Why SteamOS Matters on This Handheld Gaming PC
The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is a massive change in handheld gaming PCs. This gadget drops Windows 11 in favor of Valve’s SteamOS. The end result is a more gamer-friendly experience.
Lenovo Legion Go S - 2025 - Mobile Gaming Console
Lenovo Legion Go S - 2025 - Handheld Gaming System - AMD Radeon GPU - 8" PureSight IPS Screen - 120Hz Refresh - AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Go Chip - 16GB RAM - 512GB SSD - Glacier White - PC Game Pass Bonus
Key Takeaways
The Legion Go S SteamOS is more usable than Windows handhelds. Still, it can’t quite compare to the overall quality of the Steam Deck OLED. There are still battery life and fan noise issues.
Design and Hardware Changes
What’s New in the Legion Go S
Lenovo changed a few things from the original Legion Go:
- Detachable controllers were removed for a more ergonomic portable form bracketed by a d-pad and back/reverse buttons to navigate menus.
- Physically smaller display (8 inches; previously 8.8 inches)
- Cheap out on resolution at 1920×1200 (instead of 2560×1440)
- Lighter, more comfortable grip
- Choice of two processors: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or Z2 Go
Better Ergonomics
There’s better hand feel on the Legion Go S. The device features a design that is rounder and feels softer than its predecessor. The 8-inch screen is still easy to see. Premium stuff like Hall Effect joysticks is still present.
SteamOS: The Game-Changing Operating System
Why SteamOS Is Better Than Windows 11
SteamOS and the future of gaming on the go. Windows 11 feels awkward on small screens. Despite my general lack of a filter, playing games that necessitated using touch controls was an exercise in frustration. It’s cytotoxic, simply put. SteamOS sails on handhelds out of the box.
Key SteamOS Benefits
- Handheld-optimised interface designed for gaming
- Quick Resume-esque functionality, like the Steam Deck
- Game-specific custom power profile
- Desktop Mode for non-Steam launchers
- Better reliability during gameplay
- Game streaming for services like Game Pass
Performance Comparison: SteamOS vs Windows 11 Party Like It’s 2006 vs 2022
Benchmark Results Show SteamOS Advantage
Testing revealed interesting performance differences. The same Legion Go S hardware plays games differently on each of them. By and large, if there were differences, SteamOS offered better frame rates.
Notable Performance Improvements
- Forza Horizon 5 was an incredible improvement SteamOS-wise
- Half those games exhibited some level of parity between the two systems.
- No games worked any better on Windows 11 on the games we tested
- Driver support is complete in both OS.
Gaming Performance Against Competitors
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor provides good enough processing power. It outperforms the Steam Deck in several games. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is better in Cyberpunk 2077. But the Claw also costs nearly twice what this mouse does.
Display Quality and Visual Performance
Screen Specifications
The Legion Go S features:
- 8-inch IPS display
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 99.2% sRGB color coverage
- 486cd/m2 brightness
- 1495:1 contrast ratio
- Glossy, reflective finish
How It Compares to Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED has better display quality:
- 984cd/m2 luminance (twice that of the Legion Go S)
- Infinite contrast ratio with true blacks
- Anti-glare coating reduces reflections
- HDR support for compatible games
Gaming Performance in Real-World Tests
Smooth Gaming Experiences
The Legion Go S deals very capably with lighter games:
- Hades II plays perfectly at 60fps
- Portal 2 maintains consistent performance
- Indie games perform without issues
Challenging Games Require Compromises
Demanding titles need setting adjustments:
- Elden Ring doesn’t quite make it on native 1200p resolution
- Horizon Forbidden West needs Ultra Low horizons now horizon certainly not Charge HR On the bright side you’ll get the stutters in Framerate1976.
- Dune: Awakening with frequent drops to <30fps
- Resolution scaling is often required for smooth gaming
Hardware Quality and User Experience
Positive Hardware Features
- Responsive control: Hall Effect joysticks offer a more precise and controllable joystick input.
- Adjustable trigger depth enhances gameplay
- Easy upgrade to SSD with the open easy access door.
- Cool chassis during extended gaming
Areas Needing Improvement
Fan Noise Issues
The fan cooling is insanely loud. Downloads trigger loud fan operation. Gaming sessions become audibly distracting. Speakers cannot always conceal the sound of the fan.
Small Trackpad Limitations
The single trackpad feels cramped. It cannot replace thumbsticks effectively. Cursor movement feels inconsistent. Desktop Mode navigation suffers. A mouse becomes almost essential.
Battery Life Performance
Disappointing Battery Results
Disappointing battery life (The Good) vs.
- 1:28 in Elden Ring
- 1 hour 49 minutes in Portal 2
- 1:24 in Forza Horizon 5
Steam Deck OLED Comparison
The Steam Deck’s OLED will last much, much longer. Three Legion Go S models would draw before a single Steam Deck OLED. This has real implications for portability to play for more than an hour or so.
Get the Legion Go S SteamOS if…
Ideal Buyers
- Gamers and enthusiasts who want SteamOS on hardware not manufactured by Valve
- Bigger screen is more important than battery for some users
- Price sensitive shoppers on the lookout for a Steam Deck alternative
- Fans of handhelds who are down with playing on different form factors
Consider Alternatives If You Need
- Ultra long battery life for mobile gaming
- Quiet operation during gameplay
- Premium display quality with HDR
- Compact trackpad alternatives
Pricing and Value Proposition
The Legion Go S SteamOS rivals other sub-£600 handhelds. It is more powerful than the entry Steam Deck. The bigger display makes displaying things on it simpler. SteamOS eliminates Windows 11 frustrations.
Final Judgment: A Step Forward, and a Ways to Go.
The Good
- SteamOS integration works seamlessly
- Comfortable ergonomics improve handling
- Strong gaming performance for the price
- OS pick instead of W11 for the future
The Not-So-Good
- Short battery life limits portability
- Loud fan noise disrupts gaming
- Small trackpad hampers usability
- Display quality trails premium competitors
Conclusion: The Right Step In The Right Direction
Lenovo’s Legion Go S SteamOS shows that Windows is far from the only option for handheld PCs. The user’s experience with SteamOS is great. For your average games, the hardware is sufficient.
But, this instrument can’t quite match the class of the Steam Deck OLED. Fan noise and battery life still suck. The trackpad would continue to be an issue before it’s good enough to replace the PC experience.
Still, the Legion Go S SteamOS is an important step forward. It demonstrates that manufacturers can be successful without relying on Windows 11. Weakness aspects described needs to be considered in future versions.
Should You Buy It?
Get the Legion Go S SteamOS if you want a bigger screen than what the Steam Deck offers. Pick it for Valve hardware (non Valve) on SteamOS. Think of it for competitive play.
Pass it up if battery longevity is your priority. Steer clear if you need it to be quiet. For the best handheld experience overall, opt for the Steam Deck OLED.
I would tentatively recommend the Legion Go S SteamOS. It’s the latest progression of handheld gaming and it shows us areas in need of development. The next generations need to be based on this standard.
