battery | 55.5 watt hours | 55.5 watt hours | 55.5 watt hours | 55.5 watt hours |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| port | 2 USB4, 1 3.5mm combo jack, 1 microSD card | 2 USB4, 1 3.5mm combo jack, 1 microSD card | 2 USB4, 1 3.5mm combo jack, 1 microSD card | 2 USB4, 1 3.5mm combo jack, 1 microSD card |
| Dimensions (width x height x depth) | 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.88 inches | 299 x 127.55 x 22.6 mm | 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.88 inches | 299 x 127.55 x 22.6 mm | 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.88 inches | 299 x 127.55 x 22.6 mm | 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.88 inches | 299 x 127.55 x 22.6 mm |
| weight | 1.63 pounds | 740 grams | 1.63 pounds | 740 grams | 1.63 pounds | 740 grams | 1.63 pounds | 740 grams |
Lenovo Legion Go S: Final thoughts
The Lenovo Legion Go S has made some neat advances, offering two different versions to suit different gaming preferences.
So far, the SteamOS version has stood out for its seamless and polished handheld experience, integrating with Valve’s Steam platform to deliver smooth performance, responsive controls and an intuitive interface. The Legion Go S does feel like an improved version of the aging Steam Deck.
Windows 11 models, meanwhile, offer flexibility for a wider range of gaming options but suffer from the same software limitations found in other Windows-based handheld devices, such as difficult menu navigation, inconsistent touchscreen response, and more.
Considering the Windows 11 version is launching first, it will be interesting to see how far it goes with some of the more graphically demanding games currently on the market once we get our hands on it for a proper review, but not yet. No matter which system you use, the Lenovo Legion Go S could very well be the PC gaming handheld of 2025.
